[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ENDING WORLD BANK DISBURSEMENTS TO IRAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2007

  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, both the U.N. Security Council and the 
International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, found that Iran is in breach 
of its obligations under the U.N. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The 
IAEA reported that Iran ignored the Security Council's deadline to stop 
enriching uranium and expanded its nuclear program.
  As Iran's Atomic Energy Organization moves towards its announced goal 
of operating 50,000 uranium enrichment centrifuges in Natanz, the World 
Bank is funding nine government projects in Iran totaling $1.355 
billion--one of which operates in Isfahan, the headquarters of Iran's 
nuclear program.
  The United States remains as the top investor in the World Bank, 
contributing $950 million in 2006 and $940 million in 2007. The House 
of Representatives approved another $950 million contribution while the 
Senate approved more than $1 billion. Meanwhile, the bank disbursed 
$220 million to Iran in fiscal year 2007, with more than $870 million 
remaining in the pipeline for fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010.
  To date, the World Bank's board has taken no action to end these 
disbursements--which it could by demanding a policy review and then 
voting to stop credit transfers. Furthermore, the U.N. Security Council 
has given no explicit direction to the World Bank on this issue--which 
it could in its next resolution.
  Therefore, as the World Bank prepares for its annual meetings this 
week in Washington, I am introducing a bipartisan resolution today 
calling on the bank's board of directors to end disbursements to Iran 
until the IAEA certifies Iran's compliance with U.N. Security Council 
Resolutions and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Should the board 
fail to act, we call on the U.N. Security Council to order the bank to 
suspend these disbursements.
  As part of the United Nations family, the policies of the World Bank 
should be aligned with the policies of the U.N. Security Council. The 
United States and the World Bank should not subsidize Iran's economic 
development while its government enriches uranium in violation of U.N. 
Security Council resolutions.
  I want to thank my dear friends and colleagues, Congressman Steve 
Rothman and Congressman Rob Andrews, for joining me in introducing this 
bipartisan resolution.

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