Copyright 2002 Jerusalem Post
Jerusalem Post
July 14, 2002
HEADLINE: MIA families appeal via US government to leaders of Lebanon, Syria, and Iran
BYLINE: Melissa Radler
(New York) In an effort to secure the release or remains of their loved
ones, the families of four Israelis who were kidnapped by Hizbullah nearly
two years ago are sending letters, with US government assistance, to the
leaders of Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.
On Thursday, Governor George Pataki pledged to have copies of the letter
delivered, through third parties, to Syrian President Bashar Assad,
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, and President Muhammad Khatami of Iran. A
copy of the letter is also being sent to United Nations Secretary-General
Kofi Annan.
"No matter what one's nationality or faith, losing a child destroys one's
world," states the letter, which was signed by the parents of St.-Sgts.
Benny Avraham and Omar Suwayeed and Sgt. Adi Avitan, who were ambushed on
October 7, 2000 in the Mount Dov area, and the wife and son of Israeli
businessman Elhanan Tannenbaum, who was kidnapped eight days later in
Europe.
Earlier this year, the IDF declared the three soldiers were dead, with
their place of burial unknown.
"Of course we hope and pray that our children can be restored to us alive
and able to rejoin the life of our families. However, even if they are no
longer living, we yearn to have their remains brought home," the letter
continues."We wait by empty beds and empty graves for your answer."
The families, who were on their fifth visit to the US since the
kidnappings, also made headway in Washington, where they met with more
than a dozen congressmen and senators. Among them was Rep. Darrell Issa, a
California Republican of Lebanese descent who promised to bring up the
matter directly with the Lebanese government, they said.
Last week, Issa posted photos of the missing men on his Web site with a
note urging constituents to send messages of support to the families.
House leaders also pledged to hold a hearing in the Subcommittee on
International Operations and Human Rights and write a 'Dear Colleague'
letter on the issue, said Minister-without-Portfolio Dan Naveh, who
accompanied the families on their visit.
State Department officials also told the families that they are working on
the issue, and several Jewish leaders and congressional staffers said they
were told it was raised during a meeting last month between US Ambassador
to the UN John Negroponte and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Shara, who
visited New York to preside over the UN Security Council.
However, a spokesman at Negroponte's office said the topic was never
broached. "I don't recall it being raised," he said. "There were a lot of
issues and I don't think we had time to raise it."
MK Eli Cohen, who joined the families in New York on Thursday, noted that
the Knesset is due to vote on Wednesday on a bill that, if passed, will
prevent Israel from signing peace agreements with Syria, Lebanon, or the
Palestinians unless the fate of Israeli MIAs is disclosed. Both Cohen and
Naveh are backing the passage of the proposed law, which has languished in
the Knesset for years.