2d Session
S. RES. 258 Urging Saudi Arabia to dissolve its `martyrs' fund and to refuse to support terrorism in any way.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 1, 2002 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire (for himself and Mr. NELSON of Nebraska) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
RESOLUTION Urging Saudi Arabia to dissolve its `martyrs' fund and to refuse to support terrorism in any way.
Whereas in the days following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, the United States Government, its allies, and friends quickly agreed that identifying and severing sources of finance to entities which support and fund terrorist activities is critical to combating terrorism and preventing future terrorist acts against United States citizens and interests;
Whereas, since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has publicly condemned terrorism in all its shapes and forms;
Whereas on February 5, 2002, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia released a statement--
(1) expressing the commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to preventing charitable and humanitarian organizations and the funds they raise from `being used for any other purpose'; and
(2) confirming `that it will take every measure possible to prevent the use of these charitable efforts for any unlawful activities, in accordance with international resolutions in this regard';
Whereas a press release on the Embassy of Saudi Arabia website states that `the Saudi Committee for Support of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Intifada has so far distributed about SR 123.75 million (U.S. $33 million). Minister of the Interior Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz, who is the Committee's Chairman, expressed his appreciation to the Saudi people for their response in supporting their Palestinian brothers in Israel's blatant aggression against them. Financial aid has been disbursed to the families . . . of 358 martyrs, as well as 8,000 wounded, 1,000 handicapped, and another 102 Palestinians who have received treatment in the Kingdom's hospital.';
Whereas an August 20, 2001, press release on the Embassy of Saudi Arabia website states that the Saudi Government, in 2000, in support of the Al-Intifada (uprising), `. . . offered financial support to one thousand families of Palestinian martyrs and those who suffered injuries in the cause';
Whereas an April 9, 2002 UPI.COM article states that `Saudi Arabia makes no distinction in compensation to families of suicide bombers and those killed by Israeli military action'; and
Whereas martyrs' funds, or any other source of funding, explicitly designed to fund acts of violence, or to compensate the family members of those individuals who engage in violent activities, are recognized as acts to entice and recruit individuals to undertake suicide bombings and other terrorist acts, and reinforces such violence as a legitimate method to air and to forward political grievances and nationalistic goals: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should--
(1) immediately dissolve its `martyrs' fund;
(2) fulfill its stated commitment to combating violence and terrorism; and
(3) eliminate the funding of terrorism in every way possible.