Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, on May 21 I joined a Congressional panel
on U.S. policy options and prospects for change in Iran. The panel
discussed President Khatami's election and Iran's efforts to acquire
weapons of mass destruction. I am certain that my colleagues will join
me in recognizing the threat that Iran would pose to the U.S. and the
region if it is successful in acquiring nuclear weapons.
I have introduced legislation (H.R. 3743) to thwart Iran's
development of nuclear weapons. The Iran Nuclear Proliferation
Prevention Act of 1998 will require the withholding of U.S. proportional voluntary assistance to the International Atomic Energy Agency for programs and projects of the Agency in Iran. The bill seeks to limit assistance from the Agency for the completion of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran. It is believed that the completion of the Bushehr plant will result in the transfer of civilian nuclear technology and training that could help to advance Iran's nuclear weapons program.
Firmness is the only means of deterring Khatami and the clerical
regime from their quest for an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. We must make it clear, especially now when the mullahs may well be on their last legs, that we support the kind of progress towards democracy and genuine reform promised by the democratic opposition.
Mr. Speaker, I am submitting my remarks to the panel on this matter
to be printed in the Congressional Record:
I want to thank the National Council of Resistance of Iran
for organizing this event and for their ongoing efforts to
focus attention on the rogue regime that continues to reside
in Tehran under President Khatami.
Each of us here today, looks forward to the day when Iran
rejoins the community of democratic nations. However, today
is not that day. President Khatami, while slightly more
moderate than his predecessor will not or cannot overcome the
political forces in Iran which avidly pursue the development
of weapons of mass destruction and continue support for
terrorism.
We have heard many disturbing facts and figures, about
Iranian human rights violations, about chaos and conflict
within the country, and about Iran's support of international
terrorist organizations, such as Hizballah, Hamas and the
Palestine Islamic Jihad, all of which are responsible for
terrorist attacks on Israel. Each of these facts reflects the
ruling regime's status as a rogue state, which considers
itself above international law, with little respect for human
life, let alone human rights. The prospect of that regime
armed with nuclear weapons is not a pleasant one.
Just this week, Russia and Iran announced that over the
strong objections of the U.S. and Israel, that they would be
stepping up their cooperation in the field of nuclear
technology. In fact, Iran's Atomic Energy Minister made it
clear that the two countries are considering further
cooperation beyond their current project to build a nuclear
power plant in Iran.
To give you a little background, Iran has been seeking
nuclear power since the early 1970's, when the Shah attempted
to build two reactors in Bushehr. The project, begun by a
German company in 1974, was suspended following the 1979
Revolution. The clerical regime's efforts to obtain nuclear
capability began in earnest in the midst of the Iran-Iraq
War, in 1985, and in February of this year, Tehran announced
its intention to construct two Russian reactors in Bushehr.
The question remains, why has Iran devoted such colossal
resources, money and effort to build the Bushehr power plant. Iran claims to need the Bushehr nuclear reactors to supply energy to the country. Yet, Iran's immense oil and natural gas reserves call into question its motives for constructing expensive nuclear reactors. Iran has 9.3 percent of the world's oil reserves and natural gas reserves, second only to Russia. Clearly, Iran does not need additional energy sources, nor is nuclear energy an economic choice for Iran. So what is the motive?
It should not be a revelation to anyone that Iran is
seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
In 1991, Ayatollah Mohajerani, one of Rafsanjani's
deputies, clarified the need to obtain nuclear weapons.
"Since the enemy has nuclear facilities," he said, "Islamic countries must be armed with the same capacity."