[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 51 (Tuesday, May 3, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE RETENTION OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S COORDINATOR FOR 
                            COUNTERTERRORISM

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today, to express my 
satiafaction that the conference committee on the Foreign Relations 
Authorization Act was able to work out a manner in which the State 
Department's post of Coordinator for Counterterrorism and the 
accompanying office could be saved. Most importantly, the office will 
remain independent, answering directly to the Secretary of State, at 
least for another year.
  I am, however, concerned that the proper consideration will not be 
paid to the selection of the nominee for this post. I do not want this 
position to languish for the 1-year range of the legislation. This 
office cannot be allowed to wallow in obscurity for the term. It cannot 
be ignored. The attention that the office has received from Congress 
over the past months is indicative of our interest and it is not a 
subject we will set aside and forget.
  I am pleased that the House will hold hearings later this summer on 
the office, its role in the fight against terrorism, and the severity 
of the threat posed to the United States today. I hope that through the 
course of these hearings, support will build even further for the 
continued independence of this office and its Coordinator.
  In the near term, I hope that the President will choose the strongest 
possible nominee, to replace the Acting-Coordinator. We must have a 
strong Coordinator for Counterterrorism. If we do not, we will send the 
message that we do not care about terrorism and that our commitment is 
lacking. For those that wish to do Americans harm, that will be a green 
light to attack.

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