Corrie family seeks answers at hearing

ELLYN FERGUSON

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON -- The family of Rachel Corrie continued Thursday to press for a more thorough investigation into the 2003 death of The Evergreen State College student in the Gaza Strip.

Rachel's father, Craig Corrie, her sister, Sarah Corrie Simpson, and other relatives sat quietly in the audience during the hearing before the International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations.

Smith, D-Tacoma, and the family was particularly concerned about the single paragraph about her March 16, 2003, death in the State Department's annual report on human rights practices in other countries.

The Corries said the section on Israel and the occupied territories gives an inaccurate account by referring to Rachel Corrie's death as an accident. An Israeli army bulldozer crushed Rachel Corrie as she tried to stop the demolition of a Palestinian home.

Smith said the report makes no mention of the State Department's conclusion that Israel's first investigation was inadequate. That official sentiment should have been reflected in the report, he said.

"It leaves the impression that the Corries are on this lonely quest and that this is just their opinion," Smith said.

"The bottom line is what the Corries want is a full and fair and open investigation into what happened. They and I and others don't believe they've gotten that to this point," Smith said.

Michael Kozak, acting assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, said the Corries should not be alarmed by the report's language.

"Because we don't mention what we've done about something doesn't mean we're taking back what we've said or done," Kozak said.

Smith stressed that he is a supporter of Israel, but believes that such a close ally should be willing to do a credible investigation.