[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7210-S7211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONDEMNING TERROR ATTACKS IN SAUDI ARABIA
Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the
immediate consideration of a Senate resolution submitted earlier today
by Senators Helms and Pell.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 273) condemning terror attacks in
Saudi Arabia.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate
consideration of the resolution?
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, two days ago a truck bomb exploded near
a U.S. military housing complex outside of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Nineteen Americans were killed and 64 were seriously injured in a
devastating blast that left a crater some 35 feet deep and over 80 feet
across.
I want to express my deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones
in the attack and my best wishes for a quick and complete recovery to
those who were injured. I know I speak for the entire Senate when I say
that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
The truck bombing in Dhahran underscores the fact that U.S.
servicemembers often perform their missions at great personal risk.
Like those U.S. servicemembers who lost their lives in the Persian Gulf
war and the 241 Marines who were killed in a suicide bombing in Lebanon
in 1983, the members of the Air Force's 4404th Air Wing sacrificed
their lives to protect our vital national interests. We should pause
for a moment to reflect on the commitment, dedication, and sacrifice of
all the men and women who have served--and those who continue to
serve--in our nation's military.
The Air Force's 4404th Air Wing has done a remarkable job in keeping
Iraq in check and enforcing the no-fly zone over Southern Iraq. Air
Force personnel--in conjunction with United States Army troops and
military personnel from Britain, France and Saudi Arabia --have played
an important role in preventing war from returning to the Persian Gulf.
Unfortunately, some terrorists object to our presence in Saudi Arabia
and our commitment to protect vital United States interests in the
Persian Gulf. In November of last year, a car bomb destroyed a building
in Riyadh, killing five Americans and two Indians. Those responsible
for that earlier bombing were apprehended and recently punished.
As the intense investigation continues into the truck bombing, we may
learn that the terrorist attack in Dhahran occurred in retaliation for
those executions and continued United States presence in Saudi Arabia.
The identities of the terrorists are still unknown, and the motives for
the attack are still unclear. It is certain, however, that the attack
will not deter the United States from maintaining our alliance with
Saudi Arabia, our commitment to contain Iraq's aggression, or our
effort to preserve the peace in this troubled region.
It should be equally clear that those who carried out the attack in
Dhahran must be arrested, charged and punished
[[Page S7211]]
for their cowardly act. We simply cannot and will not allow terrorism
against Americans to go unchecked. Whether it occurs in Oklahoma City
or Dhahran, terrorist acts against U.S. citizens will not be tolerated.
As President Clinton said, ``America takes care of our own. Those who
did it must not go unpunished.''
President Clinton has rightfully dispatched more than 40 FBI agents
and a number of U.S. intelligence officials to help the Saudi
government investigate the matter. In addition, the fight against
terrorism is the President's top priority at the G-7 summit in Lyon,
France.
Moreover, Secretary of State Warren Christopher recently arrived in
Dhahran to visit the bomb site and U.S. servicemembers stationed in
Saudi Arabia.
Madam President, the distinguished Majority Leader, Senator Helms,
Senator Pell and I have submitted a resolution condemning the terrorist
attack in Saudi Arabia. It expresses heartfelt condolences to the
families and loved ones of those who were killed or wounded in Dhahran.
In addition, it expresses the Sense of the Senate that the United
States Government should devote all resources necessary to apprehend
and punish those responsible for the despicable bombing in Saudi
Arabia. It also states that this terrorist act will not affect U.S.
determination to protect our vital national security interests in the
Persian Gulf.
This resolution is supported by the administration and the
distinguished Majority Leader, as well as the Chairman and the ranking
member of the Foreign Relations Committee. The Senate should show its
unanimous support for it.
Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise this evening in strong support of
the resolution submitted by my distinguished colleagues, the chairman
and the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senators
Helms and Pell. It is most appropriate that the United States Senate
adopt a resolution expressing our outrage at the recent terrorist
bombing in Saudi Arabia.
I note, sir, that among the 19 Americans slain in the attack was Air
Force Capt. Christopher J. Adams of Massapequa Park, NY. I know that
all Senators join me in offering solace to his family, and to the
families of the other victims.
The United States and the community of civilized nations must never
relax our efforts to bring the perpetrators of this cowardly act to
justice. Our commitment to the rule of law requires no less.
I thank the Chair and I ask that I be included as a cosponsor of the
resolution.
Mr. McCAIN. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the
preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table,
and any statements relating to the resolution appear at this point in
the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 273) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 273
Whereas on June 25, 1996, a massive truck bomb exploded at
the King Abdul Aziz Air Base near Dhahran, in the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia;
Whereas this horrific attack killed at least nineteen
Americans and injured at least three hundred more;
Whereas the bombing also resulted in 147 Saudi casualties;
Whereas the apparent target of the attack was an apartment
building housing United States service personnel;
Whereas on November 13, 1995, a terror attack in Saudi
Arabia, also directed against U.S. personnel, killed five
Americans, and two others;
Whereas individuals with ties to Islamic extremist
organizations were tried, found guilty and executed for
having participated in the November 13 attack;
Whereas United States Armed Forces personnel are deployed
in Saudi Arabia to protect the peace and freedom secured in
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm;
Whereas the relationship between the United States and the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been built with bipartisan
support and has served the interest of both countries over
the last five decades and;
Whereas this terrorist outrage underscores the need for a
strong and ready military able to defend American interests.
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns in the strongest terms the attacks of June 25,
1996, and November 13, 1995 in Saudi Arabia;
(2) extends condolences and sympathy to the families of all
those United States service personnel killed and wounded, and
to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
(3) honors the United States military personnel killed and
wounded for their sacrifice in service to the nation;
(4) expresses its gratitude to the Government and the
people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their heroic rescue
efforts at the scene of the attack and their determination to
find and punish those responsible for this outrage;
(5) reaffirms its steadfast support for the Government of
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and for continuing good relations
between the United States and Saudi Arabia;
(6) determines that such terror attacks present a clear
threat to United States interests in the Persian Gulf;
(7) calls upon the United States Government to continue to
assist the Government of Saudi Arabia in its efforts to
identify those responsible for this contemptible attack;
(8) urges the United States Government to use all
reasonable means available to the Government of the United
States to punish the parties responsible for this cowardly
bombing and;
(9) reaffirms its commitment to provide all necessary
support for the men and women of our Armed Forces who
volunteer to stand in harm's way.
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