[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H11685-H11687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IRAN NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION PREVENTION ACT OF 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on International Relations be discharged from further consideration of 
the bill (H.R. 4851) to withhold voluntary proportional assistance for 
programs and projects of the International Atomic Energy Agency 
relating to the development and completion of the Bushehr nuclear power 
plant in Iran, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.

[[Page H11686]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I do 
not intend to object, but I want to thank the distinguished chairman of 
the Committee on International Relations for assisting us in bringing 
this bill to the floor today, and also the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Hamilton) and the leadership of both parties for agreeing to bring this 
important bill to the floor by unanimous consent.
  The bill sends a strong message to Iran about its efforts to develop 
nuclear weapons, but, most importantly, the bill keeps U.S. taxpayer 
dollars from being spent on Iranian nuclear power reactors whose 
completion is supported by the IAEA and one day could help Iran develop 
nuclear technology to make a nuclear weapon to be aimed at the U.S. or 
its allies.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the gentleman from New Jersey, 
Mr. Menendez, for his perseverance on this important legislation. This 
bill is similar to H.R. 3743, which was favorably reported by the 
Committee on International Relations, and then passed by the House on 
August 3, 1998, by a vote of 405-13.
  Notwithstanding the overwhelming House vote, it is my understanding 
that the Senate opposed portions of H.R. 3743. This new bill modifies 
those portions of the bill and should now enjoy the support of the 
Senate.
  This legislation amends current law to ensure that the U.S. does not 
provide funding for the completion of nuclear power reactors in Iran.
  We all know that the Iranians have dedicated significant resources to 
completing at least 3 nuclear power plants by 2015 and are now working 
with Russian assistance to complete the Bushehr nuclear power plant. 
The U.S. has opposed the completion of the reactors at the Bushehr 
facility because the transfer of civilian nuclear technology and 
training could help to advance Iran's nuclear weapons program.
  Between 1995 and 1999 it is expected that the International Atomic 
Energy Agency (IAEA) will have provided over $1.5 million for the 
Iranian nuclear power program through its Technical Assistance and 
Cooperation Fund. The U.S. provides annual voluntary contributions to 
this fund totally $16 million in 1996.
  This bill does not halt our voluntary contribution to the IAEA. But 
it does require that none of our monies may be used to fund IAEA 
programs and projects in Iran unless the Secretary of State certifies 
that such projects are consistent with U.S. nuclear non-proliferation 
and safety goals and will not provide Iran with training or expertise 
relevant to the development of weapons.
  This is exactly the right policy. The U.S. should not voluntarily 
provide funding which would help Iran complete nuclear power reactors 
that could assist them in developing their nuclear weapons program 
which could pose a threat to the U.S. or its allies.
  The bill also establishes two reporting requirements. One will 
provide the Congress with a comprehensive report on IAEA assistance to 
Iran. The second requirement directs the Secretary of State to review 
IAEA programs and ensure that they are consistent with U.S. nuclear 
non-proliferation and safety goals. Based on that review, the Secretary 
shall direct the U.S. representative to the IAEA to oppose establishing 
any programs that is not consistent with U.S. policy.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the bill, as follows:

                               H.R. 4851

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Nuclear Proliferation 
     Prevention Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Iran remains the world's leading sponsor of 
     international terrorism and is on the Department of State's 
     list of countries that provide support for acts of 
     international terrorism.
       (2) Iran has repeatedly called for the destruction of 
     Israel and Iran supports organizations, such as Hizballah, 
     Hamas, and the Palestine Islamic Jihad, which are responsible 
     for terrorist attacks against Israel.
       (3) Iranian officials have stated their intent to complete 
     at least three nuclear power plants by 2015 and are currently 
     working to complete the Bushehr nuclear power plant located 
     on the Persian Gulf coast.
       (4) The United States has publicly opposed the completion 
     of reactors at the Bushehr nuclear power plant because the 
     transfer of civilian nuclear technology and training could 
     help to advance Iran's nuclear weapons program.
       (5) In an April 1997 hearing before the Subcommittee on 
     Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs of the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations of the Senate, the former Director of the 
     Central Intelligence Agency, James Woolsey, stated that 
     through the operation of the nuclear power reactor at the 
     Bushehr nuclear power plant, Iran will develop substantial 
     expertise relevant to the development of nuclear weapons.
       (6) Construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant was 
     halted following the 1979 revolution in Iran because the 
     former West Germany refused to assist in the completion the 
     plant due to concerns that completion of the plant could 
     provide Iran with expertise and technology which could 
     advance Iran's nuclear weapons program.
       (7) Iran is building up its offensive military capacity in 
     other areas as evidenced by its recent testing of engines for 
     ballistic missiles capable of carrying 2,200 pound warheads 
     more than 800 miles, within range of strategic targets in 
     Israel.
       (8) In January 1995 Iran signed a $780,000,000 contract 
     with the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy (MINATOM) to 
     complete a VVER-1000 pressurized-light water reactor at the 
     Bushehr nuclear power plant.
       (9) In March of 1998, Russia confirmed its intention to 
     complete work on the two reactors at the Bushehr nuclear 
     power plant and agreed in principle to the construction of 
     two more reactors at the Bushehr site.
       (10) At least one reactor could be operational within a few 
     years and it would subsequently provide Iran with substantial 
     expertise to advance its nuclear weapons program.
       (11) Iran ranks tenth among the 105 nations receiving 
     assistance from the technical cooperation program of the 
     International Atomic Energy Agency.
       (12) Between 1995 and 1999, the International Atomic Energy 
     Agency has provided and is expected to provide a total of 
     $1,550,000 through its Technical Assistance and Cooperation 
     Fund for the Iranian nuclear power program, including 
     reactors at the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
       (13) The United States provides annual contributions to the 
     International Atomic Energy Agency which total more than 25 
     percent of the annual assessed budget of the Agency and the 
     United States also provides annual voluntary contributions to 
     the Technical Assistance and Cooperation Fund of the Agency 
     which total approximately 32 percent ($16,000,000 in 1996) of 
     the annual budget of the program.
       (14) The United States should not voluntarily provide 
     funding for the completion of nuclear power reactors which 
     could provide Iran with substantial expertise to advance its 
     nuclear weapons program and potentially pose a threat to the 
     United States or its allies.
       (15) Iran has no need for nuclear energy because of its 
     immense oil and natural gas reserves which are equivalent to 
     9.3 percent of the world's reserves and Iran has 
     73,000,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas, an amount second 
     only to the natural gas reserves of Russia.

     SEC. 3. WITHHOLDING OF VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE 
                   INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY FOR PROGRAMS 
                   AND PROJECTS IN IRAN.

       Section 307 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
     U.S.C. 2227) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Notwithstanding subsection (c), the limitations of 
     subsection (a) shall apply to programs and projects of the 
     International Atomic Energy Agency in Iran, unless the 
     Secretary of State makes a determination in writing to the 
     Committee on International Relations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate pursuant to section 4(a)(1) of the Iran Nuclear 
     Proliferation Prevention Act of 1998, that such programs and 
     projects are consistent with United States nuclear 
     nonproliferation and safety goals and will not provide Iran 
     with training or expertise relevant to the development of 
     nuclear weapons.''.

     SEC. 4. ANNUAL REVIEW BY SECRETARY OF STATE OF PROGRAMS AND 
                   PROJECTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY 
                   AGENCY; UNITED STATES OPPOSITION TO PROGRAMS 
                   AND PROJECTS OF THE AGENCY IN IRAN.

       (a) Annual Review.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of State shall undertake a 
     comprehensive annual review of all programs and projects of 
     the International Atomic Energy Agency in the countries 
     described in section 307(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2227(a)) and shall determine if such programs 
     and projects are consistent with United States nuclear 
     nonproliferation and safety goals.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and on an annual basis thereafter for 5 
     years, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the

[[Page H11687]]

     Congress a report containing the results of the review under 
     paragraph (1).
       (b) Opposition to Certain Programs and Projects of 
     International Atomic Energy Agency.--The Secretary of State 
     shall direct the United States representative to the 
     International Atomic Energy Agency to oppose programs of the 
     Agency that are determined by the Secretary under the review 
     conducted under subsection (a)(1) to be inconsistent with 
     nuclear nonproliferation and safety goals of the United 
     States.

     SEC. 5. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and on an annual basis thereafter 
     for 5 years, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the 
     United States representative to the International Atomic 
     Energy Agency, shall prepare and submit to the Congress a 
     report that--
       (1) describes the total amount of annual assistance to Iran 
     from the International Atomic Energy Agency, a list of 
     Iranian officials in leadership positions at the Agency, the 
     expected timeframe for the completion of the nuclear power 
     reactors at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, and a summary of 
     the nuclear materials and technology transferred to Iran from 
     the Agency in the preceding year which could assist in the 
     development of Iran's nuclear weapons program; and
       (2) contains a description of all programs and projects of 
     the International Atomic Energy Agency in each country 
     described in section 307(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
     1961 (22 U.S.C. 2227(a)) and any inconsistencies between the 
     technical cooperation and assistance programs and projects of 
     the Agency and United States nuclear nonproliferation and 
     safety goals in these countries.
       (b) Additional Requirement.--The report required to be 
     submitted under subsection (a) shall be submitted in an 
     unclassified form, to the extent appropriate, but may include 
     a classified annex.

     SEC. 7. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of the Congress that the United States 
     Government should pursue internal reforms at the 
     International Atomic Energy Agency that will ensure that all 
     programs and projects funded under the Technical Cooperation 
     and Assistance Fund of the Agency are compatible with United 
     States nuclear nonproliferation policy and international 
     nuclear nonproliferation norms.

  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.

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