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Meanwhile in Iran: House says stop nuke program at all costs

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, May 10, 2004

The House of Representatives has called on the United States and the rest of the international community to stop Iran's nuclear weapons programs by any means.

The nonbinding House resolution, passed 376-3, was said to have endorsed the Bush administration's doctrine of preventive war in the case of Iran's nuclear weapons. The resolution called on the United States and other members of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to "use all appropriate means to deter, dissuade and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."

The House resolution called on Europe, Japan and Russia to sever commercial and energy ties with Iran, Middle East Newsline reported. House members said the resolution was meant to pave the way for a more aggressive U.S. stance toward Iran's secret development of nuclear weapons.

They said this could include additional sanctions on nuclear suppliers to Iran as well as military options.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, an Ohio Democrat, said similar wording was used by the Bush administration to justify its decision to launch war against the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. Kucinich voted against the resolution.

The resolution passed on May 6 referred to Iran's long-secret Natanz uranium enrichment facility. The House said Natanz could produce enough highly enriched uranium for between 25 to 40 nuclear weapons a year.

"It has engaged in a systematic campaign of deception and manipulation to hide its true intentions and keep its large scale nuclear efforts a secret," Rep. Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican, said.

The resolution said Iran was continuing "deceptions and falsehoods" in concealing its nuclear weapons program.

"It is abundantly clear that Iran remains committed to a nuclear weapons program," the resolution said.


Copyright © 2004 East West Services, Inc.

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