[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11] [House] [Pages 14963-14964] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SENSE OF HOUSE THAT U.N. SHOULD TRANSFER UNCENSORED VIDEOTAPE TO ISRAELI GOVERNMENT REGARDING HEZBOLLAH ABDUCTION OF THREE ISRAELI DEFENSE SOLDIERS Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 191) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United Nations should immediately transfer to the Israeli Government an unedited and uncensored videotape that contains images which could provide material evidence for the investigation into the incident on October 7, 2000, when Hezbollah forces abducted 3 Israeli Defense Force soldiers, Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad. The Clerk read as follows: H. Res. 191 Whereas on October 7, 2000, Hezbollah forces illegally crossed the Israeli border with Lebanon and kidnapped 3 Israli Defense Force soldiers, Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad; Whereas 9 months after the kidnapping, Hezbollah released no information as to the whereabouts and conditions of these soldiers; Whereas the events leading up to, surrounding, and immediately following the kidnapping remain unknown; Whereas after long denial the United Nations admitted to possession of a videotape that contains images which could provide material evidence for the investigation into the incident on October 7, 2000; Whereas this videotape would help to assess the conditions of the soldiers and assist in the investigation to determine the identities of the kidnappers and their methods; and Whereas to date the United Nations is reluctant to transfer an uncensored form of the videotape to Israeli Government authorities investigating this incident: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the United Nations should immediately transfer an unedited and uncensored form of the videotape that contains images which could provide material evidence for the investigation into the incident on October 7, 2000, when Hezbollah forces abducted 3 Israeli Defense Force soldiers, Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad, as well as any other material evidence the United Nations may possess, to the Israeli Government to assist its investigation of this incident. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger). General Leave Mr. BALLENGER. 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 North Carolina? There was no objection. Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 191, sponsored by my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk). The United Nations has done important work in Lebanon over the years, keeping the peace as best it could in an area where stability has been threatened by the presence of various Lebanese and Palestinian factions and by Israeli responses to them. Recently, it seems to have failed in part of its mission. Lebanese- based Hezbollah fighters were able to cross into Israeli territory and kidnap three Israeli soldiers. It turns out that a videotape that may well provide information to help resolve the kidnapping, although not the kidnapping itself, was made by the U.N. forces. After denying the existence of the tape for some time, it now appears that the tape does exist. The U.N. should do all it can to help resolve the disappearance of the men, including the provision of relevant evidence. The case has attracted widespread attention, not least in northern Illinois. I appreciate the diligent efforts of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) and his constituents, as well as the efforts of his cosponsors, in keeping this humanitarian nightmare from fading from our memories pending its final, and I hope its peaceful and successful resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to congratulate my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) for bringing this important resolution to the body. I also want to thank my friend, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger), and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for his support. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, this resolution concerns a matter that unfortunately illustrates the singularly biased attitude and behavior that the United Nations and its constituent bodies and some of its personnel traditionally have shown towards our ally, the Democratic State of Israel. Mr. Speaker, on October 7 of last year, Hezbollah terrorists illegally crossed from Lebanon into Israel and kidnapped three Israeli soldiers. Nearly 10 months later, Hezbollah has neither released information about the soldiers' conditions and whereabouts, nor has it allowed any third parties, even the International Red Cross to meet with them. Shortly after the kidnapping, Israel sources learned that U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon had shot a videotape that likely reveals the terrorists' identities. {time} 1445 Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley). Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 191. I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) for authoring this important resolution before us today. In October of 2000, Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad were abducted while on routine patrol of Israel's northern border. At the present time these men are believed to be held by Hezbollah on Lebanese soil. I am extremely troubled by the fact that the United Nations has the ability to assist in discovering the whereabouts of these men and has failed to turn over what may be pertinent information to the Israeli Government. For an organization that is a champion for human rights around the world to obstruct the recovery of these men is inconceivable. I join my colleagues in calling on Secretary-General Kofi Annan to act expeditiously in seeing that any and all information leading to the rescue of these Israeli soldiers be handed over without further delay. Since these men were captured last year, I have been in constant contact with their families. I had the opportunity to meet their families in January of this year. The fact that the United Nations has evidence that could ultimately bring their sons, fathers and brothers back to them is the last shred of hope that any of these families have. I cannot stand by and allow that to be taken away from them as well. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I commend my friend from New York for his eloquent statement. Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 191, sponsored by the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk). 295 days ago, three Israeli soldiers were kidnapped from Israeli territory near the Lebanese border. It developed months later that the United Nations had made a videotape that contains significant information that could lead to a solution to this case. The UN, however, first concealed the existence of the tape and subsequently has refused to release an uncensored version of it to Israel. This resolution simply calls on the UN to do what it should do--to help resolve a case that tugs at our heartstrings. [[Page 14964]] I appreciate the tireless efforts of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) to keep this case alive. I hope, together with him and his constituents, and my own constituents, for a safe return for these men. Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of a House Resolution 191. House Resolution 191 is of importance to my constituents and to the state of Israel and, as a cosponsor of this legislation, I urge its immediate passage. House Resolution 191 expresses the sense of the Congress that the United Nations should immediately transfer to the Israeli Government an unedited and uncensored videotape. That videotape contains images which could assist those investigating the October 7, 2000, kidnapping of 3 Israeli Defense Force soldiers, Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad. Nine months after the kidnapping, Hezbollah has released no information as to the whereabouts and conditions of these soldiers. While events leading up to the kidnapping remain unknown, the United Nations has admitted to possession of a videotape that contains images which could provide evidence for the investigation into the incident. It is hard to imagine the level of concern that must be felt by the family members of the three kidnapped soldiers. The fact that the United Nations may have information that could help resolve this situation is also troubling. The United Nations should not be making it more difficult for Israeli authorities and the family members of Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad. Instead, it should be actively assisting Israeli authorities to secure information about these three individuals. I join my colleagues in strong support of this resolution. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 191. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of those present have voted in the affirmative. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________