All right, who else got this snow job from Ben Nelson?

[acmavm]

From:
[e-mail] <[e-mail]>

June 2, 2006



Ms. acmavm
XXXX South XXth Street
Omaha, NE 681XX

Dear acmavm:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the ongoing situation in
Iran. I appreciate hearing from you on this complicated issue.

As you know, on April 11, 2006, Iranian officials announced they
had succeeded in enriching a small amount of uranium. The
United States and our European allies have been concerned about
Iran's nuclear program, which many fear is being developed for
military use. Our European allies are seeking to persuade the
government to stop some nuclear activities in exchange for
diplomatic and economic incentives. The U.S. is also working to
reduce any potential nuclear threat while finding the best way to
promote democratic practices. I have been deeply concerned about
the lack of democratic freedoms in Iran and the country's nuclear
energy program. I believe it is essential to stop the proliferation of
nuclear weapons technology. This is especially true in Iran, a
country which has flouted previous nuclear obligations and has not
maintained good relations with the United States.

Since 2003, according to the Congressional Research Service,
inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
have discovered almost two decades' worth of undeclared nuclear
activities, including uranium enrichment at Iranian nuclear
facilities. Great Britain, France, and Germany, with support from
the Bush Administration, have negotiated with Iran to try to reduce
this danger. They have sought several steps, mainly a suspension
of Iran's uranium enrichment, in exchange for trade and diplomatic
ties. The Iranians and Europeans signed an agreement on
October 21, 2003, in which Iran pledged to suspend enrichment,
detail its past nuclear activities to the IAEA, and ratify the
Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran's failure
to declare the programs and equipment uncovered by the IAEA,
however, violates the 2003 accord.

On November 14, 2004, Iran pledged to suspend uranium
enrichment indefinitely, pending a broad agreement with the
Europeans on nuclear, diplomatic, and economic matters. Then,
on May 25, 2005, the Europeans convinced Iran to extend this
suspension. They were "to present Iran with detailed, step-by-step
proposals by early August 2005 at the latest."
Negotiations, however, broke down last August. On
September 24, 2005, the IAEA declared Iran to have violated its
Non-Proliferation Treaty and, following Iran's resumption of
enrichment activities in January 2006, alerted the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC) on February 4, 2006. The UNSC, in
turn, issued a presidential statement calling upon Iran to
"reinstitute its voluntary suspension of enrichment and
reprocessing." Since that statement, the five permanent members
of the UNSC remain in negotiations regarding the most effective
solution to the situation in Iran.

I believe Iran's activities, at least for the foreseeable future, are
best addressed through negotiations and sanctions. These can
prevent Iran from acquiring and building nuclear materials while
illustrating the benefits of fostering peaceful relations with the
international community. There are currently a number of bills
pertaining to Iran in both chambers of Congress; many of them,
including S.Con.Res. 76, of which I am a co-sponsor, aim to
condemn Iran for violations of its obligations under the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty by calling for certain actions in response
to such violations.

In addition, I am pleased to co-sponsor the Iran Freedom and
Support Act of 2005 (S. 333), reaffirming a commitment to halt the
proliferation of nuclear weapons in Iran. The bill would keep
current sanctions on Iran in place until the President certified to
Congress "that Iran has permanently and verifiably dismantled its
weapons of mass destruction programs and has committed to
combating such weapons' proliferation." The bill would also
express the belief that U.S. policy should support allowing Iranians
to choose their form of government and to hold a referendum, and
would express the sense of Congress regarding several measures
related to democracy and nuclear activities in Iran. Finally, S. 333
would allow the President to support groups, in Iran or elsewhere,
which advocate democracy and nonproliferation in the country.
This legislation is currently before the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee.

I am also proud to say that the Senate-passed Fiscal Year 2006
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the
Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, H.R. 4939,
includes approximately $35 million for democracy programs and
activities for Iran. This bill is now in conference, the part of the
legislative process in which designated members (conferees) from
the Senate and the House of Representatives meet to reconcile the
differences between our respective versions of the bill. I am
hopeful this necessary funding for the people of Iran will remain in
the final version of the bill.

Finally, I have heard from many Nebraskans regarding H.Con.Res.
391, which expresses the "sense of Congress" that the President
should not initiate military action against Iran with respect to its
nuclear program without first obtaining authorization from
Congress. This resolution has currently been referred to the House
International Relations Committee. Should similar legislation
come before me in the Senate, I will keep your thoughts in mind.
In the meantime, however, I assure you that I will continue to
monitor Iran's activities closely. It is in everyone's interest to
prevent nuclear weapons technology from spreading, especially to
Iran.

Thank you again for contacting me with your comments. This
process of government will only work with the input of concerned
citizens, and I encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts
and ideas.

Sincerely,

Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator

[TheFarseer]

1. Sounds like he would support a war

but wouldn't lead the parade. Hasn't he learned anything from Iraq? In the end it was not the words of my enemies, but the silence of my friends. We expect better from a friend like Ben Nelson. Stand up for Nebraskans and all Americans and say no to this evil war, Senator Nelson.

[acmavm]

2. Nelson has NEVER stood up for the Democrats that elected him. He

makes a damn good republican lackey though.