Argentine Senate approves deal with Iran to probe AMIA bombing

TEHRAN,Feb.23(MNA) – Argentina’s Senate approved on Thursday an agreement with Iran to set up an international “truth commission” to investigate the bombing of the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires in 1994 that killed 85 people, Reuters reported. The two governments reached the agreement last month on how to deal with the attack in which Argentine court authorities have accused a number of Iranians of involvement. Iran has denied any link to the bombing. The pact signed with Tehran has been criticized by Israel and Jewish groups, who fear it could end up weakening the case against Iran. They also see it as a diplomatic victory for Iran. Senators voted 39-31 to approve the accord. The bill will now pass to the lower house, which is also controlled by government allies and could vote as early as next week. The agreement stipulates that the commission - made up of five foreign legal experts - will issue a report after evaluating Argentina’s investigation into the case. Argentine and Iranian judicial officials will then meet in Tehran to question Iranians accused of links to the AMIA Jewish community center attack. Amnesty International in Argentina praised the agreement on Thursday, saying that “although it does not guarantee in any way the success of the investigation, it creates an opportunity to move forward towards justice and reparations for the victims.” Argentine President Cristina Fernandez had originally proposed that a trial be carried out in a neutral country. Fernandez has close ties with other Latin American leaders who are on good terms with Tehran, such as Venezuela’s ailing Hugo Chavez. Argentina is home to Latin America’s largest Jewish community.