Two Jewish members of Congress are speaking out strongly against Iran. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.), an early supporter of President Obama in the 2008 campaign, says Iranian missile tests the last two days and the disclosure of Iran’s secret nuclear enrichment site, show the need for stronger sanctions on Iran.
"While I support direct American engagement with Iran, as part of the P5+1, it is clear that Iranian leaders, who have for decades lied and obfuscated efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency to fully determine the scope and nature of its nuclear program, are unwilling to cooperate with the international community, further destabilizing the Middle East, the Caspian region, and threatening America’s allies," said Wexler. "It is time for the P5+1, especially Russia and China, which oppose Iran developing nuclear weapons, to support steps to strengthen and expand sanctions on Iran. I applaud the Obama Administration for laying the groundwork, along with European allies, for debilitating sanctions on Tehran should the Iranian government fail to meet American and international demands.”
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has similar thoughts on Friday after the revelation of Iran’s secret site. "I will be among those watching closely on October 1 when Iran meets with the U.S. and international community to discuss its nuclear program. If Iran continues its belligerence and fails to demonstrate honest, significant action, we must respond with meaningful sanctions," said Cardin in a statement.
Their full statements are after the jump:[[READMORE]]
First, Wexler:
Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) strongly condemned the Iranian government’s provocative and aggressive long-range missile tests that took place earlier today and urged the P5+1, which includes the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China and Germany, to strengthen sanctions on Iran. These latest missile tests come on the heels of recent short-range Iranian missile tests and last week’s disclosure of a second, undeclared uranium enrichment plant near the Iranian city of Qum. On Thursday, the United States, as part of the P5+1, will meet directly with Iranian officials in Geneva.
“I strongly condemn the Iranian government’s provocative missile tests, its failure to disclose a second enrichment plant, and its continued and deliberate failure to live up to its international obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. These belligerent missile tests and the disclosure of another secret nuclear site are just the latest examples of Iranian intransigence and highlight the importance of thwarting Iran’s nuclear ambitions and strengthening economic sanctions.
While I support direct American engagement with Iran, as part of the P5+1, it is clear that Iranian leaders, who have for decades lied and obfuscated efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency to fully determine the scope and nature of its nuclear program, are unwilling to cooperate with the international community, further destabilizing the Middle East, the Caspian region, and threatening America’s allies. It is time for the P5+1, especially Russia and China, which oppose Iran developing nuclear weapons, to support steps to strengthen and expand sanctions on Iran. I applaud the Obama Administration for laying the groundwork, along with European allies, for debilitating sanctions on Tehran should the Iranian government fail to meet American and international demands."
And Cardin:
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement in response to the public announcement this morning by President Obama, British Prime Minister Brown and French President Sarkozy that Iran has been building a covert uranium enrichment facility near Qom for several years.
“The revelations that Iran has been hiding a nuclear facility from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the world community should be a wake-up call to all those who have previously allowed themselves to ignore Iran’s deception and irresponsible behavior. Iran’s failure to disclose this facility, until the U.S. and European leaders shined a global spotlight on its existence, reinforces long-held American suspicions that Iran’s nuclear intentions are anything but benign.
“I join President Obama in calling for Iran to immediately and fully cooperate with IAEA investigation of this facility. I also whole-heartedly agree with Prime Minister Brown, who noted that the international community has no choice but to draw a line in the sand for Iran. I will be among those watching closely on October 1 when Iran meets with the U.S. and international community to discuss its nuclear program. If Iran continues its belligerence and fails to demonstrate honest, significant action, we must respond with meaningful sanctions.”
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