[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 217 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 217
Condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran (also known as Iran) for
constructing a facility to enrich uranium with potential for developing
a program for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and for
its support of global terrorism.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 12, 2003
Mr. Hastings of Florida submitted the following concurrent resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran (also known as Iran) for
constructing a facility to enrich uranium with potential for developing
a program for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and for
its support of global terrorism.
Whereas in March 2003, the Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) announced that Iran was constructing a facility to enrich
uranium, a key component of advanced nuclear weapons;
Whereas this facility, located at Natanz, can be used to develop nuclear
weapons;
Whereas a second nuclear power plant, projected to be operational by the end of
2003, is currently under construction at Bushehr;
Whereas United States intelligence sources indicate that Iran could develop
nuclear weapons from this facility;
Whereas the unclassified Report on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions,
submitted to the Congress by the Director of Central Intelligence
pursuant to section 721 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 1997 (50 U.S.C. 2366) covering the 6-month period beginning on July
1, 2001 (in this preamble referred to as the ``proliferation report''),
states that Iran may have some capability for biological weapons,
including blister, blood, and choking agents;
Whereas the proliferation report raises questions about Iran's compliance with
its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which Iran
signed on January 13, 1993, and ratified on June 8, 1997;
Whereas in February 2003, the Director of Central Intelligence stated that ``No
Iranian government, regardless of its ideological leanings, is likely to
willingly abandon weapons of mass destruction programs that are seen as
guaranteeing Iran's security'';
Whereas the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 requires periodic reports to
Congress concerning the transfer to Iran of goods, services, and
technology that have the potential to make a material contribution to
the development of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or
ballistic or cruise missiles;
Whereas the unanimous passage in both Houses of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of
2000 demonstrates concern and commitment on the part of the Congress to
monitor the transfer to Iran of materiel for the development of nuclear,
biological, or chemical weapons, and ballistic or cruise missiles;
Whereas Iran has been a signatory of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons (NPT) since January 1, 1968;
Whereas signatories of the NPT are committed to preventing the spread of nuclear
weapons and weapons technology, promoting cooperation in the peaceful
uses of nuclear energy, and achieving nuclear disarmament;
Whereas since January 1984, Iran has been identified by the Department of State
as the most active state sponsor of terrorism;
Whereas Iran continues to provide material support to Hizballah, Hamas, and
Palestinian Islamic Jihad, all recognized terrorist groups;
Whereas Iran increased its support for terrorism by encouraging coordination
among Palestinian terrorist groups following the start of the September
2000 Palestinian uprising;
Whereas approximately 150 members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
remain in Lebanon to coordinate Iranian arms deliveries to Hizballah;
Whereas in its indictments of 14 people in June 2001, the Department of Justice
stated its belief that the government of Iran was involved in the June
1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, which killed 19 United
States Airmen; and
Whereas Iran's construction of nuclear facilities, coupled with acknowledged
ties to terrorist groups, constitutes a threat to global peace and
security: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That the Congress--
(1) calls on the Government of Iran--
(A) to comply with its obligations under the
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC);
(B) to verify compliance with its obligations under
the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;
(C) to sign the Model Additional Protocol of the
International Atomic Energy Agency, which would allow
inspectors freer access to nuclear sites; and
(D) immediately and unconditionally to halt support
for terrorism, renounce all forms of terrorism, and
close all terrorist facilities in Iran;
(2) calls on the President of the United States to set a
new direction, incorporating all available nonproliferation
tools, to redirect Iranian efforts away from nuclear weapons;
and
(3) calls on member states of the United Nations to join
the United States in preventing the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction, and reaffirm their commitment to fighting all
forms of terrorism.
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