[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 127 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1723]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in 1994, a terrorist bomb 
destroyed the headquarters of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association, 
known by its Spanish acronym, AMIA, killing 85 people and wounding 200. 
To this day, the attack on the AMIA remains the deadliest anti-Semitic 
incident since World War II, and as of yet, the perpetrators of this 
act have not been brought to justice.
  I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 188, which not only 
condemns this heinous attack, but also applauds the Government of 
Argentina for speeding the pace of this investigation and calls on 
other responsible nations to support Argentina in its efforts to 
finally bring this case to a close.
  Substantial evidence attributes the attack on July 18, 1994, to the 
terrorist group Hezbollah, based in Lebanon and sponsored by Iran. 
Evidence indicates that the tri-border region where Argentina, 
Paraguay, and Brazil meet was used to channel resources for the purpose 
of carrying out the AMIA attack by terrorists linked with Iran. 
Regrettably, the scheming of international terrorist organizations, 
such as Hezbollah and al-Qaeda, are not confined to the tri-border 
region. In fact, much of the Western Hemisphere is ideal for 
international terrorist groups to establish bases due to the ill 
equipped and poorly trained security agencies across the region.
  Almost daily, we hear reports of terrorist threats from organizations 
including Hezbollah and al-Qaeda. It is more important than ever to 
vigorously pursue and prosecute these criminals at every given 
opportunity. Unfortunately, while the AMIA case has been officially 
under investigation for over 13 years, the responsible parties have not 
yet been apprehended. Massive judicial and investigative 
irregularities, destruction of evidence, and cover-ups have already 
distorted the long-delayed trial. Make no mistake about it, failure to 
duly punish the culprits of the AMIA attack serves to reward terrorists 
and help spread terrorism.
  I strongly applaud the recent efforts by the Government of Argentina 
to fulfill its international obligations and its promise to the 
Argentine people by aggressively pursuing the local and international 
connections to this act of terrorism, wherever they may lead, and to 
properly punish all those who are involved. However, if the last few 
years have taught us anything, it is that no nation can effectively 
combat terrorism on its own. While it is up to the Argentine government 
to conduct a thorough investigation, it is also the responsibility of 
the international community to cooperate fully in this effort.
  Argentina owes it to itself, its people, and the human family to 
conduct an intense, fearless, and comprehensive investigation that will 
lead to the identification and prosecution of the principal criminals. 
We in the international community owe it to Argentina to cooperate with 
its efforts to bring this dark chapter of its history to a close.
  H. Con. Res. 188 is not only a much needed reminder of this tragic 
event, but it is also a reminder of the truly international scope of 
the war on terror.

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