To locate and secure the return of Zachary Baumel, an American citizen, and other Israeli soldiers missing in action.
PL 106-89 (H.R.1175), enacted 11/08/1999

PUBLIC LAW 106-89—NOV. 8, 1999 
113 STAT. 1305 
Public Law 106-89 
106th Congress 
An Act 
To locate and secure the return of Zachary Baumel, a United States citizen, and 
Nov. 8, 1999 
other Israeli soldiers missing in action. 
[H.R. 1175] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that— 
(1) Zachary Baumel, a United States citizen serving in 
the Israeli military forces, has been missing in action since 
June 1982 when he was captured by forces affiliated with 
the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) following a tank 
battle with Syrian forces at Sultan Ya'akub in Lebanon; 
(2) Yehuda Katz and Zvi Feldman, Israeli citizens serving Yehuda Katz. 
in the Israeli military forces, have been missing in action since Zvi Feldman. 
June 1982 when they were also captured by these same forces 
in a tank battle with Syrian forces at Sultan Ya'akub in Leb-
anon; 
(3) these three soldiers were last known to be in the hands 
of a Palestinian faction splintered from the PLO and operating 
in S5n*ian-controlled territory, thus making this a matter within 
the responsibility of the Government of Syria; 
(4) diplomatic efforts to secure the release of these individ-
uals have been unsuccessful, although PLO Chairman Yasser 
Arafat delivered one-half of Zachary Baumel's dog tag to Israeli 
Government authorities; and 
(5) in the Gaza-Jericho agreement between the Palestinian 
Authority and the Government of Israel of May 4, 1994, Pales-
tinian officials agreed to cooperate with Israel in locating and 
working for the return of Israeli soldiers missing in action. 
SEC. 2. ACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO MISSING SOLDIERS. 
(a) 
CONTINUING 
COMMUNICATION WITH 
CERTAIN GOVERN-
MENTS.—The Secretary of State shall continue to raise the matter 
of Zachary Baumel, Yehuda Katz, and Zvi Feldman on an urgent 
basis with appropriate government officials of Syria, Lebanon, the 
Palestinian Authority, and with other governments in the region 
and elsewhere that, in the determination of the Secretary, may 
be helpful in locating and securing the return of these soldiers. 
(b) PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN GOVERNMENTS.— 
In deciding whether or not to provide United States assistance 
to any government or authority which the Secretary of State 
believes has information concerning the whereabouts of the soldiers 
described in subsection (a), and in formulating United States policy 
towards such government or authority, the President should take 
113 STAT. 1306 
PUBLIC LAW 106-89—NOV. 8, 1999 
into consideration the willingness of the government or authority 
to assist in locating and securing the return of such soldiers. 
Deadlines. 
SEC. 3. REPORTS BY SECRETARY OF STATE. 
(a) INITIAL REPORT.—^Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall prepare 
and submit to the Committee on International Relations of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations 
of the Senate a written report that describes the efforts of the 
Secretary pursuant to section 2(a) and United States policies 
affected pursuant to section 2(b). 
(b) SUBSEQUENT REPORTS.—^Not later than 15 days after 
receiving from any source any additional credible information 
relating to the individuals described in section 2(a), the Secretary 
of State shall prepare and submit to the committees described 
in subsection (a) a written report that contains such additional 
information. 
Public 
(c) FORM OF REPORTS.—^A report submitted under subsection 
information. 
(a) or (b) shall be made available to the public and may include 
a classified annex. 
Approved November 8, 1999. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1175: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 145 (1999): 
June 22, considered and passed House. 
Aug. 5, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 26, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 35 (1999): 
Nov. 9, Presidential statement.