RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY CONCERNING TERRORIST BOMBINGS IN BEIRUT, LEBANON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000807580069-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2012
• Sequence Number: 69
• Publication Date: June 12, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/15: CIA-RDP90-00965R000807580069-2 ILLEGIB
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Report
99-
RESOLUTION OF =UM( ODNCERNING 'TERRORIST
BOMBINGS IN BEIRUT, LEBANON
June 12, 1985.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed
Mr. Hamilton, from the Permanent Select Cdamittee on Intelligence,
submitted the following
ADVERSE REPORT
[rb accompany H. Res. 171]
The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, to whom was referred the
resolution (H. Res. 171) requesting the President to provide certain
information to the House of Representatives concerning covert training of
counterterrorist units to act against anti-American terrorists in Lebanon or
other parts of the Middle East, having considered the same, report unfavorably
thereon and recommend that the resolution do not pass.
COMMIiitz. ACTION
On May 14, 1985, House Resolution 171 was introduced by the Honorable Don
Edwards and referred to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The
resolution requests the President to furnish to the House all documents and
factual information in his possession which relate to covert training or other
support, from January 1, 1984 to May 15, 1985, of counterterrorist units
(including any Lebanese intelligence personnel) to engage in action against
anti-American terrorists in Lebanon or other parts of the Middle East.
Introduction of the resolution followed press allegations that the CIA had
been authorized to train and support counterterrorist units of foreigners for
strikes against suspected terrorists before they could attack U.S. facilities
in the Middle East. Immediately after the introduction of the resolution, the
committee began to interview intelligence officials and review pertinent
intelligence documents. The purpose of this review was to determine Whether
or not any evidence existed to support the charge that the United States
Government, and specifically the Central Intelligence Agency, knew about
beforehand, or was in some way responsible for, a March 8, 1985 bombing
incident in Beirut, Lebanon that caused the loss of at least 80 lives and 100
other casualties.
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On June 12, the committee met in closed session to consider the
resolution. After a discussion of the information derived from its review,
the committee ordered the resolution reported adversely.
E3ACKGROUND
The committee's understanding of the concern which underlies the
introduction of House Resolution 171 is that U.S. counterterrorism policy not
stoop to the tactics of terrorism in seeking to prevent it. The issue posed
by the resolution of inquiry is a serious one. It relates to the U.S. policy
in countering terrorism, about which there is as yet no clear national
consensus.
The committee's review has uncovered no evidence that any U.S.
intelligence agency - any U.S. Government agency - has encouraged or
participated in any terrorist activity in Lebanon. Further, the committee was
able to discover no evidence thatmany U.S. intelligence agency had
fOrarumiedge of the March 8 bombing outside the residence of Sheik Hussein
radlallah.
Without addressing the specifics of the allegations raised in connection
with this deplorable terrorist event, the committee states that its review of
re1evant4ocuments and files and its interview of appropriate government
officials 'leads to the conclusion that no U.S. Government complicity, direct
or indirect, can be established with repect to the March 8 bodbing in Beirut.
Oatil'ilt.t. POSITION
On June 12, 1985, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a quorum
being present, ordered the resolution reported adversely by voice vote.
OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to clause 2(1)(3)(A) of Rule XI of the House of
Representatives, the committee's findings and recommendations concerning House
Resolution 171 are contained in the body of this report.
FISCAL YEAR OOST PROJECTIONS
With respect to clause 2(1)(3)(8) of rule XI of the House of
Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974,
this resolution does not provide new budget authority or tax expenditures.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE
With respect to clause 2(1)(3)(C) of rule XI of the House of
Representatives, the committee has received no report from the Congressional
Budget Office.
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RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
With respect to clause 2(1)(3)(D) of rule XI of the House of
Representatives, the committee has not received a report from the Committee on
Government Operations pertaining to the subject of this resolution.
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