[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        SAUDI ARABIA AND HARBERT

  (Mr. HILLIARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the ill-treatment 
of some American firms doing business in Saudi Arabia. This matter has 
not been resolved despite repeated efforts by this body. I am speaking 
today of a claim by the Harbert-Howard companies, which has been the 
subject of a great deal of protest by Members of Congress based upon 
clear evidence we have which demonstrates the deliberate obstruction of 
justice by the Saudi Arabian courts.
  Many Congressmen and over 50 Senators have signed letters to the 
Saudi Government urging them to comply with section 9140 of the Defense 
Appropriations Act of fiscal year 1993. This piece of American law 
requires the Saudi Government to resolve satisfactorily the commercial 
claims filed by the United States companies against them. Since this 
law passed, numerous individual Members and Senators have communicated 
with them, and over 12 joint congressional letters have been delivered 
to the Saudi Arabian Government. All of this has been done to no avail.
  The Saudi's have treated the Congress of the United States like some 
out-cast poor relation, and I feel it is time to show them we mean 
business. To this end, I request your support of H.R. 4096, which I 
introduced before this body on March 21, 1994. My bill reaffirms the 
original intent of this Congress by securing satisfactory resolution of 
these American claims as mandated by section 9140 of the Department of 
Defense Appropriations Act.

  The language of this bill is straight forward. It will have no impact 
on the Saudi participation in the peace process, nor will it adversely 
affect the diplomatic relations between our two Nations. It will simply 
right a wrong against American companies which receive unfair treatment 
in Saudi Arabia.
  My fellow members, many of us have attempted to resolve this matter 
outside of this hall of the people, yet Ambassador Bandar, and the 
government he represents continue to mock our requests for justice and 
fair-play. This can not be tolerated.
  Let me give you a brief synopsis of the events which have transpired 
regarding our request for fair-play. In the case of Harbert, a clear 
case of obstruction of justice is present throughout all of their 
dealing with the Saudis. This evidence may be found within our own 
Congressional Record, as well as the three joint letters signed by 70 
members of this body during the proceedings of this claim in January of 
1992. Ambassador Bandar stated that he has conducted a thorough review 
process of the claim. However, his review process was not fair. The 
congress has since asked him twice to implement a fair review process, 
yet, the prince has twice refused our request. Also, I would like to 
remind this body that the Saudi Government has manipulated our own 
state department officials to provide erroneous testimony to the 
congress regarding payments to Harbert-Howard companies. This is 
evident in a state department letter of October 6, 1992, and in 
testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on September 23, 
1992 when the Saudi's were requesting our F-15 aircraft.
  In conclusion, justice must prevail. By voting for this bill, you can 
send the Saudi Arabians a message that the principles of justice and 
fair play are still observed by the American people.

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