[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2071-E2072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IRAN MISSILE PROLIFERATION SANCTIONS ACT, H.R. 2709

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 23, 1997

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, along with a number of my colleagues, I am 
today introducing the Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act

[[Page E2072]]

of 1997. This legislation provides for tougher sanctions on 
organizations, particularly in Russia, that have transferred missile 
hardware or technology to Iran.
  It requires the President to submit a report to Congress identifying 
organizations which have transferred missile hardware or technology to 
Iran after August 8, 1995, when Russia joined the international Missile 
Technology Control Regime [MTCR].
  Those firms identified in the report would be subject to 2-year 
sanctions that include a ban on certain types of export licenses and a 
ban on any U.S. assistance, although the President would have authority 
to waive the sanctions under certain circumstances.
  One of our most important national security objectives is to prevent 
Iran from obtaining, and in some cases improving, their capability to 
develop and deploy weapons of mass destruction. Most critical in the 
short term is the prospect of Iran enhancing its ballistic missile 
capability.
  It is clear that Russia has already provided Iran with critical know-
how and technological support. The question now facing us is whether we 
can halt any further assistance, and time is short. We have only a few 
months to prevent Iran from achieving a significant advance in its 
missile program.
  There is more than credible information that Russian organizations 
have been allowed to assist Iran in this area in violation of Russia's 
international obligations under the Missile Technology Control Regime. 
Amazingly, however, despite such assistance the administration has not 
applied United States missile sanctions laws to these Russian 
organizations.
  The purpose of our legislation to require the administration to face 
up to the dangers that we face as Iran strives to develop weapons of 
mass destruction, and to take appropriate action.

                          ____________________