[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1215-E1216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       END WEAPONS SALES TO IRAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SCOTTY BAESLER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 24, 1998

  Mr. BAESLER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my disappointment 
in the Administration for its recent decision to veto the Iran Missile 
Proliferation Sanctions Act, H.R. 2709.
  Russia has been a key source for selling weapons technology to Iran. 
Intelligence reports have confirmed that Iran already has a

[[Page E1216]]

self-sufficient chemical weapons program. Their acquisition of missile 
technology would pose an increased threat to U.S. interests throughout 
the Middle East and the world. Developing weapons of mass destruction 
would allow Iran to produce missiles--nuclear, chemical or biological--
with the capability to reach Israel, much of Europe, and, ironically, 
Russia.
  Although a diplomatic solution to this situation has been sought and 
existing law requires the Administration to sanction Russian companies 
that are involved in technology transfers, further legislative action 
is needed. Such action will clearly demonstrate that this behavior is 
not acceptable to the United States. H.R. 2709 was introduced to end 
Russia's missile cooperation with Iran. It specifically targets 
companies known to be providing Iran with missile technology and sends 
a strong message to these companies that their activities threaten 
international security.
  The Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act passed by an 
overwhelming margin in both the House and the Senate. The vote in the 
House was 392 to 22, clearly enough to override the President's veto. I 
urge my colleagues to follow the majority of the House and vote to 
override the President's veto. It's time to end the transfer of weapons 
technology to Iran.

                          ____________________