FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 1998
SEN. SHELBY COMMENTS ON ALLEGATIONS THAT IRAN TESTED MISSILE
WASHINGTON, D. C. --- The following are comments from U. S. Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.), Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, regarding news reports that say Iran tested a missile capable of reaching Israel, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey.
Sen. Shelby said, "If true, these reports underscore our continued proliferation problems. Nations such as China, Russia and North Korea, whom I believe have continued to sell and transfer ballistic missile technology, are creating an increasingly unsafe world. If Iran has successfully developed and tested a weapon with a range of at least 800 miles, what is to stop them from developing the means to deliver such a weapon upon the United States or any of our allies?
My concern goes well beyond these news reports. Despite evidence that supports the growing danger to the United States and our allies, we still do not have the means in place to defend against such an attack. Just last week, the Rumsfeld Commission released a report that said the Intelligence Community's ability to provide timely warning of emerging missile threats is eroding. The time for the United States to develop and deploy a national missile defense system is now. I simply cannot believe that the Clinton Administration refuses to acknowledge the need that has existed for some time, and most certainly exists now. We must not wait until our enemies have the means to launch a devastating attack to address this problem."
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