[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                            MORNING BUSINESS

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 COMMENTING ON SENATE PASSAGE OF HIS AMENDMENT ON THE STATE DEPARTMENT 
                        COUNTERTERRORISM OFFICE

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the Senate 
passage of my amendment to the State Department authorization bill, 
H.R. 2333.
  The amendment I attached to the bill, reestablishing the Office of 
Counterterrorism, is a necessary step in light of the continuing threat 
that America faces from the scourge of international terrorism.
  While, I had hoped to maintain the Office's previous status as 
reporting directly to the Secretary of State, I am nevertheless pleased 
that I was able to come to an accommodation with the administration to 
preserve this important office along the lines of the proposed State 
Department reorganization. I was very concerned that the 
Counterterrorism Office would be left out of the picture. If this were 
to happen, we would send the message that the fight against terrorism 
is no longer a priority. Fortunately, this will not happen.
  The essence of my amendment is that the Assistant Secretary of State 
for Counternarcotics, International Crime, and Counterterrorism, will 
also be the State Department's Coordinator for Counterterrorism. Under 
him will serve a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, who will be 
confirmed by the Senate at the rank of Ambassador. This DAS/Ambassador 
will, as his sole responsibility, handle the day-to-day operations of 
the Office. Furthermore, the Secretary of State has committed--and will 
do so in writing--to making an appointment to this position to fulfill 
the intent of the sense of the Senate language of my amendment in 
regard to the DAS/Ambassador position.
  The Secretary of State's commitment to making this appointment at 
this level, will ensure the proper rank and status for the day-to-day 
operations of the Office and provide the Office with stature enabling 
it to operate effectively with the other branches of the Government 
that participate in the counterterrorism fight.
  I am glad that we could come to agreement with the administration on 
this issue. I would not have wanted to see this Office simply 
disappear. Now, what is important is that we press on with the fight 
against terrorism, and work to eliminate this scourge once and for all.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of my remarks be included in 
the Record with other statements in connection to the bill, H.R. 2333, 
the State Department authorization bill.

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