[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17036]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                  IRAN

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, the international community's effort to 
press Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment has been virtually 
grounded as of late and there does not seem to be a way out. This 
deadlock is of great concern to me--particularly because of the threat 
Iran poses to our national security strategy but also because I do not 
trust this administration to make the right choices when it comes to 
our safety and security.
  As a known sponsor of international terrorism, and in light of 
President Ahmadinejad's belligerent statements calling for Israel to be 
``wiped off the map,'' we must redouble our efforts to ensure Iran is 
no longer allowed to violate international treaties, does not develop 
nuclear weapons, and does not become any more of a threat to our 
national security than it already is.
  History has taught us that we cannot ignore the stated intent of 
those who seek to destroy other nations. A nuclear Iran would be a 
grave threat to the region, to Israel, and to the entire international 
community but that does not mean we should act rashly or act alone. 
Indeed, recent history has also shown that we are at our strongest--and 
most secure--when we are part of a strong multilateral team.
  And yet, the Bush administration's saber-rattling flies in the face 
of any effort to legitimately build consensus for effective dealings 
with Iran. Our allies at the United Nations have worked with us in the 
past to support a resolution sanctioning Iran but they may not be 
willing to work with us again if these confrontations in the Persian 
Gulf become habitual occurrences. Such threats are stunningly 
counterproductive as they embolden Iranian hardliners to dig in their 
heels, undermine our multilateral commitments, and jeopardize our 
national security significantly.
  Iran's ability to sniff out and exploit fissures within the 
international community and use it to their advantage should not be 
underestimated. Knowing this, it is in the interest of our national 
security to ensure there is strong unanimity among our allies at the 
United Nations. Critical to this effort is cooperation from Russia and 
China. To ensure they are on board, this administration must prioritize 
robust diplomacy with these two countries to ensure they are on board 
and engaged. Without them, there can be no real headway.
  Just last month an International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, report 
said that Iran has not suspended its enrichment activities and we must 
take this claim very seriously. We must work with our allies to take 
concerted, decisive action to break this stalemate. The Security 
Council must speak with one voice and send a clear signal that 
continued defiance of the international community will not be 
tolerated.
  It is essential that all U.N. member states and the international 
community, more generally, continue to condemn the violent and defiant 
rhetoric of Iran's President. If his aggressive words go unchecked it 
could signal approval of the Iranian regime's determination to 
undermine its international obligations.
  This Congress can also take critical steps to stop or slow Iran's 
nuclear enrichment, but we will not be effective in doing so unless we 
acknowledge that the United States must be in lock-step with the 
international community if we are to overcome decades of mistrust and 
ongoing threats to our national security.

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