[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 123 (Monday, July 30, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H8877-H8880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONDEMNING THE ATTACK ON THE AMIA JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER IN BUENOS
AIRES, ARGENTINA, IN JULY 1994
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 188) condemning the attack
on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July
1994, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows
H. Con. Res. 188
Whereas on July 18, 1994, 85 innocent people were killed
and 300 were wounded when the Argentine Jewish Mutual
Association (AMIA) was bombed in Buenos Aires, Argentina;
Whereas extensive evidence links the planning of the
attacks to the Government of Iran, and the execution of the
attacks to the terrorist group Hezbollah, which is based in
Lebanon, supported by Syria, and sponsored by Iran;
Whereas on October 25, 2006, the State Prosecutor of
Argentina, an office created by the current Government of
Argentina, concluded that the AMIA bombing was ``decided and
organized by the highest leaders of the former government of
. . . Iran, whom, at the same time, entrusted its execution
to the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah'';
Whereas on October 25, 2006, the State Prosecutor of
Argentina concluded that the AMIA bombing had been approved
in advance by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamene'i, Iran's
then-leader Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Iran's then-Foreign
Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, and Iran's then-Minister of
Security and Intelligence Ali Fallahijan;
Whereas on October 25, 2006, the State Prosecutor of
Argentina stated that the Government of Iran uses ``terrorism
as a mechanism of its foreign policy'' in support of ``its
final aim [which] is to export its radicalized vision of
Islam and to eliminate the enemies of the regime'';
Whereas on October 25, 2006, the State Prosecutor of
Argentina identified Ibrahim Hussein Berro, a Lebanese
citizen and member of Hezbollah, as the suicide bomber who
primarily carried out the attack on the AMIA;
Whereas on November 9, 2006, Argentine Judge Rodolfo
Canicoba Corral, pursuant to the request of the State
Prosecutor of Argentina, issued an arrest warrant for Ali
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former leader of Iran and the
current chairman of Iran's Expediency Council, for his
involvement in the AMIA bombing and urged the International
Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to issue a capture
notice (commonly known as a ``red notice'') for Rafsanjani;
Whereas on November 9, 2006, Argentine Judge Rodolfo
Canicoba Corral, pursuant to the request of the State
Prosecutor of Argentina, also issued arrest warrants for Ali
Fallahijan, a former Iranian Minister of Security and
Intelligence, Ali Akbar Velayati, a former Iranian Foreign
Minister, Mohsen Rezai, a former commander of Iran's Islamic
Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Ahmad Vahidi, a former
commander of the elite Al-Quds Force of the IRGC, Hadi
Soleimanpour, a former Iranian ambassador to Argentina,
Mohsen Rabbani, a former cultural attache at the Iranian
Embassy in Buenos Aires, Ahmed Reza Asghari, a former
official at the Iranian Embassy in Buenos Aires, and Imad
Moughnieh, a leading operations chief of Hezbollah;
Whereas on March 5, 2007, the Executive Committee of
INTERPOL supported the issuance of red notices for Hezbollah
operative Imad Moughnieh and five Iranian officials noted
above for whom Argentine Judge Rodolfo Canicoba Corral issued
arrest warrants;
Whereas Iran has appealed the INTERPOL Executive
Committee's decision, and the General Assembly of INTERPOL
will issue a final ruling on the red notices when it meets in
Morocco in November 2007;
Whereas the inability to reach suspected Islamist militants
and Iranian officials has debilitated the efforts of the
Government of Argentina to prosecute masterminds and planners
of the 1994 AMIA bombing;
Whereas the current Government of Argentina has made
significant advances in the AMIA investigation; and
Whereas Argentina recently approved anti-terrorist
legislation which seeks to criminalize financing, fund-
raising, and money laundering activities of groups linked to
terrorism: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) reiterates its strongest condemnation of the 1994
attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires,
Argentina, and honors the victims of this heinous act;
(2) expresses its sympathy to the relatives of the victims,
who have waited 13 years without justice for the loss of
their loved ones, and may have to wait even longer for
justice to be served;
(3) applauds the current Government of Argentina for
increasing the pace of the AMIA bombing investigation, as
well as on its recently approved anti-terrorism legislation;
(4) urges the Government of Argentina to continue to
dedicate and provide the resources necessary for its judicial
system and intelligence agencies to investigate all areas of
the AMIA case and to bring those responsible to justice;
(5) calls upon the General Assembly of INTERPOL to uphold,
issue and implement the red notices supported by the
Executive Committee of INTERPOL in March 2007; and
(6) calls upon responsible nations to cooperate fully with
the investigation, including by making information,
witnesses, and suspects available for review and questioning
by the appropriate Argentine authorities, and by detaining
and extraditing to Argentina, if given the opportunity, any
of the Iranian officials and former officials, Hezbollah
operatives, and Islamist militants against whom Argentine or
international arrest warrants are pending in connection with
the AMIA case.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms.
Ros-Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from American Samoa.
[[Page H8878]]
General Leave
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from American Samoa?
There was no objection.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, 13 years ago this month, 85 innocent people lost their
lives in the bombing of a Jewish cultural center in Buenos Aires. Today
we commemorate the profound pain of the families who had their loved
ones brutally taken from them. We also recall the shock felt in Jewish
communities throughout the world at this ferocious attack on innocent
lives in a city where Jewish people had previously felt secure. But
with consideration of this resolution today, we not only commemorate
but we demand justice. It is absolutely imperative that the
international community push ahead with the critical investigation to
bring the perpetrators to justice.
Mr. Speaker, just last fall the state prosecutor of Argentina
concluded that the attack had been approved in advance by Iran's
Supreme Leader and by the highest officials of the Iranian Government.
The former Iranian Ambassador to Argentina actually provided key
information in planning to carry out this vicious attack.
There is a new leader in Tehran these days. He is no less anti-
Semitic and no less menacing, but he threatens to develop infinitely
more dangerous weapons than those used to perpetrate the slaughter in
Argentina.
Mr. Speaker, the United States cannot and will not allow the reckless
Iranian leader Ahmadinejad to obtain nuclear capabilities. There is
also little doubt that the Iranian masterminds in 1994 called upon
their Hezbollah thugs to execute their nefarious plans. We also know
that the Hezbollah terrorist cell that carried out the attack received
financial and logistical support from sympathizers in the tri-border
region between Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. The suicide bomber
himself may have entered South America and traveled to the Argentina
capital through this lawless frontier.
Mr. Speaker, although nothing like the bombing has been replicated in
South America since 1994, supporters and facilitators of Islamic
terrorist organizations have gathered in scattered outposts throughout
the western hemisphere. Operating from hard-to-reach areas in Chile,
Colombia, Venezuela and Panama, these individuals lend financial and
logistical assistance to terrorist organizations in the Middle East.
Mr. Speaker, although these isolated communities have yet to grow
into operational cells of Islamic terrorists, the threat to regional
security remains strong and requires constant vigilance. We must
redouble our efforts to root out terrorist fund-raising networks in the
western hemisphere and to unearth the growing web of links between
terrorist financiers and narcotic traffickers.
This important resolution encourages the Government of Argentina to
continue its pursuit of the criminals in the bombing, and it calls upon
the General Assembly of INTERPOL to uphold and implement international
arrest warrants recently issued for the Hezbollah and Iranian
operatives.
Mr. Speaker, only by taking the investigation of the AMIA bombing to
its ultimate conclusion, the capture and punishment of those who
planned it, will we show Iran, Hezbollah, and those who support
terrorism that we are serious about combating it. International
terrorists have demonstrated that they will not rest in pursuit of
their villainy. This resolution once again puts them on notice that
they will fail whether they are in the Middle East or in the Americas.
I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important measure.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 188.
Mr. Speaker, 13 years ago, on July 18, a radical Islamist with ties
to the terrorist group Hezbollah bombed the AMIA Jewish Community
Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the heart and soul of the largest
Jewish community in South America, killing 85 innocent people. From the
beginning of the investigation into this horrific act of anti-Semitism
and mass murder, the evidence pointed to the involvement of Hezbollah
and its state sponsor, Iran. Moreover, the AMIA bombing opened our
eyes, 7 years before 9/11, to the growing threat of radical Islam and
Islamic extremists and terrorists in the western hemisphere, our own
backyard.
The tri-border area, where Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina meet,
continues to be a lawless zone where Islamist terrorist groups meet and
engage in arms, drug dealing and contraband smuggling that finances
their deadly deeds and aims. It could easily become a base of
operations to carry out further terrorist attacks that could even
strike on U.S. soil. Therefore, to address this threat to our interests
and national security, the United States and our allies must bring to
justice those responsible for past acts of terror. We must vigilantly
combat radical Islamic terrorist groups before they strike again.
Sadly, Mr. Speaker, for over a decade those responsible for the
atrocity at AMIA have not been captured and prosecuted, causing our
enemies to be emboldened to strike again. Nonetheless, despite numerous
obstacles, the wheels of justice have started to gain momentum.
Last October, the state prosecutor of Argentina concluded that the
AMIA bombing was, in his words, ``decided and organized by the highest
leaders of the former Government of Iran whom, at the same time,
entrusted its execution to the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.''
Last March, acting on the state prosecutor's conclusions, INTERPOL's
executive committee recommended the issuance of red notices for five
Iranian officials and one Hezbollah operative in connection with the
bombing.
{time} 1530
Iran, still determined to act with impunity, has appealed the
Executive Committee's decision to INTERPOL's General Assembly, which
will meet upcoming this November.
It is vital, vital, Mr. Speaker, that INTERPOL's General Assembly
uphold the recommendation of the Executive Committee and issue the red
notices, which could lead to the arrest of these individuals.
To successfully prosecute this case, Argentina must be able to arrest
and extradite the named Islamic militant and Iranian officials.
It is important to note that at least one of the five indicted
Iranian officials worked for the Iranian embassy in Buenos Aires at the
time of the AMIA bombing.
The evidence appears to indicate that Iran used officials who have
diplomatic immunity to help support and plan the attack, and that Iran
has used its embassies abroad to further its terrorist plots and
radical Islamic goals.
Indeed, all signs show that Iran is vigorously increasing its
diplomatic presence in the western hemisphere, seeking to increase its
power, to spread its radical Islamic ideology, to undermine the United
States, and to wreak havoc throughout the region. These dangerous
efforts must be addressed, Mr. Speaker.
Many nations in the hemisphere have joined with the United States and
regional organizations to fight the growing threat of Islamic
extremists that has become evident since the AMIA bombing. For example,
several nations participate in joint counterterrorism training and
simulations and have joined counterterrorist protocols and agreements.
Argentina deserves particular commendation. In addition to its
significant progress in the AMIA investigation during the past year,
Argentina recently approved legislation which criminalizes financing,
fund-raising, and money laundering by groups linked to terror.
Mr. Speaker, these nations deserve our continued support and
encouragement. However, there is much left to be done.
H. Con. Res. 188, which I introduced with the distinguished chairman
of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Lantos, seeks to address a number
of
[[Page H8879]]
issues that we have raised. The resolution condemns the AMIA attacks,
honors the victims, and, thirdly, expresses our sympathy to their long-
suffering families.
It also calls upon the General Assembly of INTERPOL to issue and
implement the red notices supported by INTERPOL Executive Committee,
and calls upon responsible nations to cooperate fully with the AMIA
investigation.
Mr. Speaker, for years, Chairman Lantos and I have spoken in this
Chamber calling for justice to be served in the AMIA case. Finally,
those responsible for this atrocity are running scared, recognizing
that they may not escape the consequences of their crime, that we are
determined to prevent history from repeating itself.
Justice may be delayed, but it must be denied. Therefore, I urge my
colleagues to support this resolution
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I do want to commend my good friend,
the gentlelady, as the prime sponsor of this resolution.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. If I could ask the gentleman to yield for a
request.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I yield.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I have to go to another meeting, and if you would
allow me, I would like to yield the balance of our time to Mr. Boozman,
a member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade
on the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I have no problem with that, Mr. Speaker.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) will control the balance of the gentlewoman's
time.
There was no objection.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my good friend,
my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago this Congress passed H. Con.
Res. 469, which condemned the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community
Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and expressed the concern of the
United States regarding the continuing decades-long delay in the
resolution of the case. I voted for that resolution because I believe
that justice deferred is justice denied, and all those who are
responsible certainly must be brought to justice.
I joined my colleagues in saying that we don't condone terrorist
actions or military posturing by any nation, nor have I seen any
evidence that suggests that those who have been accused are innocent.
But responsible foreign policy means thoughtful and insightful
discussion between nations that reflects a desire for both peace and
security here at home, in the Middle East, and around the world.
In the 110th Congress, the House of Representatives has passed
several bills calling into question the actions of either the country
of Iran or the leaders of Iran with respect to their foreign or
domestic policy. Today, this Congress has brought up, under suspension
of the rules, an additional three bills designed with the same intent.
This continuous renewal of U.S. objections to Iran's and foreign
domestic policy can easily have the effect, intended or not, to beat
the drum for war against Iran. I mean, isn't this very familiar?
The U.S. House of Representatives treats these resolutions today as
being uncontroversial. Let this Congress be warned that the Bush
administration can use these resolutions against this body and declare
the passage of these resolutions as a green light to engage in
aggression against Iran, and Iran could then be the next Iraq.
I believe this House is better served by demanding sensible and
responsible diplomatic foreign policy initiatives from the Bush
administration; that we should demand that the administration engage
immediately in high-level diplomatic negotiations.
By continuing to neglect this duty and engaging in the ongoing
condemnation of Iran, without opening of diplomatic channels, what
we're doing is systematically destroying every available route to
restoring peace and security in the Middle East.
We know that Iran is guilty of belligerent statements. We need to
look no further than the second in command, President Ahmadinejad, to
recognize the escalation of rhetoric and escalation of provocation
between Iran and other nations.
But we also need to look at what's happening in our own country, with
the actions of our Vice President, to know that the U.S. Government
hasn't been exactly clean on these matters. On March 7, 2006 in
reference to Iran, Mr. Cheney stated: ``For our part, the United States
is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible
conduct of the regime, and we join other nations in sending that regime
a clear message. We will not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons.''
Now when he said that, it's very clear and unambiguous what that
means. When you say all options on the table, you mean a military
attack included, including the use of nuclear weapons. This is widely
understood to be what the context of that statement was.
So here we are talking about trying to take a direction in foreign
policy that would protect this country, and at the same time, we're
jeopardizing our very troops in Iraq by rattling the sabers of war
against Iran.
And so I think you cannot look at these resolutions apart from the
context of administration policy. The same sentiments regarding Iran
are reiterated by the Vice President on February 24 at a press briefing
in Australia where he said, ``I've also made the point, the President
made the point, all options are still on the table.''
Now I think that we have to be careful that this House isn't really
acting as a pawn of the administration or emulating irresponsible
examples when it comes to our Nation's foreign policy.
Last week the administration announced plans to sell $20 billion
worth of U.S. weapons to Saudi Arabia and five other Middle Eastern
countries. Arms groups, as well as human rights groups, question this
decision, as well they should. The distribution of more weapons in the
region when the United States purports to desire peace in the Middle
East is counterproductive and counterintuitive.
So we really have to look at this doctrine that we're operating
under, and I think this Congress has to demand responsible foreign
policy initiatives, whether it's in regard to the Middle East or any
other part of the world.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I desire.
Obviously, there's nothing in the bill pertaining to any sort of
aggressive action against Iran as far as military action. This, or a
similar bill, has been introduced several times since the AMIA bombing,
and so there's no way that this is being ginned up by the
administration.
Last October, Argentina's state prosecutor concluded that the AMIA
bombing was decided and organized, I quote, ``decided and organized by
the highest leaders of the former Government of Iran, whom at the same
time entrusted its execution to the Lebanese group of Hezbollah.''
Last March, acting on the state prosecutor's conclusions, INTERPOL's
Executive Committee recommended the issuance of red notices for five
Iranian officials and one Hezbollah operative in connection with the
bombing.
This is about an effort to get justice. Delayed justice, as Mr.
Kucinich said, is justice that we certainly need to get done.
And, again, this is not about ginning up in an effort to support the
President with some sort of military operation. This is about taking
the actions that INTERPOL, taking the actions that the Argentineans
want to take, and encouraging them with a sense of Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute just to say
that I do want to thank the gentleman from Ohio for his concerns about
this proposed legislation. But as my good friend has stated, this is
not in any way to suggest that this is giving more ammunition to the
current administration to suggest that we're going to attack Iran in
the near future.
I, for one, and I'm certain that every member of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, am going to scrutinize and screen this very, very
carefully on any formal proposal coming from the administration as far
as taking arms against Iran
Mr. Speaker, I don't have any further speakers.
I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H8880]]
Mr. BOOZMAN. Having no further speakers either, I just want to thank
the chairman for his hard work on this; thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for
introduction of the bill, and the staff for their hard work.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I also yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from America Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res 188, as
amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as amended, was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________