[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          AMERICA IS CONCERNED

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, when Iran's supreme leader, the Ayatollah 
Aki Khamenei, leads thousands of his countrymen in violent protests 
against the United States and Israel, chanting ``Death to America!'' 
and ``Death to Israel,'' America is concerned. When the Russian Foreign 
Ministry says as a matter of official policy that Russia will overcome 
an American missile defense by launching more missiles, America is 
concerned. When North Korea flaunts agreements with the United States 
by continuing to develop long range missiles to attack the U.S., 
America is concerned.
  Every American should be concerned with our lack of missile defense. 
Our cities are vulnerable to destruction. Our military has no defense 
against long range ballistic missiles in spite of the common mis-
perception about Patriot which is only for intercepting short range 
missiles, not ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles). The truth is 
we cannot stop a single ICBM, whether launched by Russia, China, North 
Korea, or even Iran, which is developing long range ballistic missiles 
to threaten us.
  Iran has demonstrated its desire to threaten the U.S. and Israel. 
Iran is matching its religious zeal with its ballistic missile program. 
Iran's missiles threaten Israel and peace in the Middle East. Iran's 
missiles will also eventually threaten American cities. Other countries 
also threaten us. Russia still has over a thousand long range ballistic 
missiles. China is building three new types of long range ballistic 
missiles. North Korea tested last year a three-stage missile capable of 
reaching the U.S.
  These protestors in Iran burnt the American and Israeli flags. They 
climbed on top of buildings opposite the old U.S. embassy compound, 
setting fire to the Stars and Stripes, the blue-and-white Star of David 
flag of Israel, and the Union Jack of Great Britain. America is not 
alone in its need to deploy an effective ballistic missile defense 
system. Ballistic missiles threaten Israel, Europe, Taiwan, Japan, 
South Korea, as well as the U.S. Ballistic missiles are a global 
problem requiring a global solution.
  Congress has recognized the growing threat from long range ballistic 
missiles. Earlier this year, Congress energetically passed legislation 
making it the policy of the United States to deploy a ballistic missile 
defense. This legislation came in the face of North Korea's August 31, 
1998 ballistic missile test, the warnings of the Rumsfeld Commission on 
the ballistic missile threat to the U.S., and the theft by China of 
advanced U.S. missile and nuclear weapons technology.
  But despite the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles, President 
Clinton and his administration have consistently opposed the deployment 
of an effective ballistic missile defense. President Clinton especially 
opposes a missile defense using space. Yet, a space-based missile 
defense could provide the global coverage the U.S. needs to defend its 
armed forces overseas, and its friends and allies such as Israel. A 
space-based ballistic missile defense is technologically feasible, 
using a combination of miniature interceptors, high energy lasers, and 
other technologies.
  We need a President who will be concerned about our defense, and the 
defense of our allies such as Israel. All the legislation passed by 
Congress cannot take effect without a President, a Commander-in-Chief, 
who is willing to work toward, not obstruct, the natural desire of the 
American people to defend themselves from ballistic missile attack. 
Flashy policy statements are no substitute for a real defense. By the 
year 2000, after eight years of office, President Clinton will not have 
deployed a ballistic missile defense, leaving us vulnerable to 
destruction.
  I recently addressed our need to deploy an effective missile defense 
in a series of letters to the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the 
CIA, and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. I have 
addressed our need to deploy an effective missile defense in past 
letters, and in speeches on the floor of the House. I will continue to 
speak out on our need to deploy an effective missile defense, 
especially a defense using space.
  I am encouraged by the policies of countries such as Israel which 
recognize the need for ballistic missile defense. In 1988, Israel and 
the United States began collaboration on the Arrow ballistic missile 
interceptor, linked to President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, 
popularly known as Star Wars. Today, Israel's Arrow missile defense 
program completed its seventh test launch, successfully hitting its 
target. I believe America should continue to support Israel in its 
ballistic missile defense program.
  America needs to be concerned with its vulnerability to ballistic 
missile attack. The ballistic missile threat posed by Iran and other 
countries is real and growing. The threat of ballistic missile attack 
is also faced by our friends and allies. Deploying a ballistic missile 
defense in space will be our best response. It will provide us the most 
effective defense possible, capable of giving global coverage, able to 
assist our friends and allies such as Israel.

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