[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 97 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE KIDNAPPING OF THREE ISRAELI SOLDIERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2001

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, on October 7th of last year Hezbollah 
terrorists crossed the Israel-Lebanon border and perpetrated the 
cowardly kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers. In the last nine months 
Hezbollah has repeatedly refused to provide any information on the fate 
of these young men, leaving their families and friends in a state of 
torturous limbo.
  Last week it was revealed that the United Nations is in possession of 
a video tape that was made of the scene of this crime the day after it 
occurred. The Israeli government investigators believe that this tape 
may contain material evidence that will help them identify the 
terrorists who committed this act.
  U.N. peacekeepers should be expected to keep the peace. This includes 
assisting in the apprehension of those who violate international 
borders to commit war crimes.
  I have introduced a House Resolution that calls for the United 
Nations to immediately provide Israeli investigators with an unedited 
copy of the crime scene video tape and any other material evidence that 
would help bring these terrorists to justice and to end this nightmare 
for the families of Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad.
  I urge my colleagues to join me to show our strong support for the 
rule of law, for the sovereignty of our ally Israel, and for these men 
held in captivity by terrorists.

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