[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H6686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1815
  SUPPORT HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 121, REGARDING PROLIFERATION OF 
                 MISSILE TECHNOLOGY FROM RUSSIA TO IRAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Strickland] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a very serious 
issue related to the well-being of our Nation. Recently it has come to 
the attention of the Central Intelligence Agency that nongovernmental 
entities within Russia have participated in the proliferation of 
weapons of mass destruction to the country of Iran.
  This specific trade practice threatens the security of the United 
States and our allies and, quite simply, it endangers our ability to 
maintain world peace. Furthermore, the advancement of weapons of mass 
destruction to Iran happens to be in violation of the Missile 
Technology Control Regime.
  For these reasons alone, this trade between Iran and Russia must 
stop. As history illustrates, Iran has nurtured a reputation for 
terrorism and has consistently displayed open hostility toward United 
States' interests.
  Although Russia has acknowledged previous weapons trade with Iran, 
the most extreme action they have taken to end the current 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is to initiate an 
investigation. As I see it, Mr. Speaker, an investigation does not 
adequately address this critical situation.
  Nevertheless, Russia continues to enjoy foreign aid from the United 
States and the financial profits of trade with Iran. Russia is enjoying 
the best of both worlds at the expense of the safety of innocent 
victims who all too often fall prey to the hostilities instigated from 
Iran's terrorist regime.
  We now have reached a point where agreements and investigations are 
simply not enough. It is time to eradicate the proliferation of weapons 
of mass destruction between Russia and Iran. Congress and the President 
should demand that the Russian government take steps necessary to stop 
all involvement, including the involvement of nongovernmental entities, 
in the disbursement of weapons of mass destruction, especially when the 
country of Iran is involved.
  Furthermore, should Russia ignore our request, we must not simply 
disregard their failure to succumb to peacekeeping efforts, but rather, 
we must take the most serious and effective steps to end this dangerous 
activity and impose sanctions on the responsible parties.
  House Concurrent Resolution 121 expresses congressional concern 
regarding the proliferation of missile technology from Russia to Iran, 
and I strongly urge my colleagues in this House to give their support 
to this worthy resolution.

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