Chicago, IL, July 19, 1994- The unthinkable has happened again in Argentina. For the second time in a little over two years, a skyscraper in Buenos Aires has been totally destroyed by a mysterious explosion. As in 1992, several groups have claimed responsibility for the massive blast, but no conclusive information has been determined that will provide the actual identity of the assailants. Both Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Argentinean President Carlos Menem have issued statements that they believe that the attack was carried by "Islamic Extremists", but differing opinions have been offered about what specific group may have committed the atrocity.
The demolished building is located on Pasteur street near downtown Buenos Aires. It housed the Mutual Israeli/Argentine Association (AMAI) and the DAIA (Delegation of Argentine/Israeli Associations. Both groups provide support and services to Jewish people living in Argentina. Additionally, the building was reportedly used by a group of researchers studying Argentinean government files on Nazi war-criminals that had entered Argentina after World War II. Buenos Aires is said to have the largest Jewish population of any country in Central or South America.
According to official Argentinean statements 26 people have been killed and as many as 150 people were injured by a monstrous blast that engulfed a seven-story building at 9:55 a.m. on Monday (07/18/94). Several people have been found alive in the rubble in the hours since the detonation. Rescuers are said to be working diligently to free a man that is trapped by a steel beam, at the time of this report. He was found late Monday afternoon, as rescuers heard him shouting for help. Ambulance and Fire Department workers, along with doctors have been working for several hours to free him. At latest report, consideration is being given to amputating his legs in order to free him. Three other survivors were successfully freed from entrapment during the nighttime hours, as rescuers frantically dug with shovels and even their bare hands to save those thought to be alive.
Initial investigations suggest that the explosion was probably caused by a large car or truck bomb, similar to that used in the March 17, 1992, Israeli embassy bombing in Buenos Aires. The damage to surrounding buildings and vehicles would suggest that it was a tremendous detonation, with flames and flying debris causing damage for several blocks. Counter-terrorist experts say that pattern of the explosion is consistent with that used by the Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad organizations in the past. While the analysts say that they must wait for further chemical tests and confirmation, a Chicago-based analyst says the bombing method would appear to be one that uses fuel-oil or gasoline, a nitrogen based fertilizer, and an oxidizer (Oxygen) or chemical accelerant (Hydrogen). The simplicity of these devices and easy availability of the chemicals makes them a favorite of terrorists and a constant threat for anti-terrorist forces.
According to Argentine President Carlos Menem, four people have been detained as they attempted to exit Argentina, shortly after the explosion. One has been identified as Kabir Balkan, age 33, a Moroccan national who was said to have lived within a mile of the blast site. He had reportedly arrived in the country on July 11, 1994. An Iraqi man was also arrested at a Northern border checkpoint near Brazi; he has been identified as Adnan Mohammed Yousif, age 31. Yousif was traveling on an expired passport. Little else is known of Yousif, except that he is in custody.
A man of "middle-eastern extraction", maybe Iranian, and a German woman were also believed to have been arrested as they attempted to leave the Ezeiza International Airport in suburban Buenos Aires; few details regarding their true nationalities or visa status are available. Argentine officials say that all entry and exit points are constantly being monitored for others that might have been involved in the tragic bombing. Train and bus stations are said to be closed and airports closely guarded.
Although completely denied by Foreign Minister Mahmoud Mohammadi, of the Iranian government, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin placed the blame for the attack firmly on the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militant organization. According to a London-based report by the Al Hayat newspaper, Hezbollah had been given a "green light" to carry out "an unusual action" against the Israeli government in retaliation for a May 21, 1994 commando abduction of Mustafa Dirani, leader of the pro-Iranian Faithful Islamic Amal Movement in Lebanon. Additionally, on June 2, 1994, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out an air-raid on a reported Hezbollah training camp near Baalbeck in Eastern Lebanon. American and Israeli counter-terrorist experts had expected a Hezbollah reprisal mission, but reportedly didn't expect the attack to be carried out in Argentina.
Interestingly enough, intelligence sources had reportedly told Al Hayat, last week, that a Hezbollah attack could be expected "in an area other than Lebanon and Syria". Additionally, the perpetrators were to "take into consideration" recently more friendly ties between Iran and European countries like France and Germany. Obviously, that left South America as a viable target. According to the same sources at Al Hayat, Hezbollah has previously made claims that it has an "underground" organization in place, in six different countries, that could carry out terrorist acts "within a very short time". Experts say that the network must have included at least some contacts in Argentina.
So, as rescue efforts continue on the shattered streets of Buenos Aires, a world-wide manhunt has begun to find the "smoking gun" that will point to the perpetrators of the catastrophe in Argentina. For without viable damning evidence regarding this dastardly deed, Argentine leaders may again prove powerless to bring the accused to justice or exact the appropriate measure of revenge against those who would maim and kill the innocent. Such is the nature of international terrorism today.
© EmergencyNet News Service, 1994. All rights reserved. May not
be redistributed or otherwise published without the expressed permission of ERRI/EmergencyNet
News.
Emergency Response & Research Institute
6348 N. Milwaukee Ave., #312
Chicago, IL. 60646
(773) 631-3774 - Voice
(773) 631-4703 - Fax
(773) 631-3467 - Modem/Emergency BBS On-Line
http://www.emergency.com - Main Webpage
webmaster@emergency.com - E-mail
Return to the EmergencyNet News page
Return to the ERRI Counter-Terrorism Archive Page