[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1935-S1936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAN

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I want to move on to what I intended to 
talk about today, and that is Iran.
  I will not speak that long.
  I think it is important to respond to the outrageous comments made by 
the Government of Iran this week and this latest stunt by the despotic 
Iranian regime that said: The United States may have the power to cause 
harm and pain, but it is also susceptible to harm and pain. If the 
United States wishes to choose that path, let the ball roll.
  First, there is a method to this madness. There is a method to this, 
with what this regime needs and is seeking to do. It needs crisis. It 
needs to raise the level of tension to justify its own increased 
militarization in the harsh security measures at home. That is what it 
is intending to do.
  On the other hand, we have to take them at their threat, at their 
word. If they are threatening the United States, take them at their 
word. Hitler told us in ``Mien Kampf'' what he was going to do. We did 
not listen, and there was a terrible price to be paid.
  The Iranian mullahs and the President are telling us they intend to 
destroy Israel. They are very clear that they are on a path to obtain 
nuclear weapons. We know it. Let's take them at their word. Let's say: 
Yes, this is what you want to do, we know it, and we will not let you 
do it.
  When the President of Iran issued the first threat about the 
destruction of Israel, behind him was a huge banner, with good 
graphics. It was a big hourglass. The hourglass ball is dropping. That 
glass ball, which is very fragile, is Israel, about to be destroyed. 
But if

[[Page S1936]]

you look very closely on the floor, already destroyed is the USA. That 
is their intention, what they intend to do. We have to understand we 
take them at their word, and we have to make sure they do not have the 
opportunity to develop a nuclear weapon. It is time for the 
international community to act stronger than it has acted, maybe call 
their bluff. Strong words from the Iranians require a strong response 
from the Security Council. Iran has threatened the United States with 
harm because we are looking to hold them accountable for their actions 
or to endorse their international commitments.
  In light of this situation, no sound-minded diplomat can claim the 
purpose of the Iranian program is benign or that it can be trusted to 
uphold any part of a compromise agreement. They do not want agreement. 
We talk about continuing the discussions with the Russian plan they 
laid out. We have to presume that the other side really wants an end to 
the crisis, but there is no rational basis to presume they want an end 
to the crisis. They want the crisis. They want to push it forward. They 
want to engage in dialog as they continue their efforts to obtain 
nuclear materials. So there is no incentive for us to engage in the 
negotiation.
  If you look at proposals--some unacceptable, to flatout dangerous--
all require enormous concessions to the Iranians to get their buy-in. 
Again, we have to say, does the other side want an end to the crisis? 
Do they want to do a deal? The answer is ``no.''
  The Iranians already rejected a Russian proposal to jointly enrich 
uranium on Russian soil. There has also been talk of a deal where Iran 
will be allowed to conduct small-scale research enrichment in exchange 
for postponing industrial-scale research. This is ludicrous to be 
talking about.
  Our friends on the Security Council must recognize compromise with 
Iran is not an end to itself but only used when it is seeking to reach 
an objective, to prevent them from producing nuclear weapons. Any deal 
that allows Iran to retain uranium does not serve this objective.
  This week, the IAEA must refer--and I use the word ``refer''--Iran to 
the Security Council with a strongly worded IAEA resolution that will 
lead to robust Security Council action, not to rest on what was a weak 
IAEA resolution passed last month which reported Iran to the Council. 
Under the chart of the U.N., the Security Council is granted 
jurisdiction over ``threats to international peace and security.'' 
There is no more evident, obvious threat to international peace and 
security than the attempt of Iran to obtain nuclear materials and to 
develop a nuclear weapon.
  The Security Council action was absolutely necessary in dealing with 
Iran. I am aware that several of our partners on the Council--namely, 
Russia and China--have yet to come to understand the urgency of the 
crisis we face with Iranian's nuclear program. For this reason, I 
support the administration's efforts to build a coalition of allies who 
are willing to impose meaningful sanctions on Iran, should certain 
members of the Security Council fail to act responsibly by withholding 
support for sanctions. Action needs to be taken immediately. Sanctions 
need to be taken immediately. The international community cannot be 
constrained from action against imminent threat to peace and security 
by a few self-interested actors. We cannot be cowed and bowed by the 
threats of the Iranians.
  We must move forward. This is a threat to peace and security of the 
entire world. We have to act now.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey is recognized.

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