[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2705-S2706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAN

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, as the ranking member of the Senate 
Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, 
I want to express my deep concern about recent developments in Iran.
  Today, the International Atomic Energy Agency is meeting to discuss a 
proper response to findings that Iran has failed to disclose many 
nuclear related activities in violation of the Non-Proliferation 
Treaty. This is a serious issue. There is no doubt that Iran is in 
violation of its commitments under the NPT. The IAEA Board of Governors

[[Page S2706]]

must insist that Iran come into complete compliance with its 
obligations, disclose all information about its nuclear program, and 
allow unrestricted access to IAEA inspectors. Given the high degree of 
enriched uranium found in Iran--weapons grade uranium--and yesterday's 
statement from Iran indicating that it planned to resume enrichment, 
this matter should immediately be referred to the United Nations 
Security Council for further action.
  I am also deeply troubled by Iran's terribly flawed elections of 
February 20. The people of Iran deserve our support and they deserve 
true democratic reform. We cannot turn our backs on the people of Iran 
because its political leadership has failed them. There are an 
estimated 700,000 Iranian Americans living in California who are so 
hopeful for democratic change in their homeland. The election of 
February 20 was clearly a step in the wrong direction.
  On February 12, the Senate passed an important resolution, S. Res. 
304, that was submitted that same day by Senator Brownback. Denouncing 
the elections as harmful for true democratic forces in Iran, the 
resolution stated that the policy of the United States should be to 
advocate a democratic government in Iran that will restore freedom to 
the people of Iran, abandon terrorism, protect human rights, and live 
in peace and security with the international community. I fully agree.
  I hope that the Iranian people know that they have the support of the 
Senate as they aspire for the freedom denied them by the current 
Iranian regime.

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