News from Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

May 23, 2002

Harman Leads Lawmakers In Calling On President To Prevent Missile And Nuclear Technology Transfers From Russia To Iran

-- “The possibility that Iran might soon succeed in gaining nuclear weapons is truly frightening.”--

WASHINGTON D.C. - Rep. Harman reiterated her call for President Bush to put the issue of missile and nuclear technology proliferation at the top of his agenda with President Putin during their summit meeting on Friday.

In a letter sent to the President by Harman and 34 bipartisan lawmakers on May 16th, they stated, “As you have pointed out, Iran is part of the group of rogue states who both support international terrorism and are themselves seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction. The possibility that Iran might soon succeed in gaining nuclear weapons is truly frightening. Unfortunately, Russian technology continues to contribute to Iran’s weapons of mass destruction programs.”

The letter continued, “We believe that the matter is of such urgency, the potential danger so great to our own security interests in the region, to our allies in the region, and, ultimately, to ourselves, that this issue should be at the top of your agenda with President Putin. Time is running out, and without a sustained and meaningful effort on the part of the Russian government to stop dangerous exports now, we will soon be faced with an altered and hugely more threatening security environment in an area vital to our own strategic interests.”

Harman personally handed the letter to White House National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on May 16th.

AIPAC’s (American Israel Political Action Committee) President Amy Friedkin and Executive Director Howard Kohr praised the lawmakers, saying, “Russian nuclear and missile proliferation to Iran is a serious threat to the United States and our allies. AIPAC applauds the leadership of these members of Congress, who have taken a decisive step to underscore the importance of this issue as the President prepares for his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.”

Harman was joined in signing the letter by 34 Representatives, including Curt Weldon, Duncan Hunter, Ike Skelton, Nancy Pelosi, and Ellen Tauscher. A similar letter circulated by Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) was signed by 25 Senators.

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Floor Statement on Missile Proliferation & Sanctions on Russian Entities (07.22.97)