HOW HONEST WAS MENEM?

“Let Canada’s voice be heard in Argentinean terrorist bombing investigation”

Toronto, January 23, 2002

For Immediate Release

Toronto, January, 23, 2002 — When former Argentine President Carlos Menem promised a “swift and prompt investigation” into the 1994 bombing of the Jewish Community Centre (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, his apparent interest in honesty and justice earned him international praise. In light of fresh revelations from Argentinean and Swiss sources indicating that Menem may, in fact, have taken bribes from Iran in return for covering up its involvement, B’nai Brith Canada has called on the Argentinean Federal Justice Department to intensify and widen its investigation to encompass the highest echelons of Argentina’s ruling elite.

Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada commented: “Recent events have shown us all that there can be no compromise with murderers, and no bargains with terrorists. If the trail of blood and money leading to the perpetrators of the AMIA bombing implicates Menem or others in high office, then they must be held fully accountable. It is time for answers, from Mr. Menem, from Iran, and from the suspects arrested for complicity in 1995. And it is time for other countries to follow through on their expressions of sympathy whenever terrorists strike by pressing for answers as well.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, called on Canada to make its voice heard: “As a member of the Organization of American States (OAS), and as a trading partner with significant corporate investment in the region, Canada can bring some influence to bear on making sure that these revelations do not end in further cover-up. We call upon our new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Graham, to use his good offices to pursue this issue with his Argentinean counterpart and to press for full accountability and transparency. Should Iran be implicated, Canada should reconsider its diplomatic ties to the state responsible for such atrocity.”

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For further comment call Rochelle Wilner at (416) 254-1010
or
Frank Dimant at (416) 802-1010

B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.