[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONCERN REGARDING THIRTEEN IRANIAN JEWS ON TRIAL

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                       HON. STEVEN T. KUYKENDALL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2000

  Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Speaker, today I express my grave concern 
regarding the thirteen Iranian Jews currently on trial in Iran.
  These individuals were arrested over a year ago for spying on behalf 
of Israel and the United States. During that time, the suspects were 
held without access to lawyers or their relatives. There was no 
credible evidence to support the allegation, much less their continued 
incarceration while awaiting trial. This treatment is unacceptable.
  The trial is now underway, but closed to all individuals who may help 
exonerate the defendants. The trial judge serves as investigator, 
prosecutor and judge with no accountability for his actions. The 
evidence consists of confessions that were coerced and taped by the 
Iranian government, as well as a few telephone calls to friends and 
relatives alleged to be members of Israel's secret police. Like the 
McCarthy witch hunts of the 1950's, these individuals have been deemed 
guilty simply by virtue of their associations. This trial flies in the 
face of international standards ensuring fair, impartial, and even-
handed judicial decisions.
  Today, I have joined a number of my colleagues to shine light on this 
undemocratic process by cosponsoring H. Con. Res. 307. This resolution 
expresses the sense of Congress that the Administration should condemn 
the arrest and prosecution of the thirteen Iranian Jews. The resolution 
reminds Iran that the treatment of these individuals will serve as a 
benchmark in determining future U.S. and Iranian relations.
  I am pleased to see Iran has made progress to moderate its society 
over the last two years. We need to encourage an open dialog between 
our people. However, this trial serves as an important reminder that 
Iran still has a long way to go before it is accepted back into the 
international community.

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