July 15, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5787 I want to take this opportunity to The question was taken. Reza Asghari, , and Mohsen commend our former colleague, Admin- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Razaee from and Imad Fayez Moughnieh istrator Mark Green, for his hard work opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being from ; in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Whereas currently has 4 red alerts at USAID. I have had many construc- in place in relation to the AMIA attack; tive conversations with him since be- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, on that I Whereas, on January 13, 2015, prosecutor coming the lead Republican on the For- demand the yeas and nays. alleged in a complaint that eign Affairs Committee, and I look for- The yeas and nays were ordered. then-Argentinian President Cristina ward to many more. This bill is actu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Fernandez de Kirchner and then-Minister of ally his idea. ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- Foreign Relations Hector Timerman con- While the primary goal of such as- ceedings on this motion will be post- spired to cover up Iranian involvement in sistance is to save the lives of people in poned. the 1994 terrorist bombing, and reportedly agreed to negotiate immunity for Iranian desperate need, we also want to ensure f suspects and help get their names removed the recipients know that it is a gift CONDEMNING ATTACK ON THE from the INTERPOL list; from the people of the United States of AMIA JEWISH COMMUNITY CEN- Whereas prosecutor Alberto Nisman was America. scheduled to present his new findings to the TER IN IN JULY We hear a lot about the need to maxi- Argentinian Congress on January 19, 2015; 1994 mize America’s ‘‘soft power.’’ There is Whereas prosecutor Alberto Nisman was no better way to win hearts and minds Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to found shot in the head in his apartment in than by saving lives, feeding hungry suspend the rules and agree to the reso- Buenos Aires on January 18, 2015; lution (H. Res. 441) a resolution con- Whereas the investigation of the AMIA children, and helping impoverished bombing has been marked by judicial mis- populations. demning the attack on the AMIA Jew- conduct; This is why I introduced the Brand- ish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Whereas, in March 2019, an Argentine court ing Modernization Act, together with , in July 1994 and expressing handed down convictions and sentences, find- Chairman ENGEL. the concern of the United States re- ing that the judge, prosecutors, and head of While this bill places no mandates on garding the continuing, 25-year-long the Argentina’s secret services—the individ- USAID and maintains the Administra- delay in the resolution of this case and uals responsible for investigating the AMIA tor’s flexibility, it does empower him encouraging accountability for the at- bombing, Argentina’s deadliest terrorist at- tack. tack—had interfered with the inquiry, di- to brand all of our humanitarian as- verting the investigation away from the sistance. The Clerk read the title of the resolu- truth; It also expands the tools and logos tion. Whereas former Federal judge Juan Jose´ available to the Administrator for im- The text of the resolution is as fol- Galeano was handed down a 6-year convic- plementing a comprehensive branding lows: tion by the court, which will not be enforced strategy. H. RES. 441 until the sentence is confirmed by a higher tribunal; Finally, it requires an audit by the Whereas, 25 years ago, on July 18, 1994, 85 Whereas former State Intelligence Secre- agency’s inspector general to ensure innocent people were killed and 300 were tariat (SIDE) intelligence head Hugo that our personnel are complying with wounded when the Argentine Jewish Mutual Anzorreguy was handed a prison sentence of Association (AMIA) was bombed in Buenos branding regulations. 54 months; Aires, Argentina; This bill represents smart diplomacy, Whereas Carlos Telleldı´n, a used car dealer Whereas, 2 years earlier, good governance, and the true compas- who sold the van that contained the bomb operatives also blew up the Israeli embassy sion of the American people. I believe used to attack AMIA and received a bribe to in Buenos Aires, killing 29 civilians; incriminate police officers falsely, was sen- it deserves our unanimous support. Whereas it is reported that considerable tenced to 42 months in jail; and Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chair- evidence links the attack to the terrorist Whereas no Iranian suspects for the AMIA man ENGEL again for working with me, group Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon, bombing have yet faced prosecution: Now, as usual, on this bill as well as many supported by the Government of the Syrian therefore, be it Arab Republic, and sponsored by the Govern- others, and I yield back the balance of Resolved, That the House of Representa- my time. ment of the Islamic Republic of Iran; tives— Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Whereas the 25 years since the bombing (1) reiterates its strongest condemnation of self such time as I may consume for have been marked by a failure to bring those the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish Commu- the purpose of closing. responsible, including Iranian officials and nity Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and their Hezbollah proxies, to justice; honors the victims of this heinous act; Mr. Speaker, let me again thank my Whereas, in September 2004, Alberto friend, Ranking Member MCCAUL, for (2) expresses its sympathy to the relatives Nisman was appointed as the Special Pros- of the victims, who have waited a quarter of his leadership on this bill. ecutor in charge of the 1994 AMIA bombing One of the things that makes Amer- a century without justice for the loss of investigation; their loved ones, and may have to wait even ican foreign policy unique is that when Whereas, on October 25, 2006, Argentine longer for justice to be served; we are at our best, our values are at prosecutors Alberto Nisman and Marcelo (3) underscores the concern of the United ´ the center of everything we do. I think Martınez Burgos formally accused the Gov- States regarding the continuing, 25-year- one of the most important American ernment of Iran of directing the bombing, long delay in the proper resolution of this and the Hezbollah militia of carrying it out; case; and values is that we are a generous and Whereas , a member big-hearted country. We invest in de- (4) expresses strong support for account- of the terrorist group Hezbollah, was identi- ability for this attack, including against velopment because development and fied as the AMIA bomber; security go hand-in-hand, but also be- those Iranian and Hezbollah operatives who Whereas, in November 2006, an Argentine were responsible. cause it is the right thing to do. It al- judge issued arrest warrants for Iranian na- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- lows more people to live fuller, tionals Ali Fallahijan (former Iranian intel- ant to the rule, the gentleman from healthier, more prosperous lives. ligence minister), Mohsen Rabbani (former ´ New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the gen- We should take credit for that. We Iranian cultural attache), Ahmad Reza Asghari (former Iranian diplomat), Ahmad tleman from South Carolina (Mr. WIL- should let people know it is the United Vahidi (former Iranian defense minister), Ali SON) each will control 20 minutes. States extending a hand of friendship Akbar Velayati (former Iranian foreign min- The Chair recognizes the gentleman and assistance. That is the goal that ister), (former chief com- from New York. this bill is pursuing. mander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Mr. Speaker, I am glad to support Guards Corps), Ali Akbar Hashemi self as much time as I may consume. this bill, I encourage all Members to do Rafsanjani (former ), Hadi Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support the same, and I yield back the balance Soleimanpour (former Iranian Ambassador of H. Res. 441, a resolution condemning to Argentina), and Lebanese national Imad of my time. the attack on the AMIA Jewish Com- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Fayez Moughnieh who were named as sus- pects in the AMIA bombing; munity Center in Buenos Aires, Argen- question is on the motion offered by Whereas, in November 2007, INTERPOL tina, in July 1994, 25 years ago this the gentleman from New York (Mr. voted to put the following suspects in the month. ENGEL) that the House suspend the 1994 AMIA attack on its most wanted list— I have been to that community cen- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2744. Ali Fallahijan, Mohsen Rabbani, Ahmad ter. It is a vibrant community center.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:29 Jul 16, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K15JY7.014 H15JYPT1 H5788 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 15, 2019 It was a horrific bombing that hap- This important resolution condemns yet to face accountability for their ac- pened 25 years ago. the attack, expresses concern over the tions. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like continued delay in the resolution of We encourage all responsible nations to thank Mr. DEUTCH for authoring this the case, and it encourages account- to not allow the perpetrators of this at- resolution and for his years of leader- ability for those responsible. tack to continue to escape justice. ship advocating for justice for the vic- The resolution also recognizes a se- After the previous President of Ar- tims of the AMIA bombing. ries of critical events, including the gentina worked to prevent Iran from In July of 1994, the AMIA Jewish mysterious death of the lead pros- being held accountable, Prosecutor Community Center in Buenos Aires ecutor, Alberto Nisman, who formally Alberto Nisman heroically proceeded was bombed. Eighty-five innocent peo- accused the Government of Iran and investigating this bombing, shedding ple were killed and at least 300 people Hezbollah for their role and implicated light on the alarming and growing were wounded. Almost 25 years later, the Fernandez Kirchner government in partnership between leaders in Iran this heartbreaking tragedy and vicious negotiating immunity for the Iranian and Argentina. Just 1 day before he act of anti-Semitism still is an open suspects. was scheduled to present his latest wound. Justice has not been served. This resolution demonstrates our findings, Alberto Nisman was found This hits close to my heart. I have commitment to supporting the Govern- dead in his home with a fatal gunshot visited AMIA twice to meet with the ment of Argentina, one of our great re- wound to the head. community there and pay my respects gional partners, in finding justice for We are grateful that President to the victims and the Argentine Jew- the victims and their families, and Macri’s government has continued to ish community. combating the continued threat of ter- push for Iranian accountability. For 25 years, the Argentine people rorism in our hemisphere. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ac- have been waiting for the perpetrators I was grateful to work with my col- knowledge the Ambassador of Argen- of this horrific act of violence and hate league, Mr. DEUTCH, the chairman of tina, who is in the gallery with us to be brought to justice. the Middle East, North Africa, and today. So, I am glad we are considering this International Terrorism Sub- Twenty-five years later, Iranian- resolution today to keep this issue on committee, on this important resolu- backed Hezbollah continues to carry the front burner and to continue to tion. out terror operations. Twenty-five show solidarity with the victims. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance years later, anti-Semitism continues to The measure before us condemns the of my time. threaten the lives of Jewish commu- AMIA attack and expresses the United GENERAL LEAVE nities throughout , States’ condolences to the families of around the world, and even here in the the 85 victims. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- imous consent that all Members have 5 United States. This resolution also makes it clear With this vote, Congress honors the legislative days in which to revise and that those responsible for the murder victims of this horrific attack; recalls extend their remarks and include ex- of innocent civilians must be held ac- the brave work by Alberto Nisman, traneous material on H. Res. 441. countable. Years of investigation have who lost his life pursuing justice; and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there found that the perpetrators of this at- calls for full accountability for those objection to the request of the gen- tack were Hezbollah operatives with responsible. It has been far too long. tleman from New York? strong links to Iranian Government of- Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the There was no objection. ficials. ranking member, Congressman JOE Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 Despite the international outcry and WILSON, ranking member of the Middle minutes to the gentleman from Florida a stack of Interpol red notices demand- East, North Africa, and International ing that these individuals be brought (Mr. DEUTCH), chairman of the Sub- committee on the Middle East, North Terrorism Subcommittee, and Con- to justice, Iran refuses to hold the per- gressmen ALBIO SIRES and FRANCIS petrators accountable. Par for the Africa, and International Terrorism. Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank ROONEY, the chair and ranking member course for the Government of Iran. of the Western Hemisphere, Civilian It is the duty of all of us here in Con- Chairman ENGEL for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Security, and Trade Subcommittee, for gress to stand with the Argentine peo- joining me in introducing this resolu- ple as they demand that those respon- the memory of the victims of the 1994 terror attack on the AMIA Jewish tion. sible face consequences for their Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to crimes. Community Center in Buenos Aires. On July 18, 1994, terrorists detonated stand with us against this despicable I hope our friends in the Argentine act of terror. As we recall the victims Government and justice system will do a in the AMIA building, a in Buenos today, we stand against terror and ha- everything they can to finally provide tred and anti-Semitism, and we stand closure for the victims’ families. Aires, an important part, a central part of that community. It killed 85 in- for justice. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- nocent people and injured hundreds support this resolution, and I reserve bers are reminded to avoid references more. the balance of my time. to occupants of the gallery. Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. This attack, which took place just 2 Speaker, I yield myself as much time years after the bombing of the Israeli b 1515 as I may consume. embassy in Buenos Aires, shook the Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Argentine Jewish community, the larg- self such time as I may consume, for of H. Res. 441, Condemning the attack est in Latin America. the purpose of closing. on the AMIA Jewish Community Cen- In the 25 years since the attack, the Mr. Speaker, it is an outrage that, ter in Buenos Aires in July 1994, au- investigations into the AMIA bombing after all these years, there still hasn’t thored by Mr. DEUTCH of Florida. have been marked by long delays and been justice for the AMIA bombing vic- In July 1994, a terrorist tied to the by judicial misconduct, failing thus far tims and their families. Iranian-backed Hezbollah carried out a to bring justice for the victims, their This resolution today is a message to murderous bombing of the AMIA Jew- families, and their community. the Argentine Jewish community, and ish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Considerable evidence has linked this to marginalized, victimized commu- Argentina, killing 85 innocent people heinous attack to the terrorist group nities around the world, that the and injuring hundreds more. Hezbollah and its sponsor, the Govern- United States will not forget them and Unfortunately, 25 years later, the ment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. will continue to push for justice. cowardly perpetrators of this attack Now, despite warrants issued by the I am glad my colleague mentioned have evaded justice due to a series of Argentinian justice system for Iranian the prosecutor, Alberto Nisman, be- coverups and a botched investigation. and Lebanese nationals thought to be cause what happened to him, to be This reminds us that terrorism is a involved in the attacks, and their addi- murdered a day before he was to continuing threat in our hemisphere tion on Interpol’s most wanted lists, present his work, is absolutely a dis- and that we must always be vigilant. Iranian and Hezbollah operatives have grace. Some in the government even

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:29 Jul 16, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K15JY7.016 H15JYPT1 July 15, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5789 tried to say that it was a suicide, but A motion to reconsider was laid on Whereas the Sudanese authorities re- we know it was not. the table. sponded to the protests by detaining hun- I hope that we get to the bottom of dreds of people, including protesters, mem- f the truth and that Mr. Nisman is hon- bers of the political opposition, civil society, ored, which he should be. It is just an CONDEMNING ATTACKS ON PEACE- journalists, and more than a dozen American citizens, and by using excessive and lethal absolute disgrace that he was mur- FUL PROTESTERS AND SUP- force against protesters; dered. PORTING TRANSITION TO A CI- Whereas in late February 2019, President Again, I thank Mr. DEUTCH for au- VILIAN-LED DEMOCRATIC GOV- Bashir declared a yearlong nationwide state thorizing this important resolution. ERNMENT IN SUDAN of emergency, dissolving the Federal and Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to State governments and appointing senior join me in supporting it, and I yield military officers to key government posts, suspend the rules and agree to the reso- back the balance of my time. banning unauthorized gatherings, dem- lution (H. Res. 432) condemning the at- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise onstrations, and strikes, expanding author- tacks on peaceful protesters and sup- in strong support of H. Res. 441 which con- ization for searches, seizures, and arrests, porting an immediate peaceful transi- and barring news deemed to undermine his veys the indignation and concern many of my tion to a civilian-led democratic gov- government; colleagues and I have regarding the severe ernment in Sudan, as amended. Whereas tens, if not hundreds, of thou- delay in the conclusion of and lack of account- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- sands of protesters gathered in Khartoum on ability for the July 1994 AMIA Jewish Commu- tion. April 6, 2019, calling for the end of the gov- nity Center attacks. ernment of President Bashir, and on April 11, On July 18, 1994, 85 innocent people lost The text of the resolution is as fol- 2019, he was ousted from power by the mili- their lives and 300 more were wounded in an lows: tary and replaced by Defense Minister and act of terror and hate perpetrated against the H. RES. 432 First Vice President Lt. Gen. Ahmed Awad Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA). Whereas in 2016, the Government of the Ibn Auf, who later ceded power to Military This attack came two years after the bomb- United States launched a plan aimed at re- Inspector General and Army Chief Lt. Gen. ducing conflict and expanding humanitarian Abdel Fattah al-Burhan; ing of the Embassy of in Buenos Aires Whereas Lt. Gen. Burhan stated that his which claimed the lives of an additional 29 ci- access in Sudan, improving counterterrorism cooperation, ending Sudan’s negative inter- Transitional Military Council is committed vilians. ference in South Sudan, and addressing the to transferring power to a civilian govern- In both instances, there was considerable threat of the Lord’s Resistance Army, that, ment, but the Council has sought to main- evidence that linked the attacks to the Leb- according to the Department of State, led to tain the military’s dominance in negotia- anon-based terrorist group Hezbollah, which is significant progress in these areas and re- tions with opposition representatives on a supported by the Syrian Arab Republic and is sulted in the lifting of some United States transitional arrangement; sponsored by the Islamic Republic of Iran. sanctions on Sudan in October 2017; Whereas protesters maintained their vigil In the quarter century since the bombing of Whereas the Department of State an- in Khartoum, calling for the military to the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Bue- nounced ‘‘Phase II’’ of the bilateral re- transfer power to a civilian-led transitional engagement framework with Sudan in No- authority that would end Sudan’s civil wars, nos Aires, little has been done to bring those address the country’s economic crisis, and responsible, including Iranian officials and their vember 2018, under which the United States would consider rescinding Sudan’s designa- lay the foundations for democratic elections; Hezbollah proxies, to justice. tion as a state sponsor of terrorism if the Whereas the Transitional Military Council Those charged with bringing the attackers to country met the relevant statutory criteria has not met the demands of the protesters justice have unfortunately been made victims for delisting and if the Government of Sudan and the African Union Peace and Security themselves or since been found to have un- made progress along six identified areas of Council to ‘‘step aside and hand over power dermined and misled their investigations into concern related to counterterrorism coopera- to a civilian-led transitional authority, in the attacks. tion, humanitarian access, respect for accordance with the will of the people and Alberto Nisman, one of the original prosecu- human rights, a cessation of internal hos- constitutional order’’; tors that formally accused the Government of tilities and a conducive environment for Whereas on June 3rd, elements of Sudanese peace processes, efforts to address out- security forces, led by the Rapid Support Iran of directing the bombing, was also critical Forces, violently dispersed the sit-in of the of the Government of Argentina’s response to standing terrorism-related legal claims, and adherence to United Nations Security Coun- protesters and killed over 100 people, with the 1994 AMIA bombing. cil resolutions on North Korea; hundreds more injured and reports of rape Nisman alleged that there was a conspiracy Whereas despite the Government of Su- and other human rights abuses committed; among high-ranking Argentinian government dan’s pledge to cease hostilities, the United Whereas negotiations between the Transi- officials, including then-President Cristina Nations Panel of Experts on the Sudan re- tional Military Council and the opposition Fernandez de Kirchner, to cover up Iranian in- ported in January 2019 that forces of the coalition, known as the Forces for Freedom volvement. Government of Sudan had launched ‘‘large- and Change, on the composition and powers Unfortunately, Nisman was shot in the head scale military operations’’ against insur- of a transitional government are com- gents in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur in plicated by the role of individuals in the in his apartment the day before he was sched- Military Council who have been accused of uled to present new findings to the Argentinian 2018 and that elements of Sudan’s Rapid Sup- port Forces and associated militia were im- war crimes, by the Council’s insistence on Is- Congress. plicated in indiscriminate shootings, rape, lamic Sharia law as the basis for laws, and Other individuals responsible for inves- acts of torture, and other inhumane treat- by security forces use of live fire against pro- tigating the AMIA bombing, Argentina’s dead- ment of civilians; testers in the cities of Nyala, Zalingei, and liest terrorist attack, have since been con- Whereas the Department of State’s coun- Khartoum, resulting in multiple deaths, dur- victed by an Argentine court for interfering with try reports on human rights practices de- ing the talks; and the official inquiry and diverting the investiga- scribe reports of serious human rights viola- Whereas in the Comprehensive Peace in tion away from the truth. tions by Sudan’s intelligence service and Sudan Act of 2004, Congress expressed its As a senior member of the Committees on military, including the Rapid Support sense that individuals found to be involved Forces, citing credible reports that villages in the planning or carrying out of genocide, the Judiciary and on Homeland Security, I war crimes, or crimes against humanity urge my fellow colleagues to join me in sup- in Jebel Marra were targeted for attack in 2018, resulting in the displacement of thou- should not hold leadership positions in the porting H. Res. 441 and in condemning what sands of civilians and noting that Sudan’s Government of Sudan: Now, therefore, be it has been a systemic failure to carry out justice Rapid Support Forces were implicated in the Resolved, That the House of Representa- for the victims of the July 18, 1994 terrorist at- majority of reported human rights violations tives— tack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center. against civilians in the country; (1) stands in solidarity with the people of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Whereas contrary to the requirements of Sudan and strongly supports the right of the question is on the motion offered by Phase II, humanitarian organizations report Sudanese people to assemble peacefully and the gentleman from New York (Mr. that humanitarian access restrictions have express their legitimate demands for funda- ENGEL) that the House suspend the persisted, including bureaucratic inter- mental political change, including a demo- rules and agree to the resolution, H. ference, and reports of serious human rights cratic, civilian-led government; abuses and media censorship increased after (2) condemns the Government of Sudan’s Res. 441. Phase II was launched; use of violence and arbitrary detention The question was taken; and (two- Whereas in December 2018, protests that against peaceful protesters and the harass- thirds being in the affirmative) the began in Damazin and Atbara spread across ment and intimidation of medical profes- rules were suspended and the resolu- the country, with thousands of Sudanese sionals, journalists, human rights defenders, tion was agreed to. gathering to demand political change; political opposition, and civil society actors;

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