DATE=6/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233622
TITLE=CONGRESS - IRAN SANCTIONS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: LEGISLATION AIMED AT BLOCKING TRANSFERS OF MISSILE
TECHNOLOGY TO IRAN HAS CLEARED ITS FINAL HURDLE IN THE U-S
CONGRESS. THE BILL IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON ANY FOREIGN ENTITY THAT
HELPS THE IRANIAN MISSILE PROGRAM. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON
REPORTS, DESPITE A STRONG SHOW OF CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT, THE
MEASURE FACES A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.
TEXT: THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE LAST YEAR AND THE SENATE LAST
MONTH. SENATORS MADE A FEW CHANGES IN THE LEGISLATION, AND SO
THE HOUSE HAD TO TAKE ONE MORE VOTE --- APPROVING THE
MODIFICATIONS -- BEFORE THE MEASURE COULD BE SENT TO THE WHITE
HOUSE (389-20).
THE LEGISLATION WAS PROMPTED BY CONCERNS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFERS FROM RUSSIA TO IRAN. IT SANCTIONS INDIVIDUALS AND
BUSINESSES THAT PROVIDE IRAN WITH MISSILE RELATED TECHNOLOGY.
THE PUNISHMENT INCLUDES A BAN ON PARTICIPATION IN U-S AID
PROGRAMS, AND CERTAIN EXPORT/IMPORT RESTRICTIONS.
PENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICAN CURT WELDON SAYS AMERICA CANNOT STAND
IDLY BY WHILE OTHERS BREAK NON-PROLIFERATION AGREEMENTS, AND SHIP
DANGEROUS EXPORTS TO IRAN.
////WELDON ACT////
IF AMERICA HAS A COMPANY THAT VIOLATES OUR EXPORT LAWS
AND SENDS TECHNOLOGY OVERSEAS, I WANT TO PROSECUTE THAT
COMPANY! I WANT TO MAKE THEM PAY! WHAT IS WRONG WITH
OUR COUNTRY SAYING TO RUSSIA, IF YOU HAVE AN ENTITY
THAT IS PROLIFERATING TECHNOLOGY, THAT ENTITY MUST PAY!
////END ACT/////
BUT OPPONENTS OF THE LEGISLATION SAY RUSSIA HAS SHOWN A
WILLINGNESS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, AND IMPOSING SANCTIONS AT
THIS TIME WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. INDIANA DEMOCRAT LEE
HAMILTON SAYS THE BILL WILL LEAD TO LESS -- NOT MORE --
CO-OPERATION FROM MOSCOW.
////HAMILTON ACT////
RUSSIA'S LEADERS AGREE WITH US. THEY ARE WORKING WITH
US. THEY HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS BUT NOT ENOUGH
PROGRESS. THEY SAY THEY WANT TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS. IF
WE NOW TURN AROUND AND SANCTION THEM, WE PUT AT RISK ALL
THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN STOPPING MISSILE TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFERS.
////END ACT////
THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS OPPOSED THE BILL FROM THE START.
CONGRESS MADE ONE IMPORTANT CONCESSION TO THE WHITE HOUSE --
AGREEING TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ONLY ON TRANSFERS THAT OCCUR AFTER
JANUARY 22, 1998, THE DATE RUSSIA ADOPTED NEW EXPORT CONTROLS.
BUT THE PRESIDENT IS STILL THREATENING TO VETO THE LEGISLATION,
AND A MAJOR CLASH IS LIKELY WITH CONGRESS. THE FINAL VOTES IN
THE HOUSE AND SENATE WERE ALMOST UNANIMOUS -- A STRONG INDICATION
BACKERS OF THE BILL WILL BE ABLE TO MUSTER THE TWO-THIRDS
MAJORITY NEEDED TO OVERRIDE A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.(SIGNED)
NEB/PT
09-Jun-98 8:11 PM EDT (0011 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
