110 HR 5056 IH: Iran Diplomatic Accountability Act of U.S. House of Representatives 2008-01-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5056 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 17, 2008 Ms. Lee (for herself, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. Waters, Mr. Olver, Ms. Norton, Mr. Kucinich, and Mr. Hinchey) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To provide for the appointment of a high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the United States and Iran.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Iran Diplomatic Accountability Act of 2008.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)On December 3, 2007, the National Intelligence Estimate, representing the consensus view of 16 intelligence agencies, concluded that Iran had once had a covert nuclear weapons program. (2)The National Intelligence Estimate also found that Iran had halted its covert nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that this program remains frozen. (3)The NIE concluded that Iran's leadership was quite sensitive to international views and wanted to avoid international confrontation and made a cost-benefit decision regarding whether or not to have such a program. (4)Serious concerns still remain about the Government of Iran’s intentions and behavior with respect to the development of nuclear weapons, especially regarding its fuel enrichment program and the speed with which it might reconstitute its suspended nuclear weapons program. (5)Hostile official rhetoric exacerbates tensions and reinforces misunderstandings and animus between the people of the United States and Iran. (6)The United States should enlist the support of all interested parties to the region, including the IAEA, to establish a program to ensure that Iran's nuclear weapons program is terminated permanently, that its nuclear energy program is brought fully under IAEA inspection and control, and that all diplomatic tools are utilized to achieve these objectives. (7)A diplomatic solution that includes direct, unconditional, bilateral, and comprehensive talks with the Government of Iran is the only way to resolve long-standing tensions between the United States and Iran.

3.

Appointment of high-level U.S. representative or special envoy

(a)

Appointment

At the earliest possible date, the President shall appoint a high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran. (b)

Criteria for appointment

The President shall appoint an individual under subsection (a) on the basis of the individual’s knowledge and understanding of the issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program, experience in conducting international negotiations, and ability to conduct negotiations under subsection (c) with the respect and trust of the parties involved in the negotiations. (c)

Duties

The high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran shall— (1)seek to conduct direct, unconditional, bilateral negotiations with Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the United States and Iran; (2)consult with other countries and international organizations, including countries in the region, where appropriate and when necessary to achieve the purpose set forth in paragraph (1); (3)act as liaison with United States and international intelligence agencies where appropriate and when necessary to achieve the purpose set for in paragraph (1); and (4)ensure that the bilateral negotiations under paragraph (1) complement the ongoing international negotiations with Iran.

4.

Office of high-level U.S. representative or special envoy

Not later than 30 days after the appointment of a high-level United States representative or special envoy under section 3(a), the Secretary of State shall establish in the Department of State an office for the purpose of supporting the work of the representative or special envoy.

5.

Reporting to Congress

(a)

Reports

Not later than 60 days after the high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran is appointed under section 3, and every 180 days thereafter, the United States representative or special envoy shall report to the committees set forth in subsection (b) on the status and progress of negotiations conducted under section 3(c). Each such report may, when necessary or appropriate, be submitted in classified and unclassified form. (b)

Committees

The committees referred to in subsection (a) are— (1)the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and (2)the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

6.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009.