[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 88 (Tuesday, July 7, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7609-S7610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IRAN MISSILE TECHNOLOGY

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to express my serious 
concern about Iran's continuing efforts to obtain missile technology.
  It has been widely reported that Iran has produced chemical weapons 
and is actively pursuing the development of biological and nuclear 
weapons. When these deadly technologies are coupled with advanced 
ballistic missiles, they become true weapons of mass destruction, 
posing a grave and direct threat to U.S. troops stationed in the 
Persian Gulf are as well as our key ally in the Middle East, the State 
of Israel.
  Iran's quest to develop ballistic missiles has been aided by several 
Russian corporations, who have sold Iran key technology and provided 
important technical support. Public reports indicate that Iran is 
extremely close to deploying advanced ballistic missiles. If we fail to 
take meaningful action quickly, Iran could deploy chemical-tipped 
ballistic missiles within one year.
  Congress reacted appropriately to this threat by passing the Iran 
Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act in May by a vote of 90-4. The bill 
would impose sanctions on individual companies--not governments--that 
assist Iran in developing ballistic missile technology.
  To its credit, the government of Russia, after considerable prodding 
from the U.S. State Department, has taken meaningful steps toward 
halting the export of sensitive technology. Unfortunately, these 
measures alone are not sufficient to freeze the Iranian missile 
program. The Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act is needed.
  I regret the Administration's decision to veto this important bill. I 
understand its view that the Executive Branch alone should attempt to 
resolve

[[Page S7610]]

this issue. However, I believe the proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction is an issue of such tremendous importance that legislation 
is warranted.
  I hope the Majority Leader will schedule a vote on the veto message 
soon, and I hope my colleagues will continue to show strong support for 
the Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act.

                          ____________________