[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 92 (Monday, July 17, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H6083-H6085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONDEMNING 1994 ATTACK ON AMIA JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER IN BUENOS AIRES,
ARGENTINA
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution (H. Res. 531) condemning the 1994 attack on the AMIA
Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, urging the
Argentine Government to punish those responsible, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 531
Whereas on July 18, 1994, 86 innocent human beings were
killed and 300 were wounded when the AMIA Jewish Community
Center was bombed in Buenos Aires, Argentina;
Whereas the United States welcomes Argentine President
Fernando de la Rua's political will to pursue the
investigation of the bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community
Center to its ultimate conclusion;
Whereas circumstantial evidence attributes the attack to
the terrorist group Hezbollah, based in Lebanon and sponsored
by Iran;
Whereas evidence indicates that this bombing could not have
been carried out without local assistance from elements of
the Argentine security forces, some of which are reported to
be sympathetic to anti-Semitic positions and to have
participated in the desecration of Jewish cemeteries in
recent years;
Whereas additional evidence indicates that the tri-border
area where Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil meet, and which is
known to be rife with terrorist activity as well as drug and
arms smuggling, was used to channel resources for the purpose
of carrying out the bombing attack;
Whereas the 6 years since the bombing have been marked by
efforts to minimize the involvement of these Argentine
security elements;
Whereas Argentine officials have acknowledged that there
was negligence in the initial phases of the investigation and
that the institutional and political conditions must be
created to advance the investigation of this terrorist
attack;
Whereas failure to duly punish the culprits of this act
serves merely to reward these terrorists and help spread the
scourge of terrorism throughout the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas the democratic leaders of the Western Hemisphere
issued mandates at the 1994 and 1998 Summits of the Americas
that they condemn terrorism in all its forms and that they
will, using all legal means, combat terrorist acts anywhere
in the Americas with unity and vigor;
Whereas the Government of Argentina supports the 1996
Declaration of Lima To Prevent, Combat and Eliminate
Terrorism, which refers to terrorism as a serious form of
organized and systematic violence that is intended to
generate chaos and fear among the population, results in
death and destruction, and is a reprehensible criminal
activity, as well as the 1998 Commitment of Mar del Plata
which calls terrorist acts serious common crimes that erode
peaceful and civilized coexistence, affect the rule of law
and the exercise of democracy, and endanger the stability of
democratically elected constitutional governments and the
socioeconomic development of our countries;
Whereas the Government of Argentina was successful in
enacting a law on cooperation from defendants in terrorist
matters, a law that will be helpful in pursuing full
prosecution in this and other terrorist cases; and
Whereas it is the long-standing policy of the United States
to stand firm against terrorist attacks wherever and whenever
they occur and to work with its allies to ensure that justice
is done: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) reiterates its condemnation of the attack on the AMIA
Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July
1994, and honors the victims of this heinous act;
(2) strongly urges the Government of Argentina to fulfill
its international obligations and its promise to the
Argentine people by pursuing the local and international
connections to this act of terrorism, wherever they may lead,
and to duly punish all those who were involved;
(3) calls on the President to continue to raise this issue
in bilateral discussions with Argentine officials and to
underscore the United States concern regarding the 6-year
delay in the resolution of this case;
(4) recommends that the United States Representative to the
Organization of American States seek support from the
countries comprising the Inter-American Committee Against
Terrorism to assist, if required by the Government of
Argentina, in the investigation of this terrorist attack;
(5) encourages the President to direct United States law
enforcement agencies to
[[Page H6084]]
provide support and cooperation to the Government of
Argentina, if requested, for purposes of the investigation
into this bombing and terrorist activities in the tri-border
area; and
(6) desires a lasting, warm relationship between the United
States and Argentina built on mutual abhorrence of terrorism
and commitments to peace, stability, and democracy in the
Western Hemisphere.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).
General Leave
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on House Resolution 531.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the sixth anniversary
of the heinous terrorist act against the AMIA Jewish Community Center
in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Six years ago, on July 18, 1994, a dark
cloud of fear and anguish enveloped this South American city when 86
innocent human beings, including frail little girls and boys, were
killed, and 300 were wounded as a result of the bombing.
However, 6 years later, Mr. Speaker, sorrow, despair and frustration
still permeate the air. Six years later, justice, peace, and security
continue to be elusive abstract concepts. But as Argentina's current
president, Fernando de la Rua, has stated, it is imperative to keep the
memory alive, because forgetfulness is a shelter for impunity.
This leads to the primary reason why I introduced this resolution, to
renew and redirect international attention in order to ensure that
justice will be finally served. Further, this resolution serves to
honor and remember the victims; to outline the evidence supporting the
international and local connections to the bombing; to bring to the
forefront reported attempts by elements of the Argentine security
forces to derail the main investigation by hiding evidence and creating
false leads.
The need to effectively address the alleged Argentine participation
for this terrorist act was underscored by the de la Rua administration
in April of this year when it established a task force to look into the
corrupt police officers and their possible role in the financing of the
attack, in providing the vehicle used in the bombing. This task force
will also pursue undeveloped leads and information regarding the
international Iranian terrorist network which has orchestrated and
carried out horrific acts against defenseless human beings.
{time} 1630
It was clear from the onset that this attack and the earlier one on
the Israeli Embassy were part of a campaign of violence targeted at the
Jewish community in Argentina and throughout the world by radical
militant groups in the Middle East. Circumstantial evidence would later
support this connection, attributing the bombing to the terrorist group
Hezbollah based in Lebanon and sponsored by Iran.
Additional evidence indicates that the tri-border area, where
Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil meet, were used to channel resources for
the purpose of carrying out this terrorist attack. Other circumstantial
data indicates that this bombing could not have been carried out
without local assistance from elements of the Argentine security
forces. This link was supported by the indictment of 15 military and
police officers, with five described as ``necessary parties to the
bombing'' charged with multiple counts of murder, conspiracy and
corruption.
The wounds will not begin to heal until the investigation into the
AMIA bombing is pursued with vigor and determination and until
effective action is taken by all to ensure that justice is served. The
scars will serve as a constant reminder of the need for vigilance in
our hemisphere, of the need for democratic countries to unite in
condemning such horrid acts and work together to protect the right of
every citizen in every society to live in peace and liberty free from
the threat of terrorism.
This resolution is an important first step toward achieving that
goal. It is a call to action. It sends an unequivocal message to all
that the United States considers the resolution of this case to be a
priority, that it is prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure
this end, working both with regional neighbors as well as with the
Argentine government, providing them with assistance when requested.
Six years have passed. We cannot wait any longer. It is time for the
rule of law to be seen and to be heard in this important case. We
cannot allow justice to be held captive by inaction.
For the sake of the victims, for the sake of hemispheric and global
security, and for the sake of justice, I ask our colleagues to support
this resolution today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, first I want to commend my very good friend and
distinguished colleague from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for crafting a
very important, very powerful, and very eloquent resolution. And, of
course, I rise in strong support of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, a dark cloud hangs over the honor of Argentina. This
neighbor of ours in this hemisphere has tolerated now two heinous
terrorist acts, a terrorist act against the Embassy of Israel and the
terrorist act against the Jewish Community Center in Argentina, to go
unpunished for years.
The evidence is clear. Although the direct perpetrators are most
likely to have been members of the terrorist group Hezbollah, supported
by the Government of Iran, the complicity and participation of
Argentinian police and security forces is beyond any doubt. This
corrupt, far right-wing partnership with Islamic terrorism in our
hemisphere cannot be tolerated.
I welcome the statement of the new president of Argentina assuring us
that he will do his utmost at this late stage to bring the perpetrators
to justice and to attempt to clean and clear the honor and reputation
of Argentina. But we will not rest until these things happen.
Eighty-six innocent men, women and children lost their lives. Over
300 innocent men, women and children were wounded for no reason except
their religious affiliation. There is no room in this hemisphere for
terrorist acts of any kind, certainly for terrorist acts as hate crimes
directed against various religious groups. It is long overdue for the
authorities in Argentina to close this chapter, which is a chapter that
has brought infamy to that nation.
Following the bombing of the Israeli Embassy, this bombing of a
community center in the heart of Argentina brings back memories of the
darkest days of the Second World War when innocent men, women and
children, for no reason whatsoever, were massacred and murdered.
Argentina must come clean. The new President of Argentina now has an
opportunity to instruct all authorities to pursue this case with
diligence and determination. Until the perpetrators are brought to
justice, a question mark will hang over the relationship of Argentina
to all other civilized nations.
I commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen), and I call on all of my colleagues to approve this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
(Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 531,
for it properly places the U.S. Congress on record in marking the
tragic occasion of the sixth anniversary of the July 18, 1994,
terrorist bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires.
Eighty-seven people lost their lives, and 200 to 300 people were
injured in that attack.
This Member thanks his colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms.
[[Page H6085]]
Ros-Lehtinen), from the Committee on International Relations, the
distinguished chairwoman of the Subcommittee on International Policy
and Trade, for introducing this resolution.
Last year, the Argentine Congress passed important legislation that
allows Investigating Judge Juan Jose Galeano to engage in plea
bargaining. Nonetheless, the trial of the Argentinian citizens charged
with complicity in this terrorist bombing has, regrettably, been much
delayed.
During a recent visit to the United States, Argentina's president,
Fernando de la Rua, made a point of visiting the Holocaust museum and
issuing a public apology for the role Argentina played in harboring
Nazis during World War II.
President De la Rua said, ``Today, before you and before the world, I
want to express my most sincere pain and to ask forgiveness that this
happened, that Nazis were hidden among us.''
Solving this terrible crime and bringing those responsible to justice
is the proper way to bring healing to the still open wounds in
Argentina.
Mr. Speaker, this Member urges his colleagues to join in unanimously
supporting this resolution. Again, I commend my colleague the gentleman
from California (Mr. Lantos) for his outstanding statement and
especially the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) for her eloquant statement and for her introduction and able
movement of this legislation to the House floor.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for his powerful and eloquent statement. I want
to thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for her
diligent and outstanding work on this issue.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lantos) for his eloquent words, for his skilled
leadership, and for his deep knowledge of history that has helped us to
pass this resolution today. I also thank our colleague the gentleman
from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for his constant support of all items
worthy of support, and certainly our fight against terrorism is on that
list. I thank the gentleman for that.
I also thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Gilman) for his
assistance in allowing this resolution to be brought up to the floor so
rapidly.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to quote from Ambassador
Aviran of Israel, whom I believe encapsulated the need for this
resolution and for justice. He said, ``Crimes that go unpunished are
crimes that get repeated.''
The time to act is now. Six years more should not be allowed to pass
before the guilty are brought to justice.
I would like to especially commend the organization B'nai B'rith for
its efforts on behalf of the Argentine Jewish community and on behalf
of justice in this case. May that day of justice come quickly.
Therefore, I ask my colleagues to support House Resolution 531.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, this resolution properly places the U.S.
Congress on record in marking the tragic occasion of the sixth
anniversary of the July 18, 1994 terrorist bombing of the AMIA Jewish
Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eight-seven people lost
their lives and two hundred people were injured in this attack.
I thank my colleague from our International Relations Committee, the
distinguished chairwoman of the Subcommittee on International Economic
Policy and Trade, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, for introducing this
resolution.
I have long been interested in seeing that this heinous crime is
resolved and those responsible are brought to justice.
Last year, the Argentine Congress passed important legislation that
allows Investigating Judge Juan Jose Galeano to engage in plea
bargaining. Nonetheless, the trial of the Argentine citizens charged
with complicity in this terrorist bombing has, regrettably, been unduly
delayed. Six years is too long a time to let pass without justice.
When the local trial does finally get underway, I urge Argentina's
authorities to invite and permit international observers to witness the
trial proceedings.
During a recent visit to the United States, Argentina's president,
Fernando de la Rua, made a point of visiting the Holocaust museum and
issuing a public apology for the role Argentina played in harboring
Nazis after World War II.
President De La Rua said, ``Today, before you and before the world, I
want to express my most sincere pain and to ask forgiveness that this
happened, that Nazis were hidden among us.''
I believe in President De La Rua's sincerity and thank him for his
important statement.
Solving this terrible crime and bringing those responsible to justice
is the proper way to bring healing to the still open wounds in
Argentina.
I urge my colleagues to join me in adopting this important
resolution.
Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 531 and would
like to add my voice to those marking the sixth anniversary of the
cowardly bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aries,
Argentina. This searing event horrified the world and has,
unfortunately, become a barometer for the political culture of
Argentina.
While we commend the statements of interest and commitment made by
President Fernando de la Rua, I, along with many in this House, remain
wary, in light of the six years of stumbling, ineffectual investigation
and the reality of justice denied. The truth in this matter points
unmistakably to elements within the Argentine state and unfortunately,
this reality has been a source of delay and obfuscation rather than a
catalyst for action by Agentine investigators.
In addition to this disturbing procrastination on the part of
investigators to dig deep into the roots of official involvement, the
search for justice in Argentina has also skipped lightly over the
possible involvement of Hizbollah, Iran and Syria. Notwithstanding the
myriad statements pledging an absolute commitment to the search for
truth and justice, the reality of the Argentine investigation has been
a half-hearted, poorly funded, undermanned, uninspired, slow-motion
search for answers.
Mr. Speaker, six years ago in Buenos Aires, 86 people were killed and
hundreds more were injured by a car bomb created and delivered by an
unknown group of conspirators, who targeted their victims because of
their Jewish faith. Cowardly and offensive, the bombing of the AMIA
Jewish Community Center came little more than two years after the
bombing of the Israeli embassy in the same city. By all accounts,
Argentina's response to these two horrific crimes has been
lackadaisical and disappointing. The victims of these crimes, old and
young, male and female, deserve better than to have their quest for
justice fade in a bureaucratic haze.
I want to commend my colleagues Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen and
Congressman Lantos for their excellent leadership on this important
resolution, which I strongly urge this House to adopt. Putting the
House on record on this matter is a vital step toward ensuring a
genuine and effective investigation, and ultimately, a fair trial which
provides just punishment for the guilty parties.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen)
that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res.
531, as amended.
The question was taken.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________