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July 25, 2003/Tamuz 25 5763, Vol. 55, No. 48
At Argentine memorial, pain - and hope
FLORENCIA ARBISER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
BUENOS AIRES - For the first time since the 1994 bombing of Argentine Jewry's main community center, Jews distraught over the futile investigation say they have some reason to hope.
"There is a small flame of hope surprising us," Sergio Burstein, a relative of one of the 85 people killed in the July 18, 1994, bombing of the AMIA building, told JTA during July 18's annual commemoration.
"We haven't had this feeling in nine years."
The country's new presi-dent, Nestor Kirchner, attended the large out- door gathering.
In an impromptu news conference after the ceremony, Kirchner pledged that he would not rest until the issue was resolved.
In office less than two months, Kirchner already has decided to release secret evidence from Argentina's intelligence services related to the bombing.
Argentine authorities have said they believe Hezbollah and Iranian intelligence agents were behind the attack, which followed a 1992 bombing - also unsolved - at the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires.
The ceremony was held on a small stage close to the rebuilt AMIA building. At 9:53 a.m. - the time of the bombing - the names of the victims were read, and a minute of silence was observed.
A song, written by Sofia Guterman - whose daughter Andrea was killed in the bombing - was played: "On every 18th the stars shine more, the sun sends more powerful rays," the lyrics read.
Jose Hercman, president of DAIA, the Jewish com-munity's political umbrella organization, announced plans to initiate legal action against Carlos Ruckauf, Argentina's interior minister at the time of the bombing, for not carrying out his duty as a public employee.
"It was completely clear that the Argentine govern-ment knew 48 days before that a terrorist attack was going to happen," AMIA President Abraham Kaul said in a speech at the memorial. "We want authorities to say what they have done with that advice."
Kirchner followed the example of former Argentine President Fernando de la Rua, who also attended the bombing memorial during his first year in office.
"We thank you for being here today, Mr. President," Kaul said, addressing Kirchner. "We recognize your positive attitude. But in order to come next year, you will have to continue fulfilling our expectations down this path."
The thousands of people in the crowd included politi-cians, representatives of the Israeli Embassy and Argen-tines of all ages.
The trial against former police officers and a car mechanic accused of having a local connection to the bombing has been going on for 22 months.
It is expected to conclude before the end of the year, and Ruckauf and former members of Argentina's intelligence service are expected to testify.
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