[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TERRORISM IN THE MIDDLE EAST

  Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, when our country was attacked on 
September 11, countless countries came forth to express condolences, to 
condemn those heinous attacks and to make clear that they stood with 
America in our time of trouble. The statements were a welcome 
reassurance from the family of nations that we would not be standing 
alone in the campaign against terror.
  I come to the floor today to send my condolences to the families of 
the 26 Israelis killed in this weekend's attacks in Jerusalem and 
Haifa, to send my prayers to the scores more who were injured, to 
condemn in the strongest terms those attacks--and the attack that 
occurred just this morning, and to reassure our friends in Israel that 
just as they stood with us, we stand with them.
  Like people all over the world, I went to bed on Saturday deeply 
shaken by the horrifying images from Jerusalem.
  Not only were the attacks timed to occur during busiest time of the 
week in an area frequented by young people, but a second bomb was 
intended to maim and kill emergency response workers trying to assist 
the victims. It is some small measure of consolation that the second 
bomb didn't kill anyone. Still, it is hard to imagine a more inhumane 
plan; hard to imagine, that is, until I woke up Sunday morning, and 
heard reports of the second attack--in Haifa. In this case, a suicide 
bomber boarded a bus full of innocent people just starting their work 
week.
  These coordinated bombings marked the deadliest terrorist attacks in 
the history of the State of Israel.
  For the past 15 months, the United States, Europe, and moderate Arab 
states have called on Chairman Arafat to use his authority to put an 
end to this violence. At times we have heard helpful words, but we have 
not yet seen decisive action. Even this morning, after 2 days of 
international pressure to stop such violence, we hear of another 
suicide bombing in Jerusalem.
  Terrorists have used the territories as a haven to plan and organize 
their murderous assaults, to build their bombs and recruit their 
suicide bombers. Instead of cracking down on this violence, Chairman 
Arafat has seemed all too willing to use it as a negotiating tool.
  Such a strategy is more than cynical. It is dangerous, and it stands 
in stark contrast to the Oslo process that brought the region so close 
to a comprehensive peace just one year ago.
  After Jerusalem and Haifa, Chairman Arafat's words alone are not 
enough. Symbolic actions--rounding up the usual suspects only to let 
them go again--is not enough.
  Concrete steps to bring the planners of this weekend's attacks to 
justice are just a starting point. The world also expects--in fact, the 
world demands--that Chairman Arafat crack down on the organizations 
that harbor and support these terrorists.
  We have already begun to hear a litany of reasons why it is difficult 
for Chairman Arafat to do what has to be done.
  He is not responsible for the attacks, we are told.
  He is not capable of controlling the terrorists. No one is, we are 
told.
  We are also told that Israel's response hinders the Palestinian 
Authority's ability to move against the terrorists.
  None of these excuses will stop the violence. And none is acceptable.
  Time has run out. We are at the point where Chairman Arafat's lack of 
action against terrorists is a question not of capability, but of will. 
Only if he chooses to act decisively can he put this perception to 
rest.
  If not, he will confirm the worst fears of the international--
community that he is unable and unwilling to confront terror.
  Without concrete action, Israel will be left with no choice but 
continue to defend itself.
  The suicide bombings in Jerusalem in Haifa ended 26 innocent lives, 
but they also ended something else.
  They ended any patience the world has for excuses and inaction on the 
part of Chairman Arafat and the Palestinian Authority.
  It is time for them to prove that they have both the ability and the 
will to stop the bloodshed. It is time for them to join the family of 
nations and work to end the specter of global terrorism.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. NICKLES. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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