AJCommittee Urges State Department To Issue Designation Of Foreign Organizations As Terrorist Groups

American Jewish Committee
Wednesday, 24 September 1997

The American Jewish Committee has expressed concern that a measure included in the antiterrorism legislation signed into law in April 1996, directing the Secretary of State to designate foreign organizations as terrorist groups, has not yet been implemented. The antiterrorism law prohibits members of designated groups from entering the U.S. and bans fundraising in the U.S. on behalf of those organizations.

In a letter sent to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright by AJC President Robert S. Rifkind and Executive Director David A. Harris, the human relations agency applauded the Administration's strong stand in opposing and combating terrorism around the world.

However, the letter reads, "we are concerned that seventeen months have passed since the antiterrorism law's enactment without any designations of foreign terrorist organizations having been made. We have long been an advocate of a broad and multifaceted response to the global scourge of terrorism and a voice for forceful responses to terrorism, including the enactment of tough and comprehensive federal legislation that gives proper regard to civil liberties concerns. Once such legislation is in place it is a tool that should be applied with a sense of urgency that reflects the seriousness of the threat to which it is addressed.

"We recognize that the designation of an organization is subject to judicial review, and that the Department is obliged to develop and administrative record that will withstand challenge in the courts. But diligence in assuring that an adequate record is created is not inconsistent with acting expeditiously to place into effect measures that, by definition, are directed at persons and organizations whose activities put lives at risk. Nor is there any reason, given the national security interests involved, to delay designation of particular organizations while analysis and preparation with respect to other designations is under way."

The letter continues: "An amendment sponsored by Representatives Schumer and Gilman - which would, in effect, earmark State Department funds to be used for the designation of foreign terrorist organizations - may come up for a vote in the House of Representatives this week. We believe that it reflects a legitimate and understandable sense of frustration with the delay in designation."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org