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“RENEWAL OF THE IRAN LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1452-E1453 on July 26, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RENEWAL OF THE IRAN LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT
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HON. MICHAEL FERGUSON
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 26, 2001
Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, it was not too long ago that Pan Am flight 103 left London's Heathrow airport for New York City on December 21, 1988. The plane was transporting 259 passengers, including students returning for the holidays, families eager to reunite with loved ones, tourists attempting to experience this great nation and business people on a routine trip.
Within an hour of takeoff, an explosion ripped through the plan and swiftly broke the aircraft into three pieces. The plan landed on the small Scottish town of Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 11 residents. If the delayed flight had taken off on time, the bomb would have most likely exploded over the Atlantic Ocean and we might not have ever known the cause of the accident.
Consequently, our government enacted the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act
(ILSA) on August 5, 1996, to address the acts of terrorism condoned by these countries. The law rightfully mandates sanctions against foreign investment in the petroleum sectors of Iran and Libya, as well as exports of weapons, oil equipment and aviation equipment to Libya in violation of United Nations Resolutions 748 and 883. ILSA has served to bring justice to the culprits of these acts of terrorism.
Since then, a Libyan terrorist intelligence officer was found guilty of murder for his involvement in the Pan Am 103 explosion. Despite the conviction of this culprit affiliated with the Libyan government and further evidence indicating that regime's involvement, Libya still refuses to acknowledge any connection to the bombing or pay compensation to the families of the victims.
Today, the behavior that led the United States to take such measures against Iran in the first place has not improved, but grown even more severe in the past year. Iran continues to condone terrorism and recklessly fund groups, such as the Hezbollah, HAMAS, and the Palestine Islamic Jihad, who partake in acts of violence against civilians. Most disturbing, Iran continues efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction--including nuclear, chemical, biological--and the missiles to deliver them.
The recent State Department Report on Patterns of Global Terrorism reiterates, ``Iran remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2000.'' The report also notes Iran has provided increasing support to numerous groups responsible for intentional attacks on civilians, while Iranian agencies ``continue to be involved in the planning and the execution of terrorist acts.'' Moreover, Iran continues to provide funding, training and logistical assistance to a variety of radical groups in the Persian Gulf, Africa, Turkey and Central Asia.
For many years, Iran has been able to finance programs to acquire weapons of mass destruction and support terrorist activity through its energy exports, which are where most of the countries revenues derive. ILSA is an effective measure to deter foreign corporations from investing in Iran and reduce the amount of funds available to Tehran to support terrorism and weapons activities. In fact, ILSA has succeeded in specifically deterring Japanese investment, as well as European allies from investing in the energy sector.
Accordingly, I believe it is imperative the United States send a clear message to nations that resort to terrorism by promoting non-
negotiable policies that directly reinforce the premise that these actions will not be taken lightly and have serious long-term consequences. By not renewing these sanctions or limiting their conditions in any capacity, the United States would illustrate that we are not concerned with offensive Iranian behavior. I strongly urge this Congress not to falter in our resolve to combat terrorism in the world.
We owe the renewal of these sanctions to the 270 victims of this particular act of terrorism, their families, and all the civilians who have been affected by these horrible acts of intimidation.
I pray for the families who paid the ultimate price, who's loved ones died. But they are not forgotten and these sanctions serve as a reminder of the terrorism that took their lives and the unwavering stance we must take. It is our responsibility to ensure that they have not died in vain.
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