[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING OF THE JEWISH CENTER IN ARGENTINA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 1997

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, last week marked the third anniversary of 
the most brutal terrorist attack in the Western Hemisphere. Eighty-six 
people were killed and over 300 injured when a terrorist bomb ripped 
through the Jewish Social Service Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 
July 18, 1994. The building which was destroyed in that bombing houses 
social services and other agencies for the Jewish community of 
Argentina.
  To this day, Mr. Speaker, the perpetrators of this despicable and 
cowardly act of violence have gone unpunished. I am deeply concerned at 
the inability of the Argentine Government thus far to bring a 
successful conclusion to this investigation. The families of the 
victims of that horrendous crime still await the final information 
about those who committed this crime, and all law-abiding citizens 
everywhere await justice for the victims and appropriate punishment for 
those murderers who carried out this dastardly act. It is essential 
that these outlaws be apprehended and punished.
  For 3 years, the people of Argentina and citizens throughout the 
world have been waiting for justice in this horrendous bombing. But 
this is not the only unresolved terrorist crime in Argentina. In 
addition to the 1994 Jewish Social Service Center bombing, the 1992 
bombing of the Israeli Embassy also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, also 
remain unsolved. Swift and certain justice is the only effective way to 
deal with terrorists. If we do not bring this matter to a close, we 
fail families and survivors of those who lost their lives and those who 
have been maimed and injured in these bombings. This only encourages 
terrorists.
  It is essential that the international community work together to 
confront terrorism and to ensure that terrorists understand that we 
will not be swayed by such ruthless and underhanded tactics. It is the 
responsibility of all of us living under the threat to terrorism to 
keep up the pressure to see this issue solved. In memory of those 
victims of 3 years ago, I urge the Government of Argentina renew its 
efforts to bring those responsible for this most horrendous crime to 
justice.

                          ____________________