DATE=6/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-234424
TITLE=CONGRESS / CLINTON IRAN (L)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS VETOED LEGISLATION IMPOSING
SANCTIONS ON FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT AID IRAN'S MISSILE PROGRAM.
THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE BILL WOULD PLACE "INFLEXIBLE AND
INDISCRIMINATE" LIMITATIONS ON HIS POLICY-MAKING, AT A TIME WHEN
HE HAS EXPRESSED HOPE FOR A RECONCILIATION WITH IRAN. BUT MANY
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SAY THE SANCTIONS ARE NEEDED NOW. AND AS
V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL SAY THEY
HAVE THE VOTES TO OVERRIDE THE VETO, AND PUT THE SANCTIONS LAW
INTO EFFECT.
TEXT: CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT HOWARD BERMAN SAYS THE VETO IS A BIG
MISTAKE.
/// FIRST BERMAN ACT ///
THIS BILL SHOULD BECOME LAW BECAUSE WE NEED TO DO EVERY
SINGLE THING WE CAN DO TO FOIL IRAN IN ITS QUEST TO
DEVELOP MISSILES CAPABLE OF DELIVERING NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL
AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.
/// END ACT ///
MR. BERMAN NORMALLY STANDS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE. NOT THIS TIME.
/// SECOND BERMAN ACT ///
WITHOUT COMPELLING EVIDENCE THAT THE FLOW OF MISSILE
TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN STOPPED WITHOUT THIS BILL, THE
PRESIDENT'S VETO SHOULD BE OVER-RIDDEN.
/// END ACT ///
MR. BERMAN IS NOT ALONE. THE BILL CLEARED THE SENATE AND HOUSE
WITH STRONG SUPPORT FROM MEMBERS OF BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES, AND
SEVERAL PROMINENT DEMOCRATS SAY THEY WILL FIGHT TO OVERRIDE THE
VETO. AMONG THEM IS ROBERT MENENDEZ OF NEW JERSEY. HE SAYS
WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM IRAN'S NEW
PRESIDENT, THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF REASON FOR CONCERN.
/// MENENDEZ ACT ///
(OPT)...AND THIS WEEKEND WHILE THE AMERICAN AND IRANIAN
SOCCER TEAMS BATTLED FOR VICTORY IN FRANCE, THE IRANIAN
PARLIAMENT OUSTED ONE OF PRESIDENT KHATAMI'S CLOSEST
ALLIES, THE INTERIOR MINISTER, FOR HIS REFORM-MINDED
VIEWS. (END OPT) SO EVEN IF KHATAMI IS THE FUTURE, HE
DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT THIS
POINT IN TIME. HE IS NOT THE MAN IN CONTROL OF HIS
COUNTRY OR ITS EFFORT TO ACQUIRE MISSILE TECHNOLOGY.
/// END ACT ///
THE BILL DOES NOT SANCTION COUNTRIES. IT TARGETS COMPANIES AND
INDIVIDUALS INSTEAD -- THREATENING THEM WITH A LOSS OF U-S
BUSINESS TIES. CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT JANE HARMON PREDICTS THESE
NEW SANCTIONS WILL HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON FOREIGN FIRMS THAT
HAVE LUCRATIVE CONTRACTS WITH THE UNITED STATES.
/// HARMON ACT ///
OF COURSE THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT ARGUES -- JUST TO TAKE
THE CASE OF RUSSIA -- THAT THE ONLY REASON THEY ARE
EXPORTING TO IRAN IS TO MAKE MONEY. SO WE ARE TELLING
THEM, "HEY FELLAS! YOU WANT TO MAKE MONEY. ... YOU ARE
PUTTING THAT AT RISK BY ENGAGING IN THIS ACTIVITY THAT
YOU ARE ENGAGED IN, WHICH IS DESTABILIZING TO THE ENTIRE
WORLD.
/// END ACT ///
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ARGUED THE SANCTIONS BILL WOULD HARM
RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, AND IT WOULD BE MUCH BETTER TO DEAL WITH
THE PROBLEM THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/TMD/WTW
24-Jun-98 12:15 AM EDT (0415 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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