[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 9, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H2942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IS RUSSIA OUR ALLY?
(Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, right after September 11, Russia stood with
us as an ally in the war on terrorism, but recent weeks have shown that
Russia may have another agenda.
Russian companies have sold military equipment to Iraq, equipment
used to harm American soldiers. Russian officials were told about this
in June of 2002, but did nothing.
The Russian Government continues to maintain friendly relations with
Kim Jong Il of North Korea, a fact that only encourages this regime's
dangerous actions.
Russia has also been involved in helping Iran develop two nuclear
facilities that are part of a nuclear weapons program. This is in
addition to building Iran a nuclear reactor and providing them with
low-enriched uranium in 1995.
Russia is deeply involved in arming terrorist-sponsoring countries.
Arming rogue regimes cannot be compatible with being an American
ally. We must make it clear that Russia cannot arm America's enemies
and call itself an ally. If Russia wants to be an ally, it is time to
start acting like one.
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