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September 16, 2009
Exclusive: U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Criticizes U.S. Decision on Iran, North Korea, Honduras
Last weekend, in what is known as a “document dump” – releasing unfavorable information on a weekend when fewer Americans are paying attention to the news – the Obama administration announced that it will begin meeting one-on-one with Pyongyang to, er, persuade the Communist state to return to multilateral talks regarding dismantling its nuclear weapon program. An offer has also been accepted by Iran regarding talks on broad national security issues – but Iran’s nuclear ambitions are not to be a part of those discussions.
Change you can believe in? Americans worried about the good opinion of the leaders of these nations can breathe easier – but Americans worried about the security of their nation cannot.
Fortunately, not all American leaders are asleep at the wheel. U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has taken the step of denouncing the announcement that the U.S. is willing to engage in one-on-one dialogue with the Iranian and North Korean regimes.
Iran and North Korea are actively working against critical U.S. security interests and allies and endangering global peace and security. They are among the world’s worst human rights abusers. Yet, what is the U.S. response? Unconditional negotiations and unending offers of incentives.
On the other hand, the U.S. has shut out the constitutional democratic government of Honduras because they chose to preserve liberty, democracy, and the rule of law rather than succumb to Zelaya’s tyrannical ambitions and ALBA-inspired destabilizing behavior.
While taking a hard-line against Honduran democratic institutions and their representatives, the U.S. has rolled out the red-carpet for Manuel Zelaya by welcoming him to Washington and ignoring the constitutional violations that required his removal from office.
Making unilateral overtures to the likes of Iran and North Korea, while simultaneously shunning the current democratic government of Honduras, sends a very troubling message that democracy and human rights are no longer at the forefront of the U.S. foreign policy agenda.
She also made a special address on the House floor to make the case for stronger sanctions against the Iranian regime:
The events of September 11th made us realize that innovative approaches would be needed to protect our homeland against the new threat posed by violent extremists. Yet, as the Iranian song-and-dance to obscure its nuclear program continues, it appears some have forgotten the lessons of 9/11.
Many believe that, because Iran has not yet mastered all of the elements needed for an operational nuclear weapon, we have the luxury of time.
But Iran has already produced over 1400 kilograms of low-enriched uranium, which can be easily used for a “dirty nuke.” How much more progress will Tehran make towards a full-fledged nuclear warhead before responsible nations will act?
“he U.S. and others appear to be operating in a fantasy. Next week, the U.S. will forego a golden opportunity to raise the Iranian issue at the UN, preferring instead to cling to tried-and-failed dialogue that will only provide the Iranian regime more time to enrich uranium and expand its ability to threaten the U.S. and our allies.
In the real world, we are running out of time. Crippling, comprehensive sanctions – not more talk – are needed now if we are to avoid a nuclear-armed Iran in the near future.
Will other legislators step up to the plate regarding this critical issue surrounding American – and world – security? We’ll be watching.
Brought to you by the editors and research staff of FamilySecurityMatters.org.
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