MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, December 10th 2024 - 08:41 UTC

 

 

Argentina/Iran ‘Truth Commission’ to resolve 1994 bombing of Jewish centre in Buenos Aires

Monday, January 28th 2013 - 05:26 UTC
Full article 12 comments
Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman and his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi (L) Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman and his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi (L)
Rubble of the Jewish centre bombed in July 1994 which left hundreds killed and maimed Rubble of the Jewish centre bombed in July 1994 which left hundreds killed and maimed

“Memorandum of Understanding” including the creation of a “Truth Commission” between the governments of Argentina and the Islamic Republic of Iran and intended to resolve the 1994 terrorist bombing of the Argentine-Jewish Community Centre AMIA in Buenos Aires was signed on Sunday according to the Argentine Presidential web site.

The accord, which was signed in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in Farsi, Spanish and English by Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman and his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi, consists of ten points:

Among its most important passages the accord calls for the “Establishment of the “Truth Commission” composed of international jurists to “examine all documentation submitted by the judicial authorities of Argentina and of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Commission shall consist of five commissioners and two members appointed by each country (…) and they shall not be nationals of either country.”

Likewise, it is remarked in the document that “Once the Commission has been established, the authorities in Iran and Argentina will send each other and to the Commission's members all evidence and information held regarding the AMIA case.

Plus, and after reviewing the information received from both parties and held consultations with the parties and individuals, “the Commission will express its view and issue a report with recommendations on how to proceed with the case under the law and regulations of both parties. Both parties will consider these recommendations in their future actions.”

Furthermore, the Commission as well the Argentine and Iranian judiciary authorities will meet in Tehran “to proceed to interrogate those for which Interpol has issued a red notice.”

The Commission is authorized to ask questions to representatives of each party. Each party has the right to give explanations or submit new documentation during the meetings.

Even though being signed Sunday, the document remarks that the agreement “will be forwarded to the relevant bodies of each country, whether Congress, Parliament or other bodies for ratification or approval in accordance with their laws.”

In 2007, Argentine authorities secured Interpol arrest warrants for five Iranians and a Lebanese in the bombing of the centre, which killed 85 people. Iran denies links to the attack.

Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi is among the Iranian officials sought by Argentina, which is home to Latin America's largest Jewish community.

Cristina Fernandez said the accord, which must be ratified by Congress, showed Argentina ”would never let the tragedy (attack) become a chess piece in the game of wider geopolitical interests.“

”Dialogue (is) the only way to resolve conflicts between countries, however severe they are,” she said via Twitter.

 

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • LEPRecon

    Truth commission???

    What a laugh that is considering which two Governments are signing it! Most of them couldn't find the truth with both and a flashlight.

    Once again Timmidman has betrayed his fellow Jewish countrymen, and has come away making Argentina looking weak and ineffective.

    Other countries when a similar situation would break off diplomatic relations with a country suspected of funding a terrorist act against their own people, but not this Argentine government, who just sign memorandum of understanding! In other words they are so desperate for support, any support, that they put justice for their own people as second to diplomatic relations with a country, which most other countries recognise as a state sponsor of terrorists, and treat them as such.

    The so-called Truth Commission is an empty gesture that will do nothing and mean nothing.

    Jan 28th, 2013 - 06:13 am 0
  • Boovis

    They seriously think that Iran is going to admit bombing the club? Are they completely mental?

    Jan 28th, 2013 - 07:36 am 0
  • ChrisR

    The governments of both countries are despicable in the extreme.

    Iran is next on the agenda with the USA and Israel, so that will be goodbye from them.

    Let's hope the people of Argentina get their act together soon and remove this viperous bunch of goons TGW TMBOA and her family from the face of the earth. But somehow I doubt it.

    Jan 28th, 2013 - 10:39 am 0
Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!