DATE=2/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SENATE-IRAN (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259460
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// EDS: VOTE ON BILL SET FOR THURSDAY BUT COULD BE
MOVED UP; FRESH CR WILL MOVE WHEN VOTE OCCURS ///
INTRO: The U-S Senate is again taking up the issue of
missile technology transfers to Iran from Russia and
elsewhere. A proposal designed to stop the transfers
could affect the international space station. V-O-A's
David Swan reports from Capitol Hill.
TEXT: Despite the elections that put reformers in
control of Iran's parliament, Congress is far from
ready to ease pressure on the Tehran government.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott says the recent
voting will have no immediate impact on what he calls
an alarming potential threat from Iranian missiles.
/// LOTT ACT ///
Iran's leaders, now and in the future, would be
in the possession of nuclear-tipped ICBMs,
capable of reaching Washington or Los Angeles or
New York. America's security and that of our
friends and allies in the region would be
unalterably affected by such a horrific
development. Yet that day of reckoning is
coming, and much sooner than we prefer, unless
something is done.
/// END ACT ///
U-S intelligence agencies do not believe Iran has
nuclear warheads. But officials have voiced concern
about the country's nuclear and missile programs --
and the support they receive from other states.
The Senate bill would hit hardest at Russia, where
companies, labs and other entities are believed to be
funneling technology to Iran. The measure would stop
certain payments to the Russian space agency for work
on the space station unless the agency cooperates in
halting the traffic. Democratic Senator Joseph
Lieberman says Moscow has so far done little.
/// LIEBERMAN ACT ///
We are serious about this, that the time for
hit-and-miss, slower progress, bob-and-weave
progress in shutting off Russian assistance to
Iran for the development of these dangerous
programs is over.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Lieberman adds, the Clinton administration is not
threatening a veto as it did when the House of
Representatives approved a similar bill last
September. If the Senate measure passes this week as
expected, the two bills must be reconciled before a
final version goes to the White House. (Signed)
NEB/DS/TVM/gm/me
22-Feb-2000 18:01 PM EDT (22-Feb-2000 2301 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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