[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11276-S11277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE IRAN MISSILE PROLIFERATION SANCTIONS ACT OF 1997

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I am joining a large bipartisan group of 
Senators in cosponsoring S. 1311, the Iran Missile Proliferation 
Sanctions Act of 1997.
  This bill addresses one of the most pressing national security 
problems we face--Iran's efforts to acquire technology that will enable 
it to build weapons of mass destruction. Certain Russian entities have 
engaged in some level of cooperation with Iran, and, while the Russian 
Government does not appear to be aware of these activities, the effect 
is the same--putting very dangerous technology in the hands of a regime 
that intends to destabilize.
  Mr. President, all Americans share the goal of stopping these 
technology transfers, but there are clear differences on how to achieve 
it. The administration has launched an aggressive diplomatic onslaught, 
pressing the Russian Government to do all it can to halt these 
activities. Vice President Gore and Secretary of State Albright are 
fully engaged in this effort. In addition, the President has appointed 
top diplomat and former Ambassador

[[Page S11277]]

Frank Wisner as his personal envoy to the Russians on this issue. 
Ambassador Wisner has made several trips to Russia seeking a crackdown 
on exports of sensitive technology and has scheduled another visit in 
several weeks.
  I am hopeful this legislation will help the administration in its 
efforts to impress upon the Russians just how seriously the U.S. 
Congress takes this issue. Diplomacy clearly plays a critical role in 
these situations, but so does the tough approach laid out in this bill. 
The sanctions it provides will send a clear message to Russian entities 
involved in these technology exchanges that they will face heavy costs 
if they choose to proceed with business as usual.
  The Senate version of the bill is not without its problems, however. 
Specifically, the bill does not include a provision allowing the 
President to waive the bill's sanctions if he finds it necessary to do 
so on national security grounds. The House version of the legislation 
does include a waiver, and I am hopeful that any final bill will 
include one. The President needs this discretion in dealing with this 
extremely difficult situation.
  Mr. President, I look forward to continuing to work with the 
administration and Members on both sides of the aisle to address this 
critical threat. It is imperative that we all work together in an 
effort to prevent Iran from acquiring such dangerous and destabilizing 
technology.

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