[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 58 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        SALMAN RUSHDIE AND IRAN

                                 ______


                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 1994

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Tom Lantos and I have 
introduced a House concurrent resolution condemning the death sentence 
issued against British author Salman Rushdie by the Ayatollah Ruhollah 
Khomeini in Iran and calling for its immediate repudiation.
  For over 5 years, Iran has consistently called for the death of Mr. 
Rushdie and forced him into a life of hiding. On February 14, 1994, the 
Iranian Government controlled news agency stated that ``the sentence--
against Salman Rushdie--must be carried out,'' and just last year, an 
organization called the Fifteenth Khordad Foundation raised the bounty 
on Mr. Rushdie to $2 million plus expenses.
  Mr. Speaker, this kind of active threat against human rights, 
tolerance of differing religious views, and the freedom of expression 
is unconscionable, and I believe that Congress should be on record as 
opposing the death sentence condemning Salman Rushdie, opposing raising 
the bounty for assassinating Mr. Rushdie, and supporting efforts to 
protect each person's basic human rights and right of free speech.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join us in passing this resolution.

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