104th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 273

Condemning terror attacks in Saudi Arabia.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 27, 1996

Mr. Helms (for himself, Mr. Pell, Mr. Lott, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Reid, Ms. Moseley-Braun, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Coats, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Gramm, and Mr. Coverdell) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

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RESOLUTION

Condemning terror attacks in Saudi Arabia.

Whereas on June 25, 1996, a massive truck bomb exploded at the King Abdul Aziz Air Base near Dhahran, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

Whereas this horrific attack killed at least nineteen Americans and injured at least three hundred more;

Whereas the bombing also resulted in 147 Saudi casualties;

Whereas the apparent target of the attack was an apartment building housing United States service personnel;

Whereas on November 13, 1995, a terror attack in Saudi Arabia, also directed against United States personnel, killed five Americans, and two others;

Whereas individuals with ties to Islamic extremist organizations were tried, found guilty, and executed for having participated in the November 13 attack;

Whereas United States Armed Forces personnel are deployed in Saudi Arabia to protect the peace and freedom secured in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm;

Whereas the relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been built with bipartisan support and has served the interest of both countries over the last five decades; and

Whereas this terrorist outrage underscores the need for a strong and ready military able to defend American interests: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) condemns in the strongest terms the attacks of June 25, 1996, and November 13, 1995 in Saudi Arabia;

(2) extends condolences and sympathy to the families of all those United States service personnel killed and wounded, and to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

(3) honors the United States military personnel killed and wounded for their sacrifice in service to the Nation;

(4) expresses its gratitude to the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their heroic rescue efforts at the scene of the attack and their determination to find and punish those responsible for this outrage;

(5) reaffirms its steadfast support for the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and for continuing good relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia;

(6) determines that such terror attacks present a clear threat to United States interests in the Persian Gulf;

(7) calls upon the United States Government to continue to assist the Government of Saudi Arabia in its efforts to identify those responsible for this contemptible attack;

(8) urges the United States Government to use all reasonable means available to the Government of the United States to punish the parties responsible for this cowardly bombing; and

(9) reaffirms its commitment to provide all necessary support for the men and women of our Armed Forces who volunteer to stand in harm's way.