[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 73 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WAR ON TERROR

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise to discuss recent events that are 
positive steps in the war on terror for the United States and our 
allies abroad. The first is the announcement that the United States and 
foreign counterterrorism officials have worked together to make a 
series of arrests that appear to be linked to a web of Islamic 
extremists in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The recent death 
of Iraqi insurgent leader and al-Qaida member Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi is 
another. These are significant victories against those who wish our 
country harm.
  Last week, Canadian officials arrested 17 people for allegedly 
plotting to carry out a campaign of bombings, kidnappings and other 
terrorist acts in Ottawa and Toronto. The arrests were made possible by 
the monitoring of Internet chat rooms and e-mail accounts tied to 
suspected Islamic extremists. The arrests came after three tons of 
ammonium nitrate--common garden fertilizer that is easily transformed 
into an explosive--was allegedly purchased from undercover officers. 
Two of 17 suspected terrorists were caught trying to smuggle guns and 
ammunition from the United States into Canada via the Peace Bridge last 
summer.
  These individuals were allegedly using the Internet to communicate 
with terrorist facilitators abroad, such as a 22-year-old Web site 
operator with direct links to al-Qaida who was arrested by British 
police last October on charges of financing and supporting terrorist 
activities. Authorities believe the Web site operator was in contact 
with the individuals in the Canadian arrests, as well as two men in the 
U.S., sharing surveillance videos and other information for potential 
terrorist attacks. Included in the surveillance videos were many 
Washington, DC, landmarks.
  Also, just last Tuesday British police arrested an American student 
in London as he prepared to board a flight to Pakistan. He was wanted 
in New York for allegedly providing military equipment to people who 
took it to members of Osama bin Laden's terrorist organization in 
Pakistan. Authorities have not ruled out a connection to the Canadian 
arrests.
  Here in the U.S., the New York and Atlanta joint terrorism task 
forces recently arrested two men in connection with an alleged 
terrorist plot. The plot included discussions about blowing up oil 
refineries and disabling navigational aids on airplanes. The 
investigation began when California police arrested two men for a gas 
station robbery. A subsequent search of their home turned up documents 
listing the addresses of U.S. military recruiting stations, the Israeli 
Consulate, and synagogues in the Los Angeles area. The investigation 
eventually revealed the existence of a terrorist cell that had been 
spawned by a small radical group operating in Folsom Prison who 
considered themselves the ``al-Qaida of California.''
  American counterterrorism officials are joining forces with their 
colleagues around the world to unravel intricate webs of terrorist 
organizations that would do us great harm if not for the efforts of 
these countterror experts. I commend them for their efforts to discover 
terrorist plots and bring them to a stop before they are carried out.
  Much further from home, but still close to our hearts are the brave 
men and women of our Armed Forces deployed in the Middle East and 
Afghanistan.
  I thank our servicemen and servicewomen in the U.S. Armed Forces for 
their on-going service to their country, their commitment to American 
ideals, and their determination to win the global war on terror. We 
need to continually express our gratitude to the families of the U.S. 
military personnel, especially those families who have lost loved ones 
during our most recent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
  Most important, our Armed Forces continue to seek out terrorists to 
disrupt their plans both in the Middle East and abroad. They also 
continue to provide support and guidance to the Iraqi and Afghani 
people in their newborn democracies. With their steadfast courage, our 
citizens in uniform have taken the battle to the enemy and achieved 
success.
  Their most recent victory was the elimination of insurgent leader and 
al-Qaida member Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. His death is an enormous blow to 
those who continue to terrorize the Iraqi people. Zarqawi, whom Osama 
Bin Laden has heaped praise upon, has lead a horrific campaign against 
our troops in Iraq and against the Iraqi people. I am thankful to say 
that this mass murderer will no longer be able to carry on attempts at 
undermining the Iraqi national government and the coalition.
  Of note in his demise is the international cooperation that 
spearheaded the operation. After receiving tips and intelligence of his 
location from Jordanian sources, Coalition forces killed Zarqawi and 
many of his lieutenants yesterday in an airstrike. It was this exchange 
of intelligence information between the United States and Jordan that 
helped to permanently end Zarqawi's operations. I should also note that 
the Iraqi police were first on the scene after the air strike to help 
identify our success.
  Also, perhaps lost among this news yesterday was another announcement 
made by Prime Minister Al-Maliki of Iraq that candidates have been 
named for important cabinet posts in the Iraqi government. After much 
negotiation, consensus picks were made to fill the defense and interior 
ministries--both key to a more secure and stable Iraq. Much of our 
success depends on the men and women forming the Iraqi government, and 
these are important steps to meeting the security challenges.
  The recent announcements in Iraq and our international 
counterterrorism efforts, while significant, are only small victories 
in the overall global war on terror. There are more extremists who will 
line up to preach against democracy and freedom. There are still those 
that will attack the free people of this world and want to do us much 
harm.
  After news of Zarqawi's death, the forces of al-Qaida in Iraq vowed 
publicly to continue their so-called ``holy war'' on innocent 
civilians. They have stated:

       The death of our leaders is life for us. It will only 
     increase our persistence in continuing holy war so that the 
     word of God will be supreme.

  In fact, only two hours after the Zarqawi announcement a bomb blew up 
in Baghdad killing at least nineteen people. It is clear that our 
success in Iraq against this enemy depends greatly on our continual 
cooperation with the Iraqi government and the new ministers in charge 
of security there.
  The global war on terror has been a great challenge for our Nation. 
Yet while the cost has been high, the cost of doing nothing would be 
even greater. And we cannot do this alone. Only with help of our 
neighbors, countrymen, and allies throughout the world can we assure 
that our democratic ideals defeat those of the terrorist extremists. I 
thank all of them for a job well done.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Thomas). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 
20 minutes in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. CORNYN. I thank the Chair.

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