[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 74 (Friday, May 5, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S6223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          TERRORISM IN AMERICA

 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, in light of the recent bombing in 
Oklahoma City, I rise today to speak about a related, but equally 
serious problem confronting both the world community and the United 
States. This problem is international terrorism.
  As a world superpower, the United States has an obligation to help 
maintain peace and stability and to promote democracy throughout the 
globe. By doing this we create and strengthen many international 
friendships. At the same time, however, we encounter those who disagree 
with our goals and actions. Most of this criticism comes peacefully; 
some of it, unfortunately, comes violently.
  The culmination of this violence results in such incidents as the 
bombing of Pan Am flight 109--where 189 Americans died over Locherbie, 
Scotland--or the bombing of the World Trade Center, where 6 Americans 
were killed and more than 1,000 were injured by a terrorist act on our 
own soil. Fortunately, these large scale anti-American incidents are 
more the exception than the rule.
  However, American citizens are often the victims of many smaller 
international terrorist incidents. Of course, this does not mean that 
the average American citizen should fear a terrorist attack while 
walking to the local grocery store. In fact, between 1988 and 1994 
there were only 10 terrorist attacks throughout all of North America, 
compared with the 973 attacks in Latin America, 906 in Western Europe, 
and 628 in the Middle East. Relatively speaking, Americans are still 
quite safe in their own country.
  The problem occurs when U.S. citizens are working, living, and 
traveling abroad. In fact, in 1994 approximately 21 percent of all 
terrorist attacks were directed at American targets. This, Mr. 
President, is a relatively large percentage. Since Americans can be 
found in every corner of the Earth, it would be near impossible for the 
U.S. Government to ensure the safety of all of its nationals. What, 
then, can be done to help protect American nationals and their property 
from the threat of terrorism?
  The answer: We must strike at the roots of international terrorist 
organizations. This, Mr. President, is the goal of the Omnibus Counter-
Terrorism Act of 1995, which I introduced along with Senators Biden, 
Specter, and others. This legislation will make it a crime to raise 
funds within the United States for terrorist organizations while 
simultaneously enhancing the Government's ability to expel those aliens 
who are, or have been, engaged in terrorist activities.
  Mr. President, the sad truth is that fundraising for international 
terrorism now has its roots in America--and has even reached the 
Midwest. In fact, in 1993 a group of Palestinian immigrants, linked to 
the infamous Abu Nidal terrorist organization, actively raised money 
here for terrorism abroad. Surprisingly, this terrorist cell extended 
from St. Louis to Dayton to Racine, WI. After their arrest, three of 
the men were accused of plotting to kill American Jews and to blow up 
the Israeli Embassy in Washington on behalf of the Abu Nidal. They 
admitted to smuggling money and information, buying weapons, and 
planning terrorist activities. In July 1994, they pleaded guilty to 
Federal racketeering charges.
  How can we work as hard to fight terrorism abroad, but allow foreign 
terrorism to flourish within our own borders? The Omnibus Counter-
Terrorism Act will put an end to this ironic situation.
  Mr. President, our legislation is simple, effective and 
straightforward. This bill will create a comprehensive Federal criminal 
statue to be used against international terrorists, while expanding 
current U.S. antiterrorism laws to apply to any terrorist attack on a 
U.S. citizen, regardless of location. By clarifying and elaborating on 
our current laws, this bill takes a firm and stand against terrorism 
both in the United States and abroad.
  Mr. President, our Nation has the responsibility to promote stability 
and to protect our citizens throughout the world. International 
terrorists, however, undermine these goals and sabotage American 
interests. The Omnibus Counter-Terrorism Act of 1995 is not a perfect 
piece of legislation--we do need to make changes so that we do not 
circumscribe civil liberties. Nevertheless, this bill does take a step 
toward combating international terrorism. By preventing terrorist 
fundraising and enhancing antiterrorist laws, this act will strike at 
the roots of terrorism. Not only will it help to make the world safe 
for Americans, it will help to make the world safe for all.

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