[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 26832]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF GERMANY FOR PREVENTING A LARGE-SCALE 
                            TERRORIST ATTACK

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 344, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 344) commending the government of 
     Germany for preventing a large-scale terrorist attack in 
     September 2007, and supporting future cooperation to prevent 
     terrorism.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 344) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 344

       Whereas, on September 4, 2007, police in Germany arrested 3 
     individuals for planning large-scale terrorist attacks 
     against locations in Germany, including sites frequented by 
     United States citizens;
       Whereas possible targets included Ramstein Air Base, which 
     serves as headquarters for United States Air Forces in Europe 
     and is also a North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     installation, and Frankfurt Airport, one of the largest 
     airports in Europe;
       Whereas, according to German authorities, the 3 suspects 
     belonged to a German cell of Islamic Jihad Union, a radical 
     Sunni group based in Central Asia with links to Al Qaeda;
       Whereas 300 police and other law enforcement officials were 
     involved in the investigation and 41 homes across Germany 
     were raided in a highly successful operation;
       Whereas United States intelligence agencies reportedly 
     provided critical information that alerted their counterparts 
     in Germany as to the travels of the suspects between Germany 
     and Pakistan and the suspects' affiliation with the Islamic 
     Jihad Union;
       Whereas German authorities acted swiftly and decisively to 
     prevent an attack that could have come within days of the 
     arrests;
       Whereas the successful collaborative action by United 
     States and German authorities prevented the possible deaths 
     of many innocent people;
       Whereas Germany and the United States have been close 
     allies in the fight against terrorism;
       Whereas the law enforcement, intelligence, diplomatic, and 
     military organizations in Germany and the United States 
     continue to work together to combat the terrorist threat and 
     prevent future attacks; and
       Whereas victory in the fight against terrorism is critical 
     to preserve the liberty and ensure the safety of all people: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the efforts of law enforcement authorities in 
     Germany in preventing a large-scale terrorist attack on 
     numerous targets in Germany, including sites frequented by 
     United States citizens;
       (2) recognizes the role of United States intelligence 
     agencies in providing critical information to German 
     authorities in their investigation and apprehension of the 
     suspected terrorists and notes the continuing importance of 
     such United States intelligence cooperation with Germany;
       (3) commends the intelligence community of Germany for its 
     outstanding work in identifying the individuals suspected of 
     seeking to carry out this terrorist plot;
       (4) condemns those individuals who would use acts of 
     violence against innocent civilians to spread a message of 
     hate and intolerance;
       (5) urges the allies of the United States to remain 
     steadfast in their efforts to defeat international terrorism; 
     and
       (6) expresses its readiness to provide necessary assistance 
     to the Government of Germany in its counterterrorism effort 
     to bring to justice those individuals involved in this 
     terrorist plot.

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