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The U.S.
House of Representatives may soon consider H. Con. Res. 362, a non-binding
but provocative resolution that would increase the hostile rhetoric and
threat of confrontation between Iran and the United States. This
resolution takes on greater significance given the recent missile testing
by Iran and military exercises by Israel as well as the continued debate
within the Bush Administration about a possible offensive against Iran.
Now is the time for Congress to be encouraging the Administration to
pursue peace in the Middle East, including direct and sustained diplomacy
to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions and their support for Hezbollah and
Hamas.
Instead,
H. Con Res. 362 escalates tensions by endorsing
harsh sanctions and threatening measures, including
stringent
inspection requirements on all goods and persons entering or exiting Iran,
which could be construed as a blockade and thus an act of war.
First
introduced on May 22nd by Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Mike
Pence (R-IN), the resolution now has over 200 co-sponsors, and is
continuing to gain traction. However, there is also new momentum from a
number of Members, including some of the original sponsors, to amend or
block the resolution altogether.
In past
letters to the
Administration, CMEP has expressed deep concern about the prospect of Iran
gaining a nuclear weapon and deplored the anti-Israel statements of
Iranian President Ahmadinejad, while also opposing any pre-emptive U.S.
military action against Iran.
It is
important that your Representative hear from you now in support of robust
diplomacy toward Iran, together with progress on the Israeli-Arab front. CMEP agrees with the Iraq Study Group’s
finding that, “all
key issues in the Middle East—the Arab-Israeli conflict, Iraq, Iran, the
need for political and economic reforms, and extremism and terrorism—are
inextricably linked.”
Background Reading:
Text of H.
Con. Res. 362
A Smarter
Approach to Iran, Middle East Progress Bulletin, July 10, 2008
Iran Resolution Must Change, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL),
Huffington Post, July 9, 2008
Statement on H. Con. Res. 362, Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD),
June 26, 2008
Iran resolution needs full airing, Newsday (editorial), June
27, 2008
TAKE ACTION!
Contact
your Representative by email and phone. Use this
email form or
contact the foreign policy legislative assistant directly (use the below
points and add your own to personalize your message). Call the Capitol
Switchboard (202-224-3121) to connect to your Rep.’s office. Click here
for a list of
current co-sponsors.
Your Message: Oppose Passage of H. Con. Res 362: Support Robust Diplomacy
with Iran and Across the Middle East!
As an
American Christian, I am deeply concerned about the possible development
by Iran of nuclear weapons and their support for Hamas and Hezbollah.
However, I strongly believe the Administration should be encouraged to
engage in direct and sustained diplomacy with Iran,
together
with international partners,
to resolve the current impasse.
However,
H Con. Res. 362 represents a confrontational “all stick and no carrot”
approach to U.S. relations with Iran that undermines international
diplomatic efforts and escalates tensions. Stringent inspection
requirements on all goods and persons entering or exiting Iran could be
construed by Iran and much of the international community as a blockade
and thus an act of war.
A
constructive U.S. policy on Iran combined with substantive progress toward
a comprehensive Israeli-Arab agreement would provide a realistic path
toward regional peace and security.
Background Points:
Harsh
Threats and Sanctions Create a Dangerous Climate That Escalates Tensions
H. Con.
Res. 362 sends a dangerously mixed message by stating that it should not
be construed as authorizing force against Iran while endorsing harsh
sanctions and threatening measures, including “stringent
inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains,
and cargo entering or departing Iran”,
that many
view as requiring a land, air or sea blockade, which could only be carried
out through the use of force. Even if a blockade was not the intent of H.
Con. Res. 362, the passage of the resolution would send a provocative
message to Iran and the world. The resolution also prohibits the travel
of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension
of Iran's nuclear program, which would severely limit diplomatic
engagement.
While the
prospect of a future nuclear-armed Iran is unnaceptable, it is not yet
a reality and harsh threats and sanctions will strengthen hardliners and
escalate tensions.
Turn
Confrontation into Cooperation: Engagement with Iran Necessary for
Israeli-Arab Peace
The
possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran is a grave threat to Israel and Iran’s
support for Hezbollah and Hamas’s militant activities is a destabilizing
factor that hampers progress on the peace process. Confrontation with
Iran would be likely to spark a dangerous regional crisis, but
constructive engagement could have serious strategic benefits.
Furthermore, progress on peace between Israel and its neighbors can help
reduce tensions elsewhere in the region. With agreements recently
negotiated successfully between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, between Israel
and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and with talks ongoing between Israel and Syria,
diplomatic progress is clearly possible. U.S. Congressional and Executive
branch time, energy and resources should be focused on comprehensive
diplomacy across the Middle East, and Congress should reject the
provocative approach of H. Con. Res 362.
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