[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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