[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1002-E1003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROSPECTS FOR CHANGE IN IRAN
______
HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 3, 1998
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, on May 21 I joined a Congressional panel
on U.S. policy options and prospects for change in Iran. The panel
discussed President Khatami's election and Iran's efforts to acquire
weapons of mass destruction. I am certain that my colleagues will join
me in recognizing the threat that Iran would pose to the U.S. and the
region if it is successful in acquiring nuclear weapons.
I have introduced legislation (H.R. 3743) to thwart Iran's
development of nuclear weapons. The Iran Nuclear Proliferation
Prevention Act of 1998 will require the withholding of U.S.
proportional voluntary assistance to the International Atomic Energy
Agency for programs and projects of the Agency in Iran. The bill seeks
to limit assistance from the Agency for the completion of the Bushehr
Nuclear Power Plant in Iran. It is believed that the completion of the
Bushehr plant will result in the transfer of civilian nuclear
technology and training that could help to advance Iran's nuclear
weapons program.
Firmness is the only means of deterring Khatami and the clerical
regime from their quest for an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction.
We must make it clear, especially now when the mullahs may well be on
their last legs, that we support the kind of progress towards democracy
and genuine reform promised by the democratic opposition.
Mr. Speaker, I am submitting my remarks to the panel on this matter
to be printed in the Congressional Record:
I want to thank the National Council of Resistance of Iran
for organizing this event and for their ongoing efforts to
focus attention on the rogue regime that continues to reside
in Tehran under President Khatami.
Each of us here today, looks forward to the day when Iran
rejoins the community of democratic nations. However, today
is not that day. President Khatami, while slightly more
moderate than his predecessor will not or cannot overcome the
political forces in Iran which avidly pursue the development
of weapons of mass destruction and continue support for
terrorism.
We have heard many disturbing facts and figures, about
Iranian human rights violations, about chaos and conflict
within the country, and about Iran's support of international
terrorist organizations, such as Hizballah, Hamas and the
Palestine Islamic Jihad, all of which are responsible for
terrorist attacks on Israel. Each of these facts reflects the
ruling regime's status as a rogue state, which considers
itself above international law, with little respect for human
life, let alone human rights. The prospect of that regime
armed with nuclear weapons is not a pleasant one.
Just this week, Russia and Iran announced that over the
strong objections of the U.S. and Israel, that they would be
stepping up their cooperation in the field of nuclear
technology. In fact, Iran's Atomic Energy Minister made it
clear that the two countries are considering further
cooperation beyond their current project to build a nuclear
power plant in Iran.
To give you a little background, Iran has been seeking
nuclear power since the early 1970's, when the Shah attempted
to build two reactors in Bushehr. The project, begun by a
German company in 1974, was suspended following the 1979
Revolution. The clerical regime's efforts to obtain nuclear
capability began in earnest in the midst of the Iran-Iraq
War, in 1985, and in February of this year, Tehran announced
its intention to construct two Russian reactors in Bushehr.
The question remains, why has Iran devoted such colossal
resources, money and effort to build the Bushehr power plant.
Iran claims to need the Bushehr nuclear reactors to supply
energy to the country. Yet, Iran's immense oil and natural
gas reserves call into question its motives for constructing
expensive nuclear reactors. Iran has 9.3 percent of the
world's oil reserves and natural gas reserves, second only to
Russia. Clearly, Iran does not need additional energy
sources,
[[Page E1003]]
nor is nuclear energy an economic choice for Iran. So what is
the motive?
It should not be a revelation to anyone that Iran is
seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
In 1991, Ayatollah Mohajerani, one of Rafsanjani's
deputies, clarified the need to obtain nuclear weapons.
``Since the enemy has nuclear facilities,'' he said,
``Islamic countries must be armed with the same capacity.''
In 1989, Rafsanjani underscored the need to obtain an
atomic arsenal, stressing that ``Iran cannot overlook the
reality of nuclear strength in the modern world.'' Nuclear
arms, in the Tehran mullahs' view, are ``the most important
strategic guarantee'' of their survival.
For this reason, I introduced the Iran Nuclear
Proliferation Prevention Act. The bill will eliminate the use
of U.S. taxpayer dollars to the International Atomic Energy
Agency to provide assistance to Iran for the completion of
the Bushehr plant. The U.S. believes that the completion of
the Bushehr plant could provide Iran with substantial
expertise to advance its nuclear weapons program. It is
ludicrous for the U.S. to support a plant--even indirectly--
which could pose a threat to the United States and to
stability in the Middle East.
Beyond, Iran's nuclear weapons development program, there
is substantial evidence of its efforts to develop other
weapons of mass destruction.
Late last year, Satellite reconnaissance of the Shahid
Hemat Industrial Group research facility, not far south of
Tehran, had picked up the heat signature of an engine test
for a new generation of Iranian ballistic missiles, ``each
capable of carrying a 2,200-lb. warhead more than 800
miles,'' within strategic range of Israel.
In January, a senior Clinton administration official told
the Associated Press that ``Iran's purchase of Russian
missile technology is giving Iran an opportunity to `leap
ahead' in developing new weapons'' and according to a CIA
report, Iran remains the largest illicit buyer of
conventional weapons among `pariah' states, buying an
estimated $20 million to $30 million worth of U.S. military
parts in 1997.
After the cease-fire in the Iran-Iraq War in 1988, Tehran
stepped up its efforts to produce an indigenous chemical and
biological arsenal. Thanks to equipment and technology
legally or illegally imported from abroad, the Tehran regime
is presently able to produce a series of biological and
chemical weapons. Defense Secretary Cohen has expressed
concern that Iran may have produced up to 200 tons of VX
nerve agent and 6,000 gallons of anthrax.
Tehran's unrelenting quest for nuclear weapons and
ballistic missiles clearly attests that the clerical regime
has no intention of moderating its behavior. Appeasement by
the West will only provide the mullahs with more room to
maneuver. We need a comprehensive policy, that both protects
us from the current threat and safeguards our future
interests in that part of the world.
Firmness is the only means of deterring Khatami and the
clerical regime from their quest for an arsenal of weapons of
mass destruction. We must make it clear, especially now when
the mullahs may well be on their last legs, that we support
the kind of progress towards democracy and genuine reform
promised by the democratic opposition.
____________________