[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 63 (Thursday, May 16, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H2515-H2516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SAUDI ARABIA AND TERRORISM

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

[[Page H2516]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah has made a lot of 
headlines lately promoting his own plan for peace between Israel and 
the Palestinians. But if Saudi Arabia really wants to help fight 
terrorism and foster peace in the Middle East, they should take a long 
look at what is going on in their own country.
  The Saudi Government not only permits, but also promotes, radical 
clerics who teach violence and hatred against Jewish people and the 
United States. Recently, a prominent Saudi Government cleric held a 2-
day telethon that raised over $100 million for the families of 
Palestinian homicide bombers. The Washington Times reported last week 
that the Saudi Government itself paid millions of dollars to the 
families of homicide bombers and to terrorist groups like Hamas. USA 
Today reported in 1999 that Saudi businessmen had transferred billions 
of dollars to bank accounts linked to Osama bin Laden. There needs to 
be an investigation into where all of this money is coming from.
  Mr. Speaker, we should welcome Saudi Arabia's peaceful rhetoric, but 
actions speak louder than words. Saudi Arabia should be careful about 
lecturing about peace until her own hands are clean.

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