[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 30, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8367-S8368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 46--ORIGINAL RESOLUTION REPORTED BY THE 
                     COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

  Mr. HELMS, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, reported the 
following original resolution; which was placed on the calendar:

                            S. Con. Res. 46

       Whereas on July 30, 1997, two terrorist bombs exploded 
     almost simultaneously in an open air Jerusalem market, 
     killing at least 18 people, and wounding more than 100, and
       Whereas this attack is a violent and vicious attack against 
     the peace process and against the people of Israel: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) Expresses the deep condolences of the Congress and the 
     American people to the people of Israel for the loss of life 
     and the serious injuries that have been suffered in the 
     terrorist bombing in the Jerusalem market and expresses the 
     solidarity of the American people with the people of Israel 
     in the wake of this tragic and senseless act;
       (2) Expresses the determination of the Congress to join 
     with the government of Israel in fighting against terrorism;
       (3) Urges Yasser Arafat and officials of the Palestinian 
     Authority to do more to combat terrorism and to eliminate 
     terrorist networks in areas under their control;
       (4) Calls on Yasser Arafat and officials of the Palestinian 
     Authority to cooperate more intensively with the Israeli 
     government in fighting terrorism; and
       (5) Reaffirms the commitment of the United States Congress 
     to peace in the Middle East and urges all parties to work 
     together to bring an end to terrorism and to promote lasting 
     peace and security in the region.

                 the reprehensible bombing in jerusalem

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, this morning, the Foreign Relations 
Committee approved and sent to the Senate an original resolution--
Senate Concurrent Resolution 46--condemning the terrorist attack in 
Israel at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Israel time, when two 
terrorists entered a market in the center of Jerusalem and blew 
themselves up, killing at least 12 Israelis, and leaving 120 wounded, 
at least 20 of whom are described in critical condition.
  Mr. President, the reason for this attack was probably yesterday's 
announcement that the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians 
were about to resume. Clearly, the terrorists decided to try to derail 
the peace process by murdering innocent people.

[[Page S8368]]

They perhaps have succeeded, because the peace process, Mr. President, 
is meaningless if there is no security for the people of Israel.
  It is reported that Yasser Arafat telephoned Prime Minister Netanyahu 
to apologize for the bombing. He has had ample practice in issuing 
apologies and regrets for Palestinian attacks on Jews. But rhetoric is 
cheap. The question all of us must ask is: ``Has Yasser Arafat done 
what it takes to rid the territories under his control of terrorists?'' 
The answer to that is obvious: no.
  The United States has done a great deal, too much, some contend, to 
support the Palestinian Authority. What has the Authority done to crack 
down on terror? Not nearly enough. Palestinian police officials are 
implicated in murders; terrorists are operating freely in areas under 
the Palestinian Authority's control.
  Now dozens of innocent people lie dead and wounded. Not soldiers. Not 
military or police personnel. Just innocent people--mothers, fathers, 
children. There is no peace in this process.

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