Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich, The Ranking Member on the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging THreats and International Relations, gave the following speech during House debate HR 282, the Iran Freedom and Support Act:
I rise in opposition to HR 282, the Iran Freedom and Support Act, which sounds a lot like the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998. Overall, this bill seriously inhibits the ability of the U.S. government to use diplomacy, the strongest and most rational tool we have to resolve the situation regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Instead, this bill sets our country on a path to war with Iran. You can be sure that the government of Iran will also view it that way.
First, the bill makes it official US policy to impose international sanctions through the UN Security Council for Iran’s “repeated breaches” of its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. This sounds eerily familiar to actions pursued in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq, and which, as we now know, were ultimately for appearance only. Similarly, advocating international sanctions against Iran through the Security Council is for appearance only. This Administration has made up its mind that it wants to attack Iran. There is evidence that the US military is already inside Iran. (Seymour Hersh piece in New Yorker, April 17th; CNN’s interview with expert Ret. Lt. Col. Sam Gardiner, April 14th). Including this section in the bill is simply an attempt by Congress to cover the President’s back in the face of the international community with respect to Iran. Hasn’t this Congress learned yet that this Administration is not to be trusted?
Second, HR 282 also promotes regime change in Iran - as opposed to behavior change - as a solution to the standoff regarding Iran’s nuclear program. By advocating regime change, we indicate that our priority is not in fact to encourage Iran to adhere to its NPT obligations, but to remove the leadership in Iran even if the leadership were to make some concessions. This communicates to the world community that to the US, Iran has passed the point of no return, which completely undermines efforts toward diplomacy and negotiations. Furthermore, while this bill makes a point of not authorizing use of force in Iran, be assured that this is a stepping-stone to authorizing the use of force, which is exactly what the Iraq Liberation Act was.
Third, HR 282 supports anti-government advocates in Iran promoting regime change. This is highly problematic. While an important amendment offered by Congressman Blumenauer was adopted into this bill during markup, to prohibit U.S. assistance to groups that are on the State Department’s list of terrorist organizations, or have been on that list for the last 4 years, there are ways around this. For example, according to a Newsweek article from February 14, 2005, the US has been recruiting individuals from the MEK, a group currently labeled as “terrorist” by the State Department, who have agreed to form a new group with the same mission of the MEK: regime change in Iran. These individuals have been conducting military activity in Iran with the United States’ support. I just want to remind everyone that the MEK was the group responsible for the U.S. Embassy takeover in Tehran in 1979. The MEK also had a camp in Iraq where Osama bin Laden’s first fighters were reportedly trained. The MEK also trained and supported Taliban fighters. Now we’re recruiting help from members of the MEK, which makes a total mockery of this so-called “War on Terror.”
Fourth, HR 282 states that it is US policy to focus attention to stopping cooperation between Iran and Russia, China, and Pakistan. Considering that Russia and China have the strongest leverage with Iran, yet are also opposed to Iran’s violations of its NPT obligations, the US should try to work with Russia and China to find a joint path of diplomacy - not isolate Russia and China. In the end, we are only isolating ourselves and setting our country on another unilateral path of war.
Our troops already overextended and in a vulnerable position next door in Iraq. Starting a war in Iran is the last thing we should be doing. I urge you to vote against this dangerous bill, which is nothing more than a stepping-stone to war.
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=42687Unfortunately this passed 397-21 with many of our progressive democrats voting FOR it for strange yet to be explained reasons. No wonder they are even trying to impeach Bush, they are still playing along with his wars of agression for PNAC.
I'm with Neil Young "Let's impeach the president for Lying" and stop this ridiculous NOW!
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