Statement by Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

CONGRESSWOMAN HARMAN'S STATEMENT
REGARDING INTRODUCTION OF CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
REGARDING THE FAILURE OF IRAN TO ADHERE TO ITS OBLIGATIONS
UNDER A SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT WITH
THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

October 17, 2003

Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues Mark Kirk, Curt Weldon and Howard Berman in introducing today a resolution expressing Congress's deepening concerns about Iran's nuclear program.

For many years, I have been persuaded by the available evidence that Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapons program, starting with transfers of nuclear and missile technology and expertise from Russia. Indeed, it was my resolution in the 105th Congress (House Concurrent Resolution 121) that called on the President to demand that the Government of Russia take actions to stop governmental and nongovernmental entities in the Russian Federation from providing missile technology and technical advice to Iran in violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime.

Evidence continues to accumulate raising questions about Iran's intentions, notwithstanding that country's signing of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Recently, environmental sampling by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility revealed the presence of two types of highly enriched uranium that can be used to develop nuclear weapons. And, earlier in the year, IAEA announced that Iran was constructing a facility to enrich uranium.

These developments prompted the Director General of the IAEA to express concern over the failure of the government of Iran to report material, facilities and activities at its nuclear facilities, including those that have the potential to enrich uranium and develop nuclear weapons. As a result, last month, the IAEA board of directors adopted a resolution calling on Iran to provide that organization, by October 31st, with a full declaration of all imported material and components relevant to the uranium enrichment program and to grant unrestricted access to IAEA inspectors.

Mr. Speaker, concerns about Iran's intentions are further underscored by Iran's successful test earlier this summer of the 800-mile range Shahab-3 missile and the persuasive evidence that is it seeking to produce a 1,200 mile Shahab-4 missile.

Coupled with Iran's known support for terrorist groups, it is clear to me and my colleagues that Iran poses a serious national security threat to the United States and its allies and other countries in the region. We can't idly wait for developments to unfold.

The concurrent resolution we introduce today clearly expresses Congress' view that the President must use all appropriate means to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It also calls on the members states of the United Nations, particularly Russia, to join together to dissuade Iran and, if necessary, to impose sanctions if Iran does not fulfill its obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency by October 31.

Failure to act can only encourage Iran to pursue a dangerous and destabilizing course. Iran must cease all efforts to acquire nuclear capabilities until it is able to verify that it is not continuing to engage in a nuclear weapons program.