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ID # 225403
WHITE HOUSE
COOTH
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
O OUTGOING
H INTERNAL
I INCOMING
Received (YY/MM/DD)
Date Correspondence 91/03/27
Name of Correspondent: MR. JOHN D. BECKETT
MI Mail Report
User Codes: (A)
(B)
(C)
Subject: submitting two "White Papers" on issues that are on the
front burner - Israel and Baltic states - to help President
as he seeks wisdom and counsel
ROUTE TO:
ACTION
DISPOSITION
Tracking
Type
Completion
Action
Date
of
Date
Office/Agency
(Staff Name)
Code
YY/MM/DD
Response
Code
YY/MM/DD
TC
high Ann Metzger
ORIGINATOR 9/103/27
C 91,03,28
Referral Note:
0402 IC
NSC Exec Sec.
D 9103,28
C
LJ
Dos
Referral Note:
R 9104,15 NAN C9/04/22
Referral Note:
Su memo
/
/
/
/
-
Referral Note:
/
/
/
/
-
Referral Note:
ACTION CODES:
DISPOSITION CODES:
I - Info Copy Only/No Action Necessary
A Answered
C Completed
A Appropriate Action
C Comment/Recommendation
R - Direct Reply w/Copy
B - Non-Special Referral
S Suspended
D Draft Response
S For Signature
F - Furnish Fact Sheet
X Interim Reply
to be used as Enclosure
FOR OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE:
Type of Response = Initials of Signer
Code = "A"
Completion Date = Date of Outgoing
Comments: Beckett in chairman of an influential prayer organization-
strong supporter of POTUS' Gulf policies - and met wl him at
3/7/91 religious leaders meeting in Roosevelt Room
Keep this worksheet attached to the original incoming letter.
Send all routing updates to Central Reference (Room 75, OEOB).
Always return completed correspondence record to Central Files.
Refer questions about the correspondence tracking system to Central Reference, ext. 2590.
5/81
RECORDS MANAGEMENT ONLY
CLASSIFICATION SECTION
No. of Additional
Correspondents:
Media:
Individual Codes:
.
.
Prime
Secondary
Subject Code:
.
Subject Codes:
-
-
-
-
-
-
PRESIDENTIAL REPLY
Code
Date
Comment
Form
C
Time:
P-
DSP
Time:
Media:
SIGNATURE CODES:
MEDIA CODES:
CPn - - Presidential Correspondence
n - 0 - Unknown
B Box/package
c Copy
n - 1 - . George Herbert Walker Bush
D Official document
n - 2 - George Bush
G Message
n - 3 - George
H Handcarried
L. Letter
CLn - First Lady's Correspondence
M Mailgram
O Memo
n - 1 - Barbara Bush
P. Photo
n - 2 - Barbara
R - Report
n - 3 - Bar
S . Sealed
n - 4 - - Mrs. Barbara Bush
T. Telegram
V. Telephone
CBn - Presidential & First Lady's Correspondence
X Miscellaneous
Y - Study
n - 1 - - Barbara & George Bush
n - 2 - Barbara & George
UNCLASSIFIED
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT
TRANSMITTAL FORM
S/S 9106564
Date April 22, 1991
FOR: Mr. William F. Sittmann
Executive Secretary
National Security Council Staff
The White House
REFERENCE:
To: President Bush
From: Mr. John D. Beckett
Date: March 22, 1991
Subject: Submitting Two " White Papers " on issues
that are on the front burner - Israel and
WH Referral Dated: April 15, 1991
NSCS ID# (if any): 225403
The attached item was sent directly to the
Department of State.
ACTION TAKEN:
A draft reply is attached.
A draft reply will be forwarded.
A translation is attached.
An information copy of a direct reply is attached.
X X
We believe no response is necessary for the reason
cited below.
The Department of State has no objection to the
proposed travel.
Other (see remarks).
REMARKS:
Any response reflecting USG policy is likely to
satisfy the correspondent. As no response is
requested, we do not believe it is necessary to send
one.
for Sastin Secretariat Director Staff Sailus
UNCLASSIFIED
S/S-8106564
THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE
REFERRAL
APRIL 15, 1991
TO: DEPARTMENT OF STATE
ACTION REQUESTED:
DIRECT REPLY, FURNISH INFO COPY
DESCRIPTION OF INCOMING:
ID:
225403
MEDIA: LETTER, DATED MARCH 22, 1991
TO:
PRESIDENT BUSH
FROM:
MR. JOHN D. BECKETT
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA
1860-201 OLD RESTON AVENUE
POST OFFICE BOX 2639
RESTON VA 22090
SUBJECT: SUBMITTING TWO " WHITE PAPERS " ON ISSUES
THAT ARE ON THE FRONT BURNER - ISRAEL AND
BALTIC STATES - -- TO HELP PRESIDENT AS HE
SEEKS WISDOM AND COUNSEL
PROMPT ACTION IS ESSENTIAL - -- IF REQUIRED ACTION HAS NOT BEEN
TAKEN WITHIN 9 WORKING DAYS OF RECEIPT, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE
UNDERSIGNED AT 456-7486.
RETURN CORRESPONDENCE, WORKSHEET AND COPY OF RESPONSE
(OR DRAFT) TO:
AGENCY LIAISON, ROOM 91, THE WHITE HOUSE, 20500
SALLY KELLEY
DIRECTOR OF AGENCY LIAISON
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
225403
INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA
March 22, 1991
Gary Bergel
President
President George Bush
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The White House
John D. Beckett
Chairman
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Ern Baxter
Washington, D. C. 20006
Warren Black
Jay Fesperman¹
Dear President Bush:
John Heard
Jimmy Owens
Subject: Memoranda on the Baltic States and Israel
Derek Prince
John Talcott
I deeply appreciate the opportunity that you provided to meet
Larry Tomczak
with you in the small ecumenical gathering that you sponsored at
Executive Committee
The White House. It was truly gratifying to hear your heart, so
BOARD OF REFERENCE
thankful to the Lord for His mercy upon our nation during the
Dr. Ben Armstrong
Persian Gulf War.
Senator William Armstrong
Dr. Robert J. Billings
The Proclamation on Three Days of Thanksgiving is brilliant,
Dr. Bill Bright
and we are doing everything that we can to encourage its
Rev. Gerald Derstine
distribution and observance.
Dr. Richard C. Halverson
Rev. Jack W. Hayford
I'm taking the liberty to submit to you two "White Papers."
Dr. E.V. Hill
These are brief memoranda on issues that are on the "front
Rt. Rev. John Howe
burner," and on which critical decisions are being made.
Mrs. Dee Jepsen
Dr. Tim LaHaye
Mr. Ralph Martin
One is on the Baltic States, and was prepared in conjunction
Mr. E.E. (Ed) McAteer
with the Free Congress Foundation and reflects our combined views.
Mr. M.G. (Pat) Robertson
Mrs. Edith Schaeffer
The second is on "The Significance of Israel," prepared by a
Mr. Paul Weyrich
very sound pastor and writer in Elyria, Ohio. While somewhat
Dr. B.J. Willhite
longer, it is so rich in content and insight, I hesitated to edit
it down.
We trust that as you seek wisdom and counsel, the views
contained in these papers will be of some significant help.
Yours, with great respect and appreciation,
John D. Beckett
Chairman of the Board
JDB/gam
Enclosures: Memoranda on "The Baltic States" and "The
Significance of Israel"
1860-201 Old Reston Avenue
Post Office Box 2639, Reston, Virginia 22090
703/471-0913
Fax 703/471-0745
RECEIVED
91 APR 2 PI. 28
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ORM OPTICAL DISK NETWORK
ID# 225403
Hardcopy pages are in poor condition (too light or too dark).
Remainder of case not scanned.
Oversize attachment not scanned.
Report not scanned.
Enclosure(s) not scanned.
Proclamation not scanned.
Incoming letters(s) not scanned.
Proposal not scanned.
Statement not scanned.
Duplicate letters attached - not scanned.
Only table of contents scanned.
No incoming letter attached.
Only tracking sheet scanned.
Photo(s) not scanned.
Bill not scanned.
Comments:
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ISRAEL:
A Biblical Perspective
A paper presented to President George Bush
by Dr. David R. Walls, Senior Pastor
The Church of the Open Door
March 19, 1991
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ISRAEL:
A Biblical Perspective
More than history, the story of the Jews is high drama---drama with a divine component. It is really the
merging of two agendas, human and divine, widely diverging but oscillating throughout history. As a result, the
current dilemma is by no means limited to Jews and Arabs living in the land; it affects the entire world.
Evangelical Christians have an interest in the affairs of Palestine. Besides a historical regard for its
past and a moral concern for its present, they have a theological interest in its future. They see Israel's return
to the land as an integral part of Bible prophecy and consider her place on the world scene an essential part of
the end-times, in whatever timetable that is construed to be. Jewish resurgence in Palestine has, in fact, a two-
fold significance: it confirms the accuracy of the Scriptures, and it alerts the church to the sovereign activity of
the Lord as He works in international affairs to fulfill His program.
Before embarking on the biblical perspective regarding Israel's right to the land, one prevailing myth
that must be addressed is the assertion that it is Zionism which has been the unsettling and fevered infection in
the Middle East the belief that without Israel there would somehow be a natural harmony throughout the
Middle East and Arab world. This viewpoint twists reality to suggest that it is the democratic tendency of Israel
which has injected discord and dissension into the Near East. Even by the coldest calculations, the removal of
Israel would not alter the basic crisis in the area. For, if there is any lesson to be learned from history, it is that
although Arab states are generally united in opposition to Israel, their political unities do not rise above this
negative posture. The basic rivalries within the Arab world, the quarrels over boundaries, the tensions involved
in lifting their economies from stagnation, the cross pressures of nationalism---al of these factors would still be
there, even if there were no Israel. The Arab states, although some have had significantly varying lines of
development, have all too often used Israel as a scapegoat and anti-Zionism as a policy to divert attention away
from the hard tasks of national and regional development, and from special area problems.
The historical fact is that until the defeat of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire in World War I, there was
no geopolitical entity called "Palestine." No Arab nation ever set historical roots on this soil and no national
claim was ever made to the territory by any national group other than the Jews. They are, in fact, the sole
survivors of the ancient inhabitants of Palestine, who have maintained an uninterrupted link with the land since
the dawn of recorded history. It is one of the failures of our media today to give little, if any attention, to the
fascinating story of the Jewish families and communities who have resided in the Holy Land without
interruption since Biblical times. These people have, throughout hundreds and thousands of years, kept their
national claim to God's ownership of their homeland.
Now having said that, let me suggest that...the basic Jewish claims to Palestine may be summarized in
five propositions, both historical and religious:
1. Their ancient and continuous residency in the land.
2. The Balfour Declaration which guaranteed the Jews a national home in Palestine.
1
3. Their need for a haven from Holocaust. Without a land of their own, the Jews were at the mercy of
every genocidal madman and no national government to which to appeal for justice.
4. Their appeal to the covenants. Israel's divine right to Palestine rests on two Old Testament
covenants. The first was that given to Abraham and later confirmed to Isaac and Jacob. The land of Canaan
(Palestine) was promised to Abraham and his seed forever (Genesis 12:7;13:5). This first covenant is the
bedrock of Israel's claim to the land, both religiously and historically. Even the boundaries of the land were
specified in the covenant: from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates and from the Mediterranean Sea to the
desert beyond Jordan (Genesis 15:18; Exodus 23:31; Numbers 43:1-12; Joshua 1:4). That property was called a
"land which the Lord has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever" (Jeremiah 25:5).
The second covenant was the Palestinic covenant, given to Moses before the nation entered the
promised land (Deuteronomy 28-30). It elaborated on the Abrahamic treaty and in this lengthy treatise God
itemized the conditions under which Israel could occupy the land, but the promise of the land was
unconditional. There are several reasons for this. First, it is called by God an eternal covenant (Ezekiel 16:60).
Second, it is only an amplification and enlargement of parts of the Abrahamic covenant, which itself is an
unconditional covenant, and, therefore, this amplification must be eternal and unconditional also. Third, this
covenant has the guarantee of God that He will effect the necessary conversion which is essential to its ultimate
fulfillment (Romans 11:26-27; Hosea 2:14-23; Ezekiel 11:16-21). Fourth, portions of this covenant have already
been fulfilled literally. Israel has experienced the dispersions as judgments for unfaithfulness. Israel has
experienced restorations to the land and awaits the final restoration. Israel's history abounds in examples of her
enemies who have been judged. These partial fulfillments, which were literal fulfillments, all indicate a future
literal fulfillment of the unfulfilled portions in the same manner.
From the original statement of the provisions of this covenant, it is clear, Israel must be converted as a
nation, must be regathered from her world-wide dispersion, must be installed in her land, which she is made to
possess, must witness the judgment of her enemies, and must receive the material blessings promised to her.
Certainly the full restoration of Israel to its land with complete peace and security will not come until
the return of the Messiah, Jesus Christ at the Second Coming. However, it is important to understand that
since these things have not yet been fulfilled, and an eternal and unconditional covenant demands a fulfillment,
we must provide for just such a program in our outline for the future.
5. The Jews' religious attachment to Jerusalem. This city is central to all the Jewish historical and
religious traditions. The "City of Zion" is essential to the Zionist movement and always has been central to the
nation. In fact, Jerusalem and the Jewish people are indispensable to each other.
Now then, measured today by the divine standard, modern Israel has a human and international right
to the land, but she falls short of her covenant obligations. The promise of the land ultimately is tied to the
nation's response to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. At this moment, that response is anemic. However, that does
not therefore mean, that she should be expelled from the land she now occupies. Obviously, in order for the
biblical promises to be fulfilled, there must be a beginning point of occupation. The statehood of Israel, as
determined in 1948 certainly is that beginning point. Any recapitulation here is a step backward.
2
The promises regarding the possession of the land are not new. But the very number of them seems to
indicate God anticipated that people would not accept these promises at face value. God repeated the promises
again and again in such contexts and in such ways that it not only demonstrates the promise is true--that a literal
land was promised--but it also demonstrates it is unconditional, in the sense of certainty of fulfillment. It is
God's purpose, in spite of human failure, ultimately to give the land to Israel.
The same Bible which predicted that Israel would go to Egypt and return, was literally fulfilled; the
same Bible which foretold they would be carried off by the Assyrians and Babylonians and then return, was
exactly fulfilled; the same Bible which declared the temple would be destroyed and they would be scattered all
over the earth, was literally fulfilled; that same Bible predicted that they also would be regathered from all over
the world.
What then is the theological significance of the return of some Jews to Palestine and of the
establishment of the modern state of Israel? It is hard not to see this return as a sign of God's further
fulfillment of His promises to Israel. Yet this affirmation needs to avoid implying that the Arab peoples (many
of them Christians) are outside God's direct concern and avoid inferring that Christians should offer
unequivocal support for the policies of the modern state of Israel.
Since the land has been ethnically mixed throughout its history, there is no reason why it should not be
so today. We may grant that the passions of the moment make Arabs suspicious of Israelis, and Israelis
suspicious of Arabs, but there can be no real peace and no just solution to the 'Palestinian problem' as long as
the rights of both Israelis and Arabs to live in peace in the land are not recognized.
With the many issues involved, any resolution will require something of a balancing act. Though the
historical claims of the to the land are irrefutable, the Palestinians have a hammerlock on the issue of residency
themselves. They live there, the covenant to Abraham notwithstanding, and they constitute a growing force
both in Israel and in the occupied territories. Likewise, appeals to the British Mandate agreements are moot,
whatever their original intentions. The fact is that both Jews and Arabs defaulted on those agreements. As the
Jews violated the property rights of the Palestinians, the Arabs violated the rights of the Jews in Arab lands.
Yet the most loudly proclaimed issue in the Middle East today, even underlying the Iraqi war, is the cry
of the Palestinians for justice and repatriation. This they deserve, but not without similar justice on all sides.
Other peoples in the Mideast have suffered disenfranchisement of property at the hands of the invaders, such as
the Kurds who were overrun by Iraq.
A reasonable solution to the problem of occupation and land appears to be the option of Palestinian
autonomy under Israeli sovereignty. Under such a plan the resident Palestinians would have a measure of self-
rule and also retain some of the prosperity many have come to enjoy in Israel. The plan would give Palestinians
a non-military autonomy in which they would govern and police themselves, building a unique society of their
own. It would allow Israel to maintain secure borders around the territories and would enhance world peace by
preventing the growth of another launching pad for terrorists. Many variations of this plan have been
suggested. Its viability lies in the fact that such an arrangement would fully conform to Palestinian history, for
the Palestinians have always enjoyed local autonomy under a larger sovereignty.
3
In all of this, it should always be remembered that God's first promise to Abraham contains an
important statement: "I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse" (Genesis 12:3).
This divine promise is not limited in time. It is stated categorically and permanently. Even though Israel should
fall into sin, and should seem no longer to be a recipient of God's blessing, it would still be true that God has
promised that those who bring blessing to His earthly people will themselves be blessed, while those who curse
His earthly people will themselves suffer the results of God's displeasure.
Israel's basic need today is not peace with the Arabs; it is peace with God. Israel's deepest need is not
economic, political, or military, but one she yet firmly resists---a historic encounter with her covenant Lord.
That meeting will do what no military victory could accomplish--inaugurate permanent peace with good will
toward all. For this "peace of Jerusalem" all God's people are exhorted to fervently pray (Psalm 122:6). It is the
grand climax of the biblical drama of Israel, through whom God will bring the full blessing of Abraham to all
the world.
Dr. David R. Walls, Senior Pastor
The Church of the Open Door
43275 Telegraph Road
Elyria, Ohio 44035
(216) 323-4644
4
THE BALTIC STATES
A paper presented to President George Bush
by The Free Congress Foundation
in conjunction with Intercessors For America
Washington, D. C.
March 19, 1991
BALTIC STATES
OUR FREEDOM
As you well know, our country was founded by people seeking freedom
-- religious freedom, economic freedom and political freedom.
Subsequently, our Founding Fathers put their lives on the line for those
freedoms in the War for Independence. Their deep commitment to freedom
inspired the great words which comprise our Declaration of Independence -
- including a listing of God-given "unalienable rights."
BALTIC SIMILARITIES
The people of the Baltic States have been on an odyssey somewhat
similar to that of our Founding Fathers, except that they have not gone
to a new land in search of their freedoms. After years of involuntary
enslavement, the citizens of the Baltic States have experienced the fresh
breezes of freedom, awakening within them the same hopes and yearnings
which drove our forefathers to their irreversible quest. They, too, see
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as part of their God-ordained
"unalienable rights."
The mirage of freedom under the Gorbachev regime has only heightened
these innate longings for real freedom -- freedom to worship God as they
choose; freedom to seek improvement in their quality of life through hard
work, incentive and entrepreneurial creativity; and freedom to choose
their own political leaders and system of government.
This quest, so like our own over 200 years ago, is at a critical
juncture. What comes of these hopes and aspirations will depend, in
large measure, on the response by our nation, and specifically your
leadership.
1
OPTION 1
Acquiesce to Gorbachev's determination to douse the flames of
freedom by forcefully suppressing Baltic independence.
RESULT: Civil war will be inevitable. Much blood will be spilled.
A central government victory will be temporary, at best. In the long
run, freedom WILL prevail. Those seeking freedom will have seen no
evidence of support from America. In fact, they will have duly noted
that America supplied economic assistance to the Central Government,
support which was then used in the process of suppression of the Baltic
people. When freedom is eventually achieved by these people, what then
will be their attitude toward the great proponents of democracy in
America?
OPTION 2
Diplomatically tell Gorbachev that the U. S. will not be a party to
the involuntary servitude of the Baltic people. People have a right to
freedom, and even though we desire a friendly relationship with the
central government, we cannot do anything to aid and abet its repressive
actions in the Baltic states. We will have to terminate our economic aid
to the central government.
RESULT: Gorbachev will probably raise a fuss and test our resolve.
We must stand firm. He needs us more than we need him. Certainly, after
Gorbachev's failure to provide ANY resources in the Persian Gulf and his
subsequent effort to dictate the terms of settlement, he has no basis for
threatening us with the loss of his cooperation. This approach would at
least mitigate animosity toward the U. S. by the Baltic people who do
greatly desire our friendship and will eventually win over communism.
2
OPTION 3
Go one step further than Option 2, by giving direct aid to the
Baltic States.
RESULTS: This would undoubtedly upset Gorbachev, but it would give
a major boost to those seeking freedom. It would produce short-term
animosity from the central government but reap long-term support for and
from the people. We would have materially aided freedom fighters and we
would be on the right side, and the winning side. More importantly, we
would be setting a clear record for all the world to see that we believe
in freedom, both in America and elsewhere.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1.
Denounce measures which suppress pursuit of freedom.
2.
Terminate economic aid to the USSR central government.
3.
Open serious discussions directly with Baltic State
leaders regarding economic aid directly to the Baltic States.
4.
Make a major speech stating our intention to encourage
democratic change and pursuit of freedom wherever people
indicate such desires.
5.
Do it now.
3