[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 140 (Friday, October 28, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H9373-H9380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONDEMNING IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD'S THREATS AGAINST
ISRAEL
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it shall be in
order at any time without intervention of any point of order to
consider in the House H. Res. 523; the resolution shall be considered
as read; the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the
resolution and preamble to its adoption without intervening motion or
demand for division of the question except: (1) 40 minutes of debate
equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee on International Relations; and (2) one motion
to recommit.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the previous order of the House, I
call up the resolution (H. Res. 523) condemning Iranian President
Mahmoud Admadinejad's threats against Israel, and ask for its immediate
consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 523
Whereas on October 26, 2005, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President
of the Islamic Republic of Iran, declared that ``Israel must
be wiped off the map'', described Israel as ``a disgraceful
blot [on] the face of the Islamic world'', and declared that
``[a]nybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of
the Islamic nation's fury'';
Whereas Iran funds, trains, and openly supports terrorist
groups that are determined to destroy Israel;
Whereas on December 14, 2001, the President of Iran's
highly influential Expediency Council, Ali Akbar Hashemi-
Rafsanjani, threatened Israel with nuclear attack, saying,
``[i]f one day, the Islamic world is also equipped with
weapons like those that Israel possesses now, then the
imperialists' strategy will reach a standstill because the
use of even one nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy
everything [in Israel], while it will merely harm the Islamic
world'';
Whereas Iran has aggressively pursued a clandestine effort
to arm itself with nuclear weapons; and
[[Page H9374]]
Whereas the longstanding policy of the Iranian regime aimed
at destroying the democratic state of Israel, highlighted by
statements such as those by Ahmadinejad and Rafsanjani,
underscores the danger of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns, in the strongest terms, Ahmadinejad's
outrageous and despicable threats and demands that he
repudiate them;
(2) calls on the United Nations Security Council and all
civilized nations to condemn and reject these statements and
to censure Iran for its statements and for its policies aimed
at destroying Israel;
(3) further calls on the United Nations Security Council
and all civilized nations to consider measures to deny Iran
the means to carry out its threats and to prevent Iran from
acquiring nuclear weapons; and
(4) reaffirms the unwavering alliance between the United
States and Israel and reasserts the commitment of the United
States to defend the right of Israel to exist as a free and
democratic state.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of today,
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).
General Leave
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on the resolution under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this should be a week in which people around the world
consider and celebrate the progress that has been made in interfaith
relations in the modern era. We are marking the fact that 40 years ago
today, His Holiness Pope Paul VI issued Nostra Aetate, ``In Our
Times,'' the landmark declaration of the Roman Catholic Church on its
relations with non-Christian religions, in particular Islam and
Judaism. That declaration began 4 decades of very important and very
helpful dialogue among the world's major faith communities.
In sharp contrast to the spirit of Nostra Aetate, we witnessed on
Wednesday a shocking and venomous instance of political and religious
intolerance. The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a
series of threats against the State of Israel, couched in religious or,
perhaps I should say, pseudo-religious terms. President Ahmadinejad
said, in essence, that for religious reasons, the State of Israel
should be wiped off the map. Evidently, the world has not had enough
genocide and ethnic cleansing.
This is not a position shared by most Muslims. Iranians in particular
have had enough of the intellectual, economic, and spiritual poverty
imposed upon them by their unelected or nominally elected officials.
{time} 1000
That poverty will only deepen as Iran finds itself isolated by the
sort of rhetoric spouted by President Ahmadinejad.
We can take comfort from the fact that our response of dismay is
shared by many in the world community. In particular, the response of
Palestinian leader Saeb Erakat is worth noting: ``We have recognized
the State of Israel, and we are pursuing a peace process with Israel.
And we do not accept the statements of the President of Iran.''
In this resolution, we express our rejection of the statements of the
Iranian president and call upon him to repudiate them. Further, we ask
the world community to consider whether a government that calls for the
elimination of another state should remain in possession of the means
to carry out its threats. Israel is entitled to take these threats
seriously, as are all other nations, and Iran will have to be prepared
to bear the consequences.
I urge the adoption of the resolution and wish to express my
appreciation of the leadership shown on this issue by the gentleman
from Indiana (Mr. Pence) and by my colleague from California, our
ranking Democrat (Mr. Lantos).
The gentleman from Indiana has an important markup, and so I would
like to yield to him briefly at this time.
Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and am
deeply humbled to rise during the chairman's time and prior to the
ranking member's time.
I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for the courtesy
in recognizing a markup schedule on the Hill. I am deeply humbled to
stand between Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde, who are the two leading voices
for human rights and for the relationship between the people of the
United States of America and the people of Israel.
I rise in support of House Resolution 523 that recognizes an
extraordinary and, as Chairman Hyde just said, shocking and venomous
moment in world debate. On October 26, 2005, President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, declared
that Israel must be ``wiped off the map.'' He described Israel as,
quote, a disgraceful blot on the face of the Islamic world. Such
rhetoric is, as this resolution states, outrageous and despicable. It
is, in my judgment, in the heart of the American people to rise in this
Congress, in these extraordinary times and speak this truth to that
power, and that is that the people of the United States cherish the
dream that became the reality of Israel in 1948, and we categorically
condemn rhetoric of this nature.
This resolution calls bravely on the United Nations Security Council
and all civilized nations to condemn and reject these statements. Let
the world know, the American people pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
for all the people of all the faiths in Jerusalem. We long for justice
in the region. And only if the world will come together and condemn
this venomous and despicable and shocking statement by the president of
the Islamic Republic of Iran will that peace and justice ever be
achieved.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back to the chairman with gratitude and
appreciation for his and the gentleman from California's leadership in
bringing this important resolution before the Congress.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Let me first pay tribute to my friends and distinguished colleagues,
Chairman Hyde and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) for their
powerful and eloquent statements.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Two days
ago the leader of Iran made one of the most repugnant remarks the
international community has heard since Adolf Hitler. With his bone-
chilling call for Israel to be wiped off the map, the Iranian dictator
placed himself and his benighted regime far beyond the pale of the
civilized world.
I would hope that everyone in this body would be sickened by the
Iranian dictator's contemptible sentiments. And I would hope that every
civilized nation is likewise appalled by it, and condemns Iran in the
strongest possible terms.
But, Mr. Speaker, this latest outrage from Tehran comes as no
surprise. The Iranian leader has made graphically explicit what many of
us have long known. Since day one of its existence, the Iranian regime
has craved Israel's destruction and has been working assiduously
through terrorism and all other means to achieve that goal. Iran's
support for terrorist groups that are determined to destroy Israel is
well known. Iran is Hezbollah's puppetmaster and increasingly the
banker and mentor for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad as well. And
Iran would almost certainly put any nuclear arms it produces or
acquires at the service of this nefarious end. All of this should, by
now, be clear, even to the most gullible. This has nothing to do with
Israel's policies. Tehran simply rejects Israel's right to exist.
Anyone who still does not get the message should read the Iranian
Foreign Minister's response to criticism of the Iranian President's
remarks yesterday. And I quote, ``The comments expressed by the
President is the declared and specific policy of the Islamic Republic
of Iran. We don't recognize the Zionist regime and don't consider it
legitimate.'' That is what the Iranian Foreign Minister said yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, it is crucial that the United Nations Security Council
censure Iran in the strongest terms possible for its leader's
disgusting, bellicose statement, and that it insist that
[[Page H9375]]
Iran repudiate those statements and halt its support of terrorism.
And it is more urgent than ever that the Security Council take up the
issue of preventing Iran's nuclearization and agree on strong
sanctions. Let me remind everyone that 4 years ago another powerful
Iranian leader, Ali Rafsanjani, openly boasted that Iran would win a
nuclear exchange with Israel.
Mr. Speaker, when Hitler threatened to destroy the Jews, almost
nobody took him seriously. The appeasers and the pseudosophisticates
said it was just rhetoric. But madmen often mean exactly what they say,
as we learned only under the most tragic circumstances, and now Iran is
declaring its ugly, unthinkable intent for all to hear. And the world
is tested yet again.
Mr. Speaker, Iran is guilty of a multitude of sins and assaults on
civilization beyond its policy of attempting to delegitimatize the
State of Israel. Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of
terrorism. It ceaselessly meddles in Iraq, sowing violence and chaos
and undermining that fragile new society's quest for stability and
peace, and it is an unapologetic enemy of the United States, as
government-sponsored demonstrations all over Iran on this very day make
it crystal clear. These are just a few elements of its dangerous
behavior, and we shall return to all these concerns on another day.
But Ahmadinejad's inflammatory statement compels us today to focus on
Iran's ugly fanaticism-based opposition to Israel's existence and the
threat that a nuclear Iran would pose to Israel and to all nations of
the Middle East. I know of no situation in the world remotely
comparable to this one where a power hell-bent on acquiring nuclear
arms declares its determination to wipe one of its neighbors off the
map. And in this case, the neighbor that is the object of this
vituperation and this murderous intent is the sole democracy in the
Middle East and a close ally of the United States of America.
Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that our resolution will in itself
dissuade Iran from its repugnant views or deter it from its planned
horrible deeds, but it is morally imperative that we speak out, that we
draw attention to a potentially impending nightmare, and that we demand
that this time the world take action before it is too late. That is
what our resolution does, Mr. Speaker, and that is why I unreservedly
support it and urge all of my colleagues to do so.
Just a few minutes ago, Mr. Speaker, Reuters reported another
megalomaniacal and insane statement by the President of Iran. He said,
and I quote, that he stands by his call to wipe Israel off the map. My
words are the Iranian nation's words: Westerners are free to comment,
but their reactions are invalid, end quote.
All of us in this body should reject, denounce and repudiate the
outrageous statements of the leader of Iran and stand up for our
friend, the democratic State of Israel.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the time.
I rise to strongly condemn the statements made by Iran's so-called
President and to call on the international community at the United
Nations to take swift action to compel Iran to change its destructive
behavior.
I rise in support of this resolution, and I thank Chairman Hyde and
Ranking Member Lantos and our leadership for bringing this important
measure before this House this morning.
Earlier this week, Iran's so-called President called for Israel to be
wiped off the map and for a new wave of Palestinian attacks to destroy
the Jewish State.
He further stated that anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the
fire of the Islamic nations' fury, while any Islamic leader who
recognizes the Zionist regime means that he is acknowledging the
surrender and the defeat of the Islamic world.
Nations throughout the world have condemned the regime's comments,
but the international community needs to do more.
The Iranian leadership has a history of calling for the wholesale
destruction of Israel. On December 14, 2001, the current president of
Iran's Expediency Council and the former Iranian President Rafsanjani
threatened Israel with nuclear attack saying that the use of even one
nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy everything in Israel, while it
will merely harm the Islamic world.
Iran's behavior is a threat to peace and security and, as such, runs
contrary to the United Nations Charter and the spirit of an
organization built upon the ashes of the Second World War.
In calling for the destruction of Israel, Iran, a U.N. member state,
stands in grave breach of the U.N. Charter which stipulates that member
states must foster peaceful relations with one another.
My colleagues and I are circulating letters to Secretary Rice and
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan calling not only for Iran to be
censured, as this resolution rightfully does, but for the U.N. Security
Council to recommend expulsion of Iran from the United Nations system.
I support this resolution before us because it calls for all
civilized nations to consider measures to deny Iran the means to carry
out its threats and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
{time} 1015
However, Mr. Speaker, we need to do more to secure concrete actions
from our allies. We need to leverage all of our political, diplomatic,
and economic tools to ensure that Iran does not cross the nuclear
threshold, that it stops its chemical and biological weapons program,
that it ends its sponsorship of terror and it stops oppressing its own
people.
H.R. 282, the Iran Freedom Support Act, which I introduced with my
distinguished colleagues, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos),
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), the gentleman from California
(Mr. Berman), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), and the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman), provides a comprehensive,
multi-tiered, non-military approach to the Iranian threat. The
legislation has 325 co-sponsors, and I urge that it be acted upon
before the House adjourns this year.
Mr. Speaker, Iran is the full ticket. It is not just Israel's
problem. It constitutes a clear and present danger to regional and
global security and must elicit a clear and comprehensive response.
The time has come for Congress and the international community to
hold Iran accountable for its destructive behavior. I urge my
colleagues to render their strong support for this resolution, but we
must do more. We must also pass H.R. 282. It seeks to hold the Iranian
regime accountable for its unacceptable behavior and to contain the
threat by denying Tehran the resources to engage in its sponsorship of
terrorism worldwide, its development of long-range missiles, and
chemical, biological and possibly nuclear weapons, and its repression
of the Iranian people.
I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution, but also to pass H.R.
282.
Congress of the United States,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, October 25, 2005.
Hon. Henry J. Hyde,
Chairman, Committee on International Relations, U.S. House of
Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Hyde: I would like to take this opportunity
to respectfully request that H.R. 282 be scheduled for mark-
up by the Committee next month (November 2005).
H.R. 282, seeks to hold the Iranian regime accountable for
its unacceptable behavior and to contain the threat by
denying Tehran the resources to engage in its sponsorship of
terrorism worldwide, its development of longer-range missiles
and chemical, biological, and, possibly, nuclear weapons and
its repression of the Iranian peeople.
General Background
Mr. Chairman, almost three years of negotiations between
the E3-EU countries and the Iranian regime have yet to yield
a permanent suspension of enrichment activities and a
dismantling of Iran's nuclear program. On the contrary Iran,
in August of this year, resumed its nuclear efforts removing
the IAEA seals on the uranium conversion plant at Isfahan
and, in September, Iran began to transfer more of its nuclear
program under military control.
Referral of the Iran case to the UN Security Council,
should that occur, would not necessarily yield any concrete
steps to contain or halt Iran's nuclear pursuits.
Lastly, the E3-EU/Iran negotiations fail to address other
critical issues of great importance to U.S. national security
interests
[[Page H9376]]
such as Iran's sponsorship of terrorist activities, including
in Iraq, while H.R. 282 seeks to cover the range of U.S.
policy priorities.
Procedural Background
On April 13, 2005, the Subcommittee on the Middle East and
Central Asia held a mark-up session to consider H.R. 282. The
legislation was amended and adopted by unanimous consent and
forwarded by voice vote to Full Committee for action.
My Subcommittee Staff Director has worked with your staff
on the full Committee to seek input from the Administration,
having met with NSC and State officials on May 25, 2005 and
on June 27, 2005. At the June 27th meeting, a written line
in/line out was promised ``in the next couple of weeks.'' In
mid-July, a deadline of July 22nd was given to the NSC to
provide a line in/line out to the Committee but it was not
met.
On September 28, 2005, I met with , who asked for more
time before calling for a Full Committee mark-up of H.R. 282.
I agreed to wait a few weeks.
It has now been a month since that meeting and the Russian
Federation remains opposed to referral of the Iran case to
the UN Security Council and insists on ``Iran's lawful right
to a peaceful nuclear energy program.'' Further, the position
of the EU now appears to be focused merely on convincing
Tehran to ``resume talks'' and ``resume suspension.''
In the interim, Iran inches closer to crossing the nuclear
threshold.
Status of H.R. 282
Mr. Chairman, H.R. 282 provides critical leverage for the
Administration to use to compel greater action from U.S.
allies who, months ago, were asked by the U.S. to consider
individual sanctions on Iran for its breaches and, instead,
continue their multibillion dollar investments in Iran's
energy sector.
H.R. 282 is in keeping with U.S. efforts to address the
multiple threats posed by the Iranian regime, as well as with
the U.S. strategy to bring freedom and democratic governance
to the people of the Middle East.
H.R. 282 currently enjoys the support of 325 co-sponsors,
including:
Members of the Republican and Democrat Leadership
Three-fourths of the Members of the Committee on
International Relations (22 out of 27 GOP/17 of 23 DEM)
7 Full Committee Chairs and 8 Ranking Members
49 of 65 Members of the Committee on Armed Services
17 of 21 Members of the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence
25 of 34 Members of the Committee on Homeland Security
42 of 66 Members of the Committee on Appropriations
Committee Action Requested
Mr. Chairman, you have exerted Congressional oversight and
the Committee's jurisdiction on a range of important issues
such as the U.S.-India nuclear deal and the amendment to the
Iran Nonproliferation Act, despite Administration concerns.
In that vein, I ask for your assistance and respectfully
request that you immediately schedule H.R. 282--the Iran
Freedom Support Act--for mark-up.
Sincerely,
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
Chair, Subcommittee on the
Middle East and Central Asia.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Crowley), a distinguished member of the Committee on
International Relations.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution
introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman
from California (Mr. Lantos).
The President of Iran stated clearly that his intentions are to wipe
the State of Israel off the map. He followed up these remarks the other
day by saying, ``My words were the Iranian nation's words.''
These comments further highlight the nefarious intentions the Iranian
regime has towards not only Israel but towards the West.
You would think when international pressure is bearing down on Iran
over the refusal to allow IAEA inspections, they would not be making
such disgusting comments. The United States must start a serious
diplomatic effort to ensure that a vote is taken next month to bring
the Iran nuclear program to the Security Council.
The Iranian leadership will continue to make these outrageous
statements, but it is not just words for Iran. A U.N. report released
this week said large shipments of weapons from Iran are being shipped
through Syria to Palestinian terrorists. Israel and the Palestinians
have a chance for peace, but this chance will not be achieved if bad
actors like Iran and Syria continue to fan the flames of violence.
I do not believe the majority of the Iranian people support the words
of Mr. Ahmadinejad. His hard-line politics make him a favorite of the
ruling mullahs, and he was able to win the presidency when the
reformist voters chose not to vote instead of supporting him. It is not
as if the Council of Guardians gave the Iranian people any other
choice. They made sure that any candidate representing reformist views
was removed from the ballot.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution, and I urge all of my
colleagues to send a message to the Iranian regime that we do not
support these unacceptable and disgusting statements.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay).
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and I thank the ranking
member for bringing this very important resolution to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, the words this week from the President of Iran were
shocking but, unfortunately, not surprising. ``Israel must be wiped off
the map . . . and God willing, with the force of God behind it, we
shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism.''
These are words of hate, the words not of a legitimate world leader
but of an enemy to peace, to freedom, and to the United States.
That Iran's corrupt ruling elite have their boot heel on the neck of
moderate reform is not a secret. Nor is Iran's obsession with the
development of nuclear weapons with which to destroy Israel any hope
for freedom in the Middle East; nor is Iran's membership in and
sponsorship of a psychopathic cult of violence and murder that is right
now a clear and present danger to the safety of every citizen of the
United States, Israel, Iraq, and every other democracy on Earth.
This week's rhetorical outburst, repugnant as it is, Mr. Speaker, is
simply a verbal expression of the ayatollah regime's most basic
political aspiration, the destruction of Israel and the extermination
of the Israeli people. That regime, clinging both to power and the
past, will one day fall to a new generation of Iranians, devout in
their faith, tolerant in their politics, and free in their hearts.
The democratic opposition to the ayatollahs is the future, and a
bright one at that. They deserve our support as much as the Tehran
regime deserves our scorn and suspicion.
This week's outburst, a direct threat to our ally and our interests,
must be condemned in the fiercest terms and backed up by a renewed
commitment by this House and this Nation to develop substantive
policies to bring about desperately needed political reform in Iran.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Schiff), a distinguished member of the Committee on
International Relations.
Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, anyone who held out hope that despite his reputation as
a hard liner that Iran's new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, would
adopt a more statesmanlike posture in office, has been bitterly,
tragically, and unequivocally set straight. The Iranian dictator has
instead chosen the role of international outlaw.
With his remarks 2 days ago that Israel must be wiped off the map,
the Iranian strongman showed utter disregard for human life and for the
central principle of the United Nations and the modern international
system. Ahmadinejad's outrageous remarks were reinforced today by
massive demonstrations in Iran that further threaten to ignite tensions
in a volatile region of the world and undermine the fragile Israeli/
Palestinian peace negotiations.
What makes Ahmadinejad's remarks all the more disturbing is that they
come at a time when Iran is actively pursuing nuclear weapons that
could make his harsh rhetoric a reality. How can the world stand by
while an outlaw nation attempts to gain nuclear weapons? How can the
world stand by while an outlaw nation announces its despotic intentions
to annihilate millions of people? Should Iran one day act on its
murderous intent, how can the world claim surprise?
As our ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos),
points outs, sometimes a madman means exactly what he says. The world
must unite to condemn these threats
[[Page H9377]]
and this episode must stiffen the resolve of Europe and the United
Nations to ensure that Tehran will never, never acquire nuclear
weapons.
I thank the chairman and the ranking member for the leadership in
offering this resolution, and I am proud to sponsor it.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the learned gentleman
from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the
resolution. We need to send a message. This message is being sent
immediately upon hearing these despicable words from the President of
Iran. Again, understanding the significance of these words, we must
recommit ourselves in this body to seeing to it that Iran never does
possess nuclear weapons and these weapons of mass destruction that
would create a hell on Earth and not only disturb the peace but could
threaten the lives not only of the people of Israel but the people
throughout the world who support Israel's right to exist.
Let me make that very clear. All of our allies, all of our neighbors,
every neighborhood in the United States of America would be at risk if
the Iran mullah regime has possession of nuclear weapons. We know this
not because Iran threatens Israel. We know this because any country
that has a president that would threaten to wipe off the face of the
map another country is a threat to all decent people in the world, and
they know it.
The President of Iran has said they will wipe Israel off the face of
the map. Let us note that he and those in his regime hold power only
because the people of Iran are denied the right to choose their own
leaders. He is not the President of Iran; he is part of a gangster
regime run by radicals who are out of touch with Islam and do not
represent their own people.
As so often happens, those who oppose the freedom of their own people
end up being a threat to the peace and stability of the world, and that
is exactly what this statement exemplifies.
The mullahs are playing a horrible role in the lives of their own
people. They promote hatred, violence, and intolerance in a region that
is desperate for peace. They are spreading hatred and violence and an
intolerance in a region that right now is poised and ready for peace,
reconciliation and, yes, democracy.
The people of Iran are not our enemies. This resolution is not about
the people of Iran. We would ask the people of Iran today to join with
us, the free people of the world and the decent people of the world, in
building a better world, a peaceful world, a tolerant world, a world of
democracy and freedom. We can do this together by eliminating the
mullah regime. They are the ones that should be removed from the face
of the planet, not Iran, but their mullah regime, the dictatorship that
holds power over them.
They should go back to the mosque. The people of Iran should be free.
The people of the region of the Middle East, including the people of
Israel, should live in peace and harmony with their neighbors. That is
what this resolution is all about.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my good friend from
Texas (Mr. Al Green).
(Mr. AL GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for this opportunity to speak.
Mr. Speaker, Emily Dickenson said that ``a word is dead when it is
said some say. I say it just begins to live that day.''
These words of hate are taking on life, Mr. Speaker. These words of
hate are a clarion call to us to take affirmative action to make sure
that this president is never armed with nuclear weapons. This president
with these words of hate could create a nuclear holocaust, an inferno
if you will, unlike which even the mind of Dante could imagine.
We must not allow these words of hate to go unchallenged. This is why
I rise today. I rise because I support the resolution. I believe that
this is the appropriate action for us to take as a first step.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Kirk).
Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I praise Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member
Lantos for bringing this resolution so quickly to the floor.
Adolf Hitler said when genocide was committed against the Armenians,
No one will remember. But we remember. When ``Mein Kampf'' was written,
the dictator said he planned genocide against the Jewish people, but
the international community ignored his plan and 6 million died in the
death camp ovens.
{time} 1030
Now, the leader of Iran delivered his ``Mein Kampf'' speech
committing Iran to a policy of genocide against Israel.
He told us that he seeks to kill another 6 million Jews in Israel,
but if Iran builds nuclear weapons and missiles, he will not only
commit a second Jewish Holocaust, he will also kill 1 million Arabs
that live in Israel. He would kill them, too. The fallout from his
attack would also deposit poison on Jordan, and he would kill them,
too.
The President of Iran's speech was not religious. It was genocidal.
The President of Iran's speech was not for the Muslim faithful. It is
going to lead to the death of Muslims living in Israel and Jordan.
If the failure of the League of Nations against Hitler teaches us
anything, it is that the international community must listen to the
warnings of would-be leaders of genocide and stop them. The United
Nations, formed out of the ashes of Germany, committed itself to
stopping men of this kind who plan to commit genocide against other
Nations.
Every generation is tested by dictators, and the Iranians are
becoming our generation's test. Let us join with the United Nations and
moderate Muslim Nations to say that we have read the lessons of
history, and we will now act collectively to stop them. This is our
generation's test, and we owe it to our grandparents who opposed the
dictators to make this a collective action before the danger against
millions grows.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the
distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, the history of the 20th century aptly
teaches us that when tyrants threaten genocide and mass murder, their
words must be taken seriously because they have a tendency to do
exactly what they said they would do.
When President Ahmadinejad of Iran threatened to destroy Israel, says
Israel must be wiped off the map, he joined the fellow he defeated in
the election, the former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who said
that Israel must be destroyed by nuclear weapons, and it does not
matter. One nuclear bomb will destroy Israel, and nuclear war will
merely harm, not destroy, the Islamic world.
These men must be taken seriously. The threats of genocide must not
be permitted to be carried out. Iran is the enemy of peace and the
enemy of order and the enemy of mankind in its behavior and its
proclaimed intentions. Iran must not be permitted to have nuclear
weapons.
It is a shame that this country got diverted into Iraq from focusing
on the real threat to peace in the world, Iran, and we should focus on
Iran and make sure they do not get nuclear weapons, and make sure they
return to peaceful sanity.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good
friend and distinguished colleague from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).
Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois and the
kind gentleman from California for bringing this resolution to the
floor today and allowing me to join them as a cosponsor.
On Wednesday at a speech in front of 4,000 Iranian students, the
President of Iran called for Israel to be ``wiped off the map.'' He led
a group of students in chants of ``death to Israel.''
Our message to Iran and its President is firm. We condemn in the
strongest terms his dangerous and reckless remarks. These comments are
a wake-up call to the international community as we deal with Iran's
attempt to gain access to nuclear technology.
It goes without saying, Iran's words are a challenge to all members
of the
[[Page H9378]]
United Nations and the integrity of the United Nations Charter and
those who have signed on to it. As a member of the United Nations, the
President of Iran's comments violate U.N. rules and must be dealt with
decisively by the United Nations leadership and all those in the
Security Council.
This kind of hateful rhetoric, it breeds a terrorism and a violence
that we saw in the 20th century, and we took steps to deal with that
type of reckless, hateful speech. Yet, unfortunately, it is what we
have come to expect from Iran's leadership, but I do not believe that
spirit or those words represent the aspirations of the Iranian people.
I support this resolution and urge my colleagues in both parties and
those in the world body to condemn its hatefulness in all its forms.
Again, I want to thank my two colleagues from Illinois and from
California for their leadership and the speed in which they brought
this resolution to the floor, because today, when it comes to hate, the
United States Congress speaks with one forceful voice.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to my good
friend and distinguished colleague from Texas (Mr. Gene Green).
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my California colleague
for yielding me time.
I rise to condemn in the strongest way statements made by President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad earlier this week and strongly urge my colleagues
to join me in supporting the resolution.
Earlier this week, the President of Iran repeated the late Ayatollah
Khomeini's call, stating, ``Israel must be wiped off the map,''
described Israel as ``a disgraced blot on the face of the Islamic
world,'' and declared that ``anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in
the fire of the Islamic nations' fury.''
These comments are unacceptable and raise concerns about Iran's
intentions. Does Iran want to be a partner in this world or an outlaw
regime that is a pariah among nations?
It is also troubling that this was not just the sentiment of the
President, but the Iranian Foreign Minister reiterated the President's
remarks stating, ``The comments expressed by the President are the
declared and specific policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We don't
recognize the Zionist regime and don't consider it legitimate.''
Mr. Speaker, as one of our closest allies, Israel has constantly had
to defend itself from hostile neighbors supported by Iran. However, it
poses a new threat with nuclear ambitions not just in the Middle East,
but to the world, and that is why this statement is outrageous.
I think our country, by passing this resolution, needs to guarantee
our continued support for Israel, and I will insert the rest of my
statement in the Record at this point.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn in the strongest way the
statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad earlier this
week I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
resolution.
Earlier this week, President Ahmadinejad repeated the late Ayatollah
Khomeini's call, stating ``Israel must be wiped off the map,''
described Israel as ``a disgraceful blot on the face of the Islamic
world,'' and declared that ``anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in
the fire of the Islamic nation's fury.''
These comments are unacceptable and raise concerns about Iran's
intentions. Does Iran want to be a partner in this world or an outlaw
regime that is a pariah among nations. It is also troubling that this
was not just the sentiment of the President, but that Iranian Foreign
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki reiterated President Admadinejad's remarks
stating ``the comments expressed by the president are the declared and
specific policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We don't recognize the
Zionist regime and don't consider it legitimate.''
Mr. Speaker, as one of our closest allies, Israel has constantly had
to defend itself from hostile neighbors, however, Iran poses a new and
possible more serious threat with its nuclear ambitions.
When reading about these comments I learned that during a military
parade in Tehran just a month ago, ``Israel Should Be Wiped Off the
Map'' was the slogan draped on a Shahab-3 ballistic missile. Six of the
missiles were displayed in the parade; with a 1,250 mile range, these
missiles could reach Israel. Nuclear power is dangerous in reasonable
nations but must be controlled in outlaw countries. Iran has long been
a threat to Middle East peace and Israel, and President Ahmadinejad's
remarks underline Iran's hostile intent. We should treat Iran as an
outlaw government and not only a threat to Israel or our country but
the world.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support his resolution to
denounce the comments made by President Ahmadinejad and to guarantee
our support for Israel's security.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, three generations ago, Adolph Hitler threatened to kill
the Jews of Europe. When he made that statement, the gullible, the
pseudosophisticates, the appeasers thought that it was only oratory.
Earlier this year we commemorated the liberation of Auschwitz, where
a million of those whom Hitler promised to kill were, in fact,
destroyed in the gas chambers, in the nightmare of that concentration
camp.
We now have a similar statement from an equally deranged but serious
leader of a nation. He is calling for the destruction of another 6
million, this time Israelis.
The civilized world must understand that these are not oratorical
statements, but plans for action. We need to prevent Iran from ever
obtaining nuclear weapons, and we must do everything in our power to
have this insane, megalomaniacal regime replaced by a regime of
responsibility which would be part of the civilized world.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution.
I want to commend the authors of H. Res. 523, Henry Hyde, Chairman of
our International Relations Committee, Tom Lantos, the ranking member
of that committee, and a host of others, in their condemnation of the
words of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. On Wednesday, President
Ahmadinejad presented 4,000 of his country's youth with a diatribe
against the state of Israel entitled ``A World Without Zionism.'' As
the resolution pending before the House today states, Ahmadinejad
described Israel as ``a disgraceful blot on the face of the Islamic
world'' as well as a place that ``must be wiped off the map.'' As Islam
is a self-proclaimed religion of peaceful teachings, President
Ahmadinejad's words are anything but. His portrait of ``Islamic fury''
that wishes to ``burn Israel'' turns the entire civilized world against
him. What kind of leadership is that?
Unfortunately, Ahmadinejad's words are not the only ones of this kind
coming from the mouths of Iranian leaders. In 2001, the President of
Iran's Expediency Council, Ali Akbar Hasemi-Rafsanjani threatened
Israel with nuclear attack. These words are the latest in a string of
defiant moves against the international community by Iran. Its uranium
enrichment program openly disregards the warnings of the International
Atomic Energy Agency. And we are all well aware that Iran also has been
credited with harboring terrorists and relaxing border security with
Iraq to enable entry into that fledgling democracy. These attempts by
the government of Iran to destabilize Iraq are absolutely despicable
and cannot be tolerated if Iraq's democracy is to grow.
In addition to these destabilizing activities in Iraq, Iran has
openly supported the violent actions of terrorist groups of Hamas and
Hezbollah, both of whom have repeatedly called for the annihilation of
Israel and have repeatedly backed up that threat with suicide bombings
inside Israel. How can the United States' and our allies' attempts to
spread democracy and promote peace be effective when nations such as
Iran are protecting and bankrolling such groups?
This has been a landmark year for the Middle East and Persian Gulf,
especially in Iraq, Israel and in the Palestinian areas. We have seen
the extremely successful constitutional reforms and democratic
elections in Iraq, unwavering in the face of security risks. Israel and
the Palestinian Authority reached a milestone agreement regarding the
controversial Gaza strip settlements. In addition, Lebanon moved
forward in the democratic process by holding elections without
significant Syrian interference and Bahrain allowed women to vote for
the first time. If those successes are not indicative of worthy work by
all nations involved, then I don't know what is.
The state of Israel, as the only non-Islamic nation in its region,
has come under fire since its creation in 1947. However, it has
withstood verbal and physical attack and it will continue to do so with
the unwavering support of the United States. It is ironic, perhaps,
that this week, the House passed a resolution which congratulated
Ambassador Dan Gillerman of Israel as he was elected as a Vice
President of the United Nations General Assembly. This marks the first
time that Israel has been included in a U.N. regional grouping and the
first time an Israeli has served as a U.N. General Assembly Vice
President. While the international community continues to welcome
Israel's deeper involvement, Iran refuses not
[[Page H9379]]
only to recognize Israel's right to fully participate in U.N.
activities, it also refuses to recognize its right to exist.
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H. Res.
523, a resolution to condemn Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's
recent threats against Israel. We were all extremely disturbed to hear
that President Ahmadinejad called for ``wiping Israel off the map,'' an
incendiary and inexcusable attack against one of America's closest
allies and friends. This threat may prove more serious than any other,
as we all know that Iran insists on developing nuclear capabilities.
We have already seen harsh condemnations of this hateful speech
around the world, from British Prime Minister Tony Blair to European
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to U.N. Secretary General Kofi
Annan. Now it is our turn, as the elected Representatives of the
American people, to stand with our Israeli friends and against the
hatred that is all-too-often pointed in their direction.
I read a recent Associated Press report that thousands of Iranians
gathered in the streets today, some seen holding signs that said
``Death to Israel, Death to America.'' However unfortunate, the signs
serve as a reminder that America and Israel are closely connected, and
that we will always stand together for democracy and freedom, and
against hatred.
Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in
the House of Representatives to strongly condemn the evil words of the
President Mahmoud Ahmandinejad and to support H. Res. 523 condemning
this threat.
Iran has taken an unprecedented action in threatening to wipe off the
map another sovereign country, Israel.
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and is our staunch
ally and friend. Threats against Israel and her people are based in
anti-Semitism and must be utterly and completely condemned by all
countries in the world who want peace to reign over evil and terror. A
responsible member of the international community cannot make these
unprovoked and destructive threats against another member of the
international community.
At a time when Iran is flagrantly violating international bodies in
their calls for transparency and restraint in Iran's nuclear ambitions,
these comments are all the more concerning to the international
community. Further, Iran remains the world's leading state-sponsor of
terror and has praised and supported militant groups such as Islamic
Jihad who commit suicide bombing atrocities against Israel.
Mr. Speaker, Iran is not just a threat to Israel, but to the entire
peaceful world community. The United States must continue to lead in
efforts not only to keep a check on the danger presented by Iran to the
world, but also to help achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East. I
join my colleagues from both parties today in strongly condemning
Iran's threats against Israel and urge passage of this important
resolution.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, this morning I voted in favor of H. Res. 523, a
resolution condemning the hateful statements of Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadineja on October 26, 2005 against Israel.
Mr. Speaker, these statements are not only outrageous, but must be
denounced in the strongest possible terms.
Such inflammatory vitriol only contributes to destabilizing the
Middle East. That's why, Mr. Speaker, we must redouble our efforts for
the cause of peace in the region and work with all our international
partners, including multilateral institutions, to ensure that Iran does
not acquire nuclear weapons.
In supporting the Resolution and voting to condemn these statements
today, I do so knowing that the Resolution is not intended to provide
legal justification, nor may it be cited in support, for pre-emptive
military action against Iran.
Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in strong support of H.
Res. 523, a resolution condemning Iranian Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's
declaration that ``Israel must be wiped off the map.''
At a time when so many are working to foster peace and enhance
security in the Middle East, President Ahmadinejad's comments are not
only abhorrent, but also place that already very troubled region in
further jeopardy. His statement warrants a swift, unequivocal
condemnation from Congress as well as the United Nations and all
countries around the world that are concerned about troubling changes
in Iranian foreign policy under President Ahmadinejad.
Again, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important
resolution, and condemn the Iranian President's remarks in the
strongest possible terms.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 523,
which condemns the recent threats against Israel made by Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Iranian President recently delared
that ``Israel must be wiped off the map,'' described Israel as ``a
disgraceful blot [on] the face of the Islamic world,'' and declared
that ``[a]nybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the
Islamic nation's fury.''
I join my collagues in condemning these remarks and threats against
the state of Israel. Iran should repudiate these statements. The United
Nations Security Council should condemn these statements and censure
Iran for its statements and policies aimed at destroying Israel. These
despicable comments only serve to legitimize and fuel those that preach
hatred and anti-Semitism in the Middle East.
Earlier this year we marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation of
the Auschwitz concentration camps by Soviet Army troops, which served
as a reminder of the consequences of allowing anti-Semitism to
flourish. I have worked closely with my colleagues on the U.S. Helsinki
Commission and my fellow parliamentarians in the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe to take measures aimed at
eradicating the threat of anti-Semitism and hate throughout the world.
In 2004 the OSCE's Conference on Anti-Semitism produced the historic
Berlin Declaration which condemns ``without reserve all manifestations
of and attacks motivated by anti-Semitism,'' notes that anti-Semitism
has ``assumed new forms and expressions . . . which pose a threat to
democracy and the values of civilization,'' and ``declares
unambiguously that international developments or political issues,
including those in Israel or elsewhere in the Middle East, never
justify anti-Semitism.''
Iran has actively supported numerous terrorist groups over the years
and has attempted to undermine the peace process between the
Palestinians and Israelis. Iran has funded suicide bombers and militant
organizations that are seeking to kill and maim Israelis, including
civilians. Iran is still seeking weapons of mass destruction, and has
deceived the internatibnal community in the past about its intentions.
Next month the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, will meet on
this issue, and I would urge the IAEA to refer this matter to the U.N.
Security Council for the consideration of sanctions.
The House should also take up and pass legislation to strengthen the
Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA). I was pleased to support the five-year
extension of ILSA when it was considered by th House Ways and Means
Committee in 2001. H.R. 282, the Iran Freedom Support Act would repeal
the sunset of ILSA, close some loopholes in ILSA, provide assistance to
pro-democracy organizations in Iran, and require ILSA to remain in
effect until the President certifies to Congress that Iran has
permanently and verifiably dismantled its weapons of mass destruction
programs and has committed to combating such weapons' proliferation.
I am pleased that the European Union, Canada, and Russia have
condemned the remarks of the Irania President. I urge my colleagues to
support this resolution, and to work with our allies to promote
democracy in Iran, convince Iran to give up its pursuit of WMD, and
fight anti-Semitism wherever it arises.
Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I voted in favor H. Res. 523. President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's threats against Israel are appalling and
contemptible. I believe that all nations should strongly condemn these
remarks. However, I do not want my vote to be misconstrued as a vote in
support of a carte blanche measure to wage war against Iran, or any
other country. The language in this resolution calls on ``all civilized
nations to consider measures to deny Iran the means to carry out its
threats and to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.'' This
statement means just that, all nations should consider measures against
Iran, it does not authorize the use of force against Iran. I share the
world's concern about Iran acquiring weapons of mass destruction and it
is imperative that we continue to pursue diplomatic avenues. I do not
support, at this time, the use of military force and my vote in favor
of this resolution is and should not be interpreted as a vote
authorizing such action.
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues here in condemning
the statement reportedly made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
that ``Israel must be wiped off the map.'' I reject this statement and
any such statement by any government anywhere because I reject the
notion that the use or threat of violence is an appropriate way to
solve international disputes.
While rejecting comments by Iran that seem to advocate the use of
force, I must also strongly object to using Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's
statement as an excuse to escalate our own rhetoric and strengthen our
anti-Iranian and anti-Muslim policies. This condemnable statement is
nevertheless being conveniently used to expand our policy of remaking
the Middle East in our own image.
I do find it interesting to hear my colleagues condemning Iran's
implied threat of force while in the same breath calling for the use of
force
[[Page H9380]]
against Iran. Ironically, it is small step from repeatedly calling Iran
``our enemy'' with increasingly militaristic rhetoric to calling for
Iran to be ``wiped off the map.'' We should keep this in mind as we
condemn the rhetoric of others while repeating similar rhetoric
ourselves.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of this resolution condemning Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's
threats against Israel. Not in recent time have we heard such a
repugnant statement made by an international leader. And I stand here
today with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to declare that
the United States Congress will not sit idly by while Iran threatens
Israel with anti-Semitic, racist, and dangerous threats.
Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has sought to live in peace
with its neighbors. It has signed peace agreements with Egypt and
Jordan, and continues to seek a two-state solution with the
Palestinians.
On the contrary, Iran continues to seek instability in the Middle
East. For Iran's dictatorial regime, instability is power. Its actions
combined with its anti-Semitic and anti-Western statements seek to
accomplish nothing more than incite hate and violence in the region.
President Ahmadinejad's comments represent Iran's long-term goal of
violently destroying Israel. Most despicable about these statements is
that Iranian leaders make them ``in the name of Allah.'' They attempt
to manipulate the text of the Koran from its words of peace into
directives of extremism and intolerance, tainting the world's views of
the religion.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Iran are calling out for freedom from the
tyrannical regime which holds them hostage. While it is not the role of
the United States to free the people of Iran, it is certainly our job
to support them--and we will when they and their leaders choose
democracy over autocracy and instability. Until then, the United States
will never stand by when Iranian threats are levied at Israel or any
other democracy in the world. The world can always count on that.
Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support
of H. Res. 523, a resolution condemning the unprovoked and incendiary
statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
On October 26, 2005, President Ahmadinejad described Israel as a
``disgraceful blot'' that should be ``wiped off the map'', and declared
that those who recognize Israel ``will burn in the fire of the Islamic
nation's fury''.
While Mr. Ahmadinejad's dangerous rhetoric is reason enough for
alarm, it is even more frightening that Mr. Ahmadinejad and the Iranian
regime have demonstrated a willingness to follow through on these
statements.
In recent years, Iran has stepped up its efforts to initiate terror
against Israel by directly funding and providing safe haven, training
and weapons to Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad. And just hours after
his speech, Islamic Jihad, benefiting from this support, killed 5
Israeli citizens in a terrorist attack in Northern Israel.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ahmadinejad has blood on his hands and we must stand
strong against this menacing threat by passing this resolution.
Furthermore, I call on my colleagues to support the Iran Freedom
Support Act, which would tighten and codify sanctions against Iran, and
I urge the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to
thwart Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran's bellicose
words and aggressive behavior must be met by a strong, united reaction
by the United States and the international community.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on October 26, 2005, Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that ``Israel must be wiped off
the map.'' It is shocking and unbelievable that the leader of any
nation would call for the complete destruction of another.
These types of threats cannot stand unanswered. I join my colleagues
today in condemning the president of Iran's remarks in the strongest of
terms.
While the peace process has been moving along in the Middle East
without much participation from the Bush administration, Iran continues
to pursue nuclear armament with little interest shown by the president,
and the United States remains bogged down in Iraq.
I hope these unconscionable statements will cause the Bush
administration to renew its commitment to our allies in the region.
Let us make no mistake, such statements present a serious threat to
the world. Iran's leaders are pursuing nuclear armament, and continue
to call for the destruction of the state of Israel, one of the United
States most important allies.
The statements made by President Ahmadinejad are not just a threat
against the people of Israel, but they are a threat to the peace and
stability of the entire world.
These words of hate must not go unanswered or unchallenged. The
United States and the United Nations must stand firmly against such
threats.
Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
this resolution and join my colleagues in condemning the vile statement
made this week by Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, when he called
for Israel to be ``wiped off the map.'' Such words are not empty
rhetoric but poison aimed at inspiring hate, violence and terrorism.
The fact that these words were spoken before an audience of 4,000
students is a dark and ominous demonstration of the current Iranian
president's pathological leadership.
Israel is a sovereign democracy in which free people deserve the
right to live in peace and without fear of terror or threats. While
this dangerous man speaks venom, the people of Iran must be reminded
that the people of the U.S. and the entire Congress stand in strong
support of Israel. As Israel exists today, so will it exist one hundred
years from now, and I hope, a thousand years from now, as a strong and
inseparable partner of the American people.
Iran's president is the voice of hatred and moral corruption. It is a
voice not to be ignored, but guarded against. The people of Iran are
not served by this voice and neither is the civilized world. President
Ahmadinejad must be placed on notice by all nations of the world and
all voices of civility and dignity--the people of Israel are our
brothers and sisters and such a threat is not only a threat against
Israel but against the entire world community. Collectively we seek
peace, but we also deserve security, the U.S., Israel and all nations
that reject these virulent sentiments.
Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for H. Res. 523 and
join my colleagues in condemning Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad's threats against Israel.
This week, during an anti-Zionist conference in Tehran, the Iranian
President called for Israel to be ``wiped off the map'' and led group
chants of ``death to Israel.'' Standing beside Sheikh Nasrallah, leader
of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization, he called for
violence against Israel and all states that recognize her existence.
Leaders around the world responded with forceful condemnation. At the
U.N., Secretary General Annan acted swiftly to reject Iran's unprovoked
hostility.
Now, it is time for the U.N. to stand up as an institution and rebuke
Iran for its actions. It is time for the U.N., which has a long history
of unfair treatment of Israel, to speak out loudly and clearly in
support of its existence.
Iran's threats against Israel violate the fundamental U.N. Charter
principle of sovereign equality for all member states. The danger of
its rhetoric is only underscored by its open support for terrorist
groups that attack Israel, and its determination to develop nuclear
weapons and obtain long-range missiles capable of striking Israel.
This alarming incident demonstrates that the international community
must redouble its efforts to shut down Iran's nuclear program before
the regime has the capability to try and carry out its evil designs.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman from
California for his superb support for this important resolution, as
well as the other Members who spoke.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). All time for debate has expired.
Pursuant to the order of the House today, the resolution is
considered read and the previous question is ordered on the resolution
and on the preamble.
The question is on the resolution.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
____________________