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Israeli soldiers with the Palestinian
Authority and leaders of the govern-
ments of Syria, Lebanon, and other
countries in the Middle East in an
effort to locate and secure the return
of these soldiers. This legislation also
specifies that U.S. aid to these
governments "should take into con-
sideration the willingness of these
governments and authorities to assist
in locating and securing the return of
these soldiers." The State Depart-
ment is directed to report to the
Congress concerning these efforts.
    Mr. Speaker, our legislation is
introduced in the hope that we can
find answers to the questions that
have haunted the Baumel, Katz, and
Feldman families for almost seven-
teen years. I urge my colleagues to
support this legislation and help to
put an end to this tragedy, and I ask
that the text be placed in THE RECORD.
               H. R. 1175
    To locate and secure the return of
Zachary Baumel, an American Citi-
zen, and other Israeli soldiers missing
in action.
    Be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Con-
gress assembled,
    SECTION 1. CONGRES-
SIONAL FINDINGS.
    The Congress finds that
    A. Zachary Baumel, an American
citizen serving in the Israeli military
forces, has been missing in action
since June 1982 when he was
captured by forces affiliated with the
Palestinian Liberation Organization
(PLO) following a tank battle with
Syrian forces at Sultan Ya'akub in
Lebanon;
    B.  Yehuda Katz and Zvi
Feldman, Israeli citizens serving in
the Israeli military forces, have been

missing in action since June 1982
when they were also captured by
these same forces in a tank battle with
Syrian forces at Sultan Ya'akub in
Lebanon;
    C. These three soldiers were last
known to be in the hands of a
Palestinian faction splintered from
the PLO and operating in Syrian-
controlled territory, thus making this
is a matter within the responsibility of
the government of Syria;
    D. Diplomatic efforts to secure
their release have been unsuccessful,
although PLO Chairman Yasir
Arafat delivered one half of Zachary
Baumel's dog tag to Israeli govern-
ment authorities; and
    E. In the Gaza-Jericho agreement
between the Palestinian Authority
and the government of Israel of May
4, 1994, Palestinian officials agreed
to cooperate with Israel in locating
and working for the return of Israeli
soldiers missing in action.
    SECTION 2. ACTION BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
    A. The Department of State shall
raise the matter of Zachary Baumel,
Yehuda Katz and Zvi Feldman on an
urgent basis with appropriate govern-
ment officials of Syria, Lebanon, the
Palestinian Authority, and with other
governments in the region and other
governments elsewhere which in the
Department's view may be helpful in
locating and securing the return of
these soldiers.
    B.  Decisions with regard to
United States economic and other
forms of assistance to Syria, Leba-
non, the Palestinian Authority, and
other governments in the region and
United States policy towards these
governments and authorities should
take into consideration the willing-
ness of these governments and

authorities to assist in locating and
securing the return of these soldiers.
    SECTION 3. REPORT BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
    A.  Ninety days after the
enactment of this legislation, the
Department of State shall deliver a
report in writing to the Congress
detailing its consultations with gov-
ernments pursuant to section 2(A) of
this act and United States policies
affected pursuant to section 2 (B) of
this act. This report shall be a public
document. The report may include a
classified annex.
    B. After the initial report to the
Congress, the Department of State
shall report in writing within 15 days
whenever any additional information
from any source relating to these
individuals arises. Such report shall
be a public document. The report
may include a classified annex.
    C. The reports to the Congress
identified in paragraph (A) and (B)
above shall be made to the Committee
on International Relations of the
House of Representatives and to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate.