The text of the resolution below is as of Sep 28, 1983 (Passed Congress).
PUBLIC LAW 98-98—SEPT. 28, 1983 97 STAT. 715
Public Law 98-98
98th Congress
Joint Resolution
Sept. 28, 1983
C!ondemning the Soviet criminal destruction of the Korean civilian airliner.
[H.J. Res. 353]
Whereas the United States joins with the world community in
expressing its outrage over the actions of the Soviet Government
on August 31, 1983, which caused the destruction of Korean Air
Lines flight 7 with the loss of two hundred and sixty-nine innocent
lives;
WhereEis on August 31, 1983, Korean Air Lines flight 7 inadvert-
ently entered Soviet airspace;
Whereas Soviet authorities tracked Korean Air Lines flight 7 for
more than two hours, but did not adhere to all the internationally
recognized procedures necessary to warn the aircraft that it was
off course and to protect its passengers;
Whereas a Soviet Air Force fighter fired air-to-air missiles at
Korean Air Lines flight 7 and destroyed the unarmed, clearly
marked civilian airliner with two hundred and sixty-nine inno-
cent men, women, and children from fourteen nations aboard,
including sixty-one of our fellow citizens;
Whereas among the victims was a distinguished Member of Con-
gress, the Honorable Larry P. McDonald;
Whereas the highest levels of the Soviet Government have lied in an
attempt to justify this unconscionable act and have continued to
deny access to the area where the airplane went down;
Whereas the Soviet Government has publicly proclaimed its inten-
tion to repeat its murderous act if another airliner wanders
inadvertently into Soviet airspace; and
Whereas this cold-blooded barbarous attack on a commercial air-
liner straying off course is one of the most infamous and reprehen-
sible acts in history: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the United Soviet
States hereby— / destruction of
Korean airliner,
(1) condemns the Soviet crime of destroying Korean Air Lines condemnation.
flight 7 and murdering the two hundred and sixty-nine innocent
people onboard;
(2) calls for a full and frank explanation from the Soviet
Union for this brutal massacre;
(3) extends its deepest sympathies to the families who lost
loved ones, and supports their rights to obtain reparations from
the Soviet Union;
(4) calls on the Soviet Union to assist international efforts to
recover the remains of the victims;
(5) calls for an international investigation by the Interna-
tional Civil Aviation Organization into this heinous incident;
(6) declares its intention to work with the international com-
munity in demanding that the Soviet Union modify its air
defense procedures and practices to assure the safe passage of
commercial airliners;
97 STAT. 716 PUBLIC LAW 98-98—SEPT. 28, 1983
(7) finds that this tragic incident, and the Soviet Govern-
ment's refusal to acknowledge responsibility for its wanton
conduct, will make it more difficult for the United States and
other nations to accept the Soviet Union as a responsible
member of the international community; and
(8) urges our allies and other nations to cooperate with the
United States in continuing to demand that the Soviet Govern-
ment unequivocally apologize for its actions, fully compensate
the families of the innocent victims, and agree to abide by
internationally recognized and established procedures which
are purposefully designed to prevent the occurrence of such
tragedies.
Approved September 28, 1983.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 353 (S.J. Res. 158):
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983):
Sept. 14, considered and passed House.
Sept. 15, considered and passed Senate.
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 19, No. 39 (1983):
Sept. 28, Presidential statement.
