[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1477-E1478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN ENTITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 1997

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing bipartisan 
legislation to express congressional sentiment that the proliferation 
of missile technology to Iran from any source in Russia be stopped.
  There is substantial evidence in support of allegations that Russian 
entities have provided assistance to Iran's missile program. According 
to February 1997 reports by the Los Angeles Times and the Washington 
Times, Russia has transferred SS-4 guidance components to Iran. In May, 
the Washington Times further reported that two Russian companies, the 
Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute and Inor, had contracted with Iran 
to supply missile parts and technology, including a wind tunnel

[[Page E1478]]

for missile design, missile design software, and laser equipment. In a 
recent unclassified report, the CIA said that Russia has been a primary 
source of missile-related goods to Iran.
  The transfer of this technology is serious. Missiles modeled on the 
Russian SS-4 would have a reach of 2000 km--enough to threaten United 
States installations in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, Israel, and 
our NATO ally Turkey. Ironically such capabilities also threaten the 
territory of Russia itself.
  Let's not forget the lessons of the Persian Gulf war, when Iran 
targeted Israel with SCUD missiles: rogue countries that have these 
capabilities will not be deterred. Next time they may choose to add 
chemical or biological warheads.
  I have expressed these concerns regarding Russian assistance to Iran 
to Vice President Gore, National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, and the 
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. They assured me that the 
Administration would address this issue and subsequently, it did raise 
it with the highest levels of the Russian Government.
  In several meetings, I have also expressed my strong concern to 
Russian Ambassador Yuliy Vorontsov. The Ambassador told me that the 
Russian Government shares our concern about the threat of 
proliferation. He said it is investigating seriously these allegations 
to determine responsibility. Yet, we have not seen any tangible efforts 
so far that Russia has tried to punish those entities responsible for 
exporting missile technology to Iran.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the 
Russian Government take all appropriate steps to cease the cooperation 
between Russian entities and Iran. The Russian Government has the 
legislative and regulatory tools at its disposal to stop unauthorized 
transactions of missile technology. We are asking that they use them.
  If we do not see clear evidence that Russia has taken practical steps 
to stop missile assistance to Iran, the resolution calls on the United 
States to enact the sanctions provided for in Presidential Executive 
Order 12938 on the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. This 
means freezing the assets and seizing the property of those entities 
responsible for proliferation.
  The resolution also calls for tougher standards for providing United 
States aid to Russia.
  Lastly, the resolution urges our European allies to join us in taking 
action against those Russian organizations and individuals responsible 
for exports that violate international agreements.
  Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the special constraints on the Russian 
Federation as it seeks to improve its export control system--not the 
least of which are the economic conditions of that country. But 
stopping missile technology proliferation to Iran is in everyone's 
interest. It is time for Russia to act.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan concurring resolution