BRIEFING OF SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE STAFF ON BEIRUT EMBASSY BOMBING

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05282972
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 24, 2019
• Case Number: F-2019-00121
• Publication Date: October 1, 1984

Approved for Release: 2019/09/23 C05282972
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
FROM:
1 October 1984
Political Analyst, NESA
Military Analyst, NESA
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SUBJECT: Briefing of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff on
Beirut Embassy Bombing
We spent an hour and a half with the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee staff on 24 September answering questions on the recent
bombing of the US Embassy annex in East Beirut. Topics of
discussion included:
-- Details of the incident: We described the facts concerning
the bombing, most of which came from press
Responsibility: We presented the case against Iranian-backed
radical Lebanese Shias, including both the overwhelming
circumstantial evidence and the specific reports suggesting
radical Shia responsibility for this particular attack. We
dealt with the organizational structure, leadership, and
motives of the Shia terrorist network in Lebanon. We also
outlined the evidence implicating these groups in earlier
attacks against US, French, and Israeli personnel in Lebanon.
The Roles of Iran and Syria: We described the official
Iranian encouragement, training, financial support, and
weapons supply to the Shia extremists. We said that it is
likely that Iranians helped plan the bombing. On the other
hand, we made it clear that we do not believe Syrian leaders
had a hand in the bombing and in fact were angered by it.
Intelligence Warnings: We explained that we periodically had
indications that the radical Shias intended to strike US and
other Western interests in Lebanon but had no way of knowing
when and how. We enumerated the warnings published in recent
intelligence products.
Security Precautions at the Embassy Annex: We made it clear
that they should direct those questions to the appropriate
State or Defense Department officials.
Retaliatory Options: We explained that we do not make policy
recommendations.
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Approved for Release: 2019/09/23 C05282972
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Attendees:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffers:
Charles Berk
Michael Kraft
George Ashworth
John Ritch
Gerald Connolly
David Keaney
M. Graeme Bannerman
Peter Galbraith
Governmental Affairs Committee staffers:
Charles Morley
Mr. GIendening
Briefers:
DI/NESA:
OLL Attendee:
Approved for Release: 2019/09/23 C05282972