[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1328-E1329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMIA JEWISH CENTER BOMBING IN ARGENTINA

______

HON. TOM LANTOS

of california

in the house of representatives

Thursday, July 18, 1996

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend my colleagues' attention
to the second anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack in Buenos
Aires, Argentina, against the Jewish community center. On July 18,
1994, a car bomb was detonated outside of the seven-story building in
Buenos Aires that housed the AMIA [Association Mutual Israelita
Argentina] and DAIA [Delegacion de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas].
That barbaric act took the lives of 86 innocent people and injured more
than 300 others. To date, those responsible remain at large.

[[Page E1329]]

Mr. Speaker, we in the Congress have repeatedly expressed to the
Argentine authorities our firm conviction that they must do everything
in their power to solve this case, and the as yet unsolved case of the
1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires. While we are
encouraged by recent arrests of several Argentine police officers in
connection with the ongoing investigation, clearly much more needs to
be done.
I commend my colleagues' attention to the following two letters which
were sent this day to President Menem of the Republic of Argentina. The
first was signed by 42 Members of Congress and expresses the view, held
most certainly by all Members, that Argentine authorities must redouble
their efforts to find and prosecute the terrorists who committed these
heinous crimes. The second letter is from Abraham Foxman, National
Director of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith. Mr. Foxman
cites the recent resignation of the Minister of Justice and applauds
the opportunity for President Menem to appoint an individual truly
committed to solving these cases.
Mr. Speaker, on this second anniversary of the AMIA bombing, we must
restate our determination to fight global terrorism and to support
friendly governments who wish to join this struggle. As Argentina
continues successfully its evolution to full democracy, we must urge
the Argentine Government to stand fast with the United States against
the mutual enemy of democracy--global terrorism--and to redouble its
efforts to solve these cases of terrorism:
July 18, 1996.
His Excellency Carlos Saul Menem,
President of the Republic of Argentina, Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Dear Mr. President: We are writing to you on the second
anniversary of the bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community
Center to express our dismay at the lack of resolution in the
ongoing investigation of that bombing and the 1992 Israeli
Embassy bombing in Buenos Aires. We fervently hope that the
recent arrests of several police officers will yield a long-
awaited break in the AMIA case.
Although Members of Congress previously have written to you
on this subject, we strongly believe that the anniversary of
this tragic event requires us to restate our conviction that
Argentine authorities must conduct a reinvigorated effort to
find and prosecute those responsible.
We appreciate the Argentine government's desire to
successfully complete these investigations and deliver
justice to the victims and their families. However, despite
cooperation from United States government experts and years
of investigation by Argentine authorities, the murderers are
still at large. This is an intolerable situation.
No citizens of any country should have to live under the
threat of terrorism. Unfortunately, until those responsible
for the bombings in Argentina are apprehended, the Jewish
community of Argentina will live under the threat of more
terrorism, and Argentina will appear to be a haven for
terrorists from around the world.
Mr. President, as we have learned from our own horrendous
experiences with terrorism, these cases are difficult, but
not impossible to solve. With sufficient will and effort,
successful prosecution can eventually be achieved. We urge
you to redouble your government's efforts in this task.
We look forward to your response to our previous inquiry
for information on the status of these investigations and to
working with you to bring the guilty to justice.
Cordially,
Tom Lantos, Jon Fox, Ben Gilman, Gary Ackerman, William
Martini, Robert Torricelli, Ron Dellums, Stephen Horn,
Howard Berman, Martin Frost, Peter King, Robert
Menendez, Sander Levin, Jennifer Dunn, Carrie Meek,
Charles Schumer, Herb Bateman, Martin Meehan, Michael
Doyle, Jerrold Nadler, Sidney Yates, Ken Calvert, Peter
Deutsch, Frank Tejeda, Lane Evans, Nita Lowey, John
Olver, Rodney Frelinghuysen, Bob Filner, Steve
Stockman, Steve Chabot, Zoe Lofgren, Ben Cardin, Peter
Blute, Cliff Stearns, Elizabeth Furse, Sherrod Brown,
Ilean Ros-Lehtinen, Victor Frazer, Jay Kim, Cynthia
McKinney, and Rick Lazio.
____

Anti-Defamation League,

July 16, 1996.
His Excellency President Carlos Menem,
Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Your Excellency: July 18 marks the anniversary of one of
the most horrible dates in Argentinean history--the bomb
attack that destroyed the AMIA headquarters, snuffed out
innumerable lives, and shattered the security of the Jewish
community. A view of the site leaves an indelible image of
the tragedy and reminds many of the 30's and the horrors of
Nazi Germany or Stalinist terror.
The world continues to anxiously await a solution to this
crime by the democracy that is now Argentina. The occasion of
the resignation of the Minister of Justice provides an
opportunity for the appointment of an individual truly
committed to democracy, and to finding those responsible for
the bombing.
At the same time, we are particularly concerned about the
recent appointment of Mr. Horacio graga as investigator for
the official TV station. Mr. Fraga is an individual with a
known racist and anti-Semitic background. This appointment
raises serious concern in the Argentinean Jewish community,
as well as among Jews throughout the world.
Democracy is a difficult process which requires discipline
and vigilance by government and private citizens. The clear
actions of your administration in these matters will send a
strong signal that democracy and the rights of Argentinean
minorities are paramount to your administration. You assured
us of these points during the visit of an ADL delegation last
year, and we hope that it will become a reality for Argentina
and its communities.
Looking forward to your response,
Sincerely,
Abraham H. Foxman,
National Director.