[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 106 (Thursday, July 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1452-E1453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RENEWAL OF THE IRAN LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL FERGUSON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2001

  Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, it was not too long ago that Pan Am flight 
103 left London's Heathrow airport for New York City on December 21, 
1988. The plane was transporting 259 passengers, including students 
returning for the holidays, families eager to reunite with loved ones, 
tourists attempting to experience this great nation and business people 
on a routine trip.
  Within an hour of takeoff, an explosion ripped through the plan and 
swiftly broke the aircraft into three pieces. The plan landed on the 
small Scottish town of Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 11 residents. If 
the delayed flight had taken off on time, the bomb would have most 
likely exploded over the Atlantic Ocean and we might not have ever 
known the cause of the accident.
  Consequently, our government enacted the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act 
(ILSA) on August 5, 1996, to address the acts of terrorism condoned by 
these countries. The law rightfully mandates sanctions against foreign 
investment in the petroleum sectors of Iran and Libya, as well as 
exports of weapons, oil equipment and aviation equipment to Libya in 
violation of United Nations Resolutions 748 and 883. ILSA has served to 
bring justice to the culprits of these acts of terrorism.
  Since then, a Libyan terrorist intelligence officer was found guilty 
of murder for his involvement in the Pan Am 103 explosion. Despite the 
conviction of this culprit affiliated with the Libyan government and 
further evidence indicating that regime's involvement, Libya still 
refuses to acknowledge any connection to the bombing or pay 
compensation to the families of the victims.
  Today, the behavior that led the United States to take such measures 
against Iran in the first place has not improved, but grown even more 
severe in the past year. Iran continues to condone terrorism and 
recklessly fund groups, such as the Hezbollah, HAMAS, and the Palestine 
Islamic Jihad, who partake in acts of violence against civilians. Most 
disturbing, Iran continues efforts to acquire weapons of mass 
destruction--including nuclear, chemical, biological--and the missiles 
to deliver them.
  The recent State Department Report on Patterns of Global Terrorism 
reiterates, ``Iran remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism 
in 2000.'' The report also notes Iran has provided increasing support 
to numerous groups responsible for intentional attacks on civilians, 
while Iranian agencies ``continue to be involved in the planning and 
the execution of terrorist acts.'' Moreover, Iran continues to provide 
funding, training and logistical assistance to a variety of radical 
groups in the Persian Gulf, Africa, Turkey and Central Asia.
  For many years, Iran has been able to finance programs to acquire 
weapons of mass destruction and support terrorist activity through its 
energy exports, which are where

[[Page E1453]]

most of the countries revenues derive. ILSA is an effective measure to 
deter foreign corporations from investing in Iran and reduce the amount 
of funds available to Tehran to support terrorism and weapons 
activities. In fact, ILSA has succeeded in specifically deterring 
Japanese investment, as well as European allies from investing in the 
energy sector.
  Accordingly, I believe it is imperative the United States send a 
clear message to nations that resort to terrorism by promoting non-
negotiable policies that directly reinforce the premise that these 
actions will not be taken lightly and have serious long-term 
consequences. By not renewing these sanctions or limiting their 
conditions in any capacity, the United States would illustrate that we 
are not concerned with offensive Iranian behavior. I strongly urge this 
Congress not to falter in our resolve to combat terrorism in the world.
  We owe the renewal of these sanctions to the 270 victims of this 
particular act of terrorism, their families, and all the civilians who 
have been affected by these horrible acts of intimidation.
  I pray for the families who paid the ultimate price, who's loved ones 
died. But they are not forgotten and these sanctions serve as a 
reminder of the terrorism that took their lives and the unwavering 
stance we must take. It is our responsibility to ensure that they have 
not died in vain.

                          ____________________