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his Week
Washington Watch
Cheney's Record
The GOP vice presidential selection has
a mixed record on Israel.
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JAMES D. BESSER
Washington Correspondent
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reject appeals for Pollard's release.
"We believe that granting clemency
to Mr. Pollard would encourage those
who would harm our country," the
signers said. The list included Caspar
Weinberger, who as defense secretary
pressed for the harshest possible sen-
tence for Pollard.
Cheney also clashed with pro-Israel
groups over his active support for
arms sales to Arab countries.
his week's selection of Dick
Cheney for the number
two slot on the Republican
ticket is unlikely to change
many Jewish votes in the fall, political
experts say.
Cheney a former congressman,
defense secretary and White House
chief of staff, now Gov. George
W. Bush's surprise choice as his
vice-presidential candidate —
brings to the ticket a decidedly
mixed record on Israel, especially
during his 10 years in the House
of Representatives.
But he developed close work-
ing relations with Israeli military
officials during his tenure as
defense secretary from 1989 to
1993, Jewish leaders say.
Cheney also offers one of the
most conservative voting records
on key domestic issues, including
gun control and abortion. He was
one of only four lawmakers to
vote against a ban on plastic guns
in 1988, one of 21 to vote against
a ban on "cop killer" bullets.
According to published
George W Bush and Dick Cheney
accounts, Cheney was more will-
ing to criticize Israel than most of
Morris Amitay, the former execu-
his congressional colleagues. In 1982,
tive director of the American Israel
he blasted Israel's invasion of southern
Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC),
Lebanon and said he was disappointed
said Cheney had little to do with pro-
President Ronald Reagan wasn't
Israel activists during his House years.
"tougher on Israel."
"He didn't stick out; he voted the
In an interview with the anti-Israel
same as most people with far right-
Washington Report on Middle East
wing constituencies. Mostly, he just
Affairs after his selection as defense
wasn't a player."
secretary in 1989, he said he would
Cheney's ties to Jewish groups
press for a "more balanced" Mideast
improved during hisPentagon years.
policy. The article cites a statement by
"He had particularly close ties to the
Cheney in 1982 favoring the creation
Israeli defense establishment and with
of a Palestinian state — long before
Prime Minster (Yitzhak) Shamir," said
officials in Jerusalem and Washington
Charles Brooks, director of the
accepted the concept.
National PAC, a pro-Israel political
Jews who hoped a Republican pres-
funding group. "During his tenure,
ident might release convicted Israeli
strategic cooperation blossomed."
spy Jonathan Pollard may be in for a
Brooks said Cheney has another
disappointment. After Pollard's arrest,
important attribute for Jewish voters:
Cheney was particularly harsh in criti-
During the Bush administration, he
cizing Israel for its espionage opera-
was not close to Secretary of State
tion. And two years ago, he joined six
James Baker, who remains a flash
other former defense chiefs in a public
point of controversy for many.
letter urging President Bill Clinton to