U.S. Representative Trent Franks, AZ-2nd District
 
Iran's global nuclear threat
Posted:  September 27, 2005
 
By Rep. Trent Franks
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
 

While the European Union decided last week to back off from demands to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council immediately, it is time for the United States to clearly – and firmly – state its position on Iran. Hanging in the balance are the safety and security of Western nations worldwide.

Iran's clandestine nuclear weapons program has been in the works for nearly two decades. As a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran's radical regime has pursued a hidden nuclear program in flagrant violation of both its commitments and obligations. Their actions over the past 18 years are clearly directed toward building a nuclear weapons capability.

They have an existing pilot uranium-enrichment facility and are currently completing another facility capable of producing enough highly enriched uranium to produce as many as 40 nuclear weapons per year. Iran's radical regime has experimented with separating plutonium and is building a heavy-water nuclear reactor. It has even now been reported that Iran has experimented with polonium, a radioactive isotope with only one principal use: to trigger a nuclear explosion.

Amidst these revelations, Iran's claim that its nuclear program is intended for the peaceful purpose of electricity production is not credible. Iran owns the world's second largest proven reserves of natural gas, along with huge crude oil reserves. It is neither cost-effective nor expedient for Iran to develop these nuclear capabilities for its energy needs.

Iran attempts to allay international concerns by pledging that its capricious nuclear program will be subject to inspection by the historically ineffective International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA.. Yet this assurance is completely unassuring when examining Iran's 18 years of unremitting deception. This radical regime has forfeited its credibility. Should the IAEA fail to refer Iran to the Security Council for its flagrant violations, the watchdog agency will have again proven its irrelevance.

Iran's clerical leadership further calls upon Western countries to trust their intentions – but how could we possibly do that? Iran's newly elected president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, pledged that he will continue to support and reinforce the radical terrorist group Hezbollah's struggle against the "enemies of Islam." Moreover, he announced just last week that his country is prepared to provide nuclear technology to other Islamic nations. President Ahmadinejad has made known that his ambition is to spread his government's Islamist ideology to the world.

We must not allow these defiant threats to pass by unnoticed. Ignoring this radical Islamist regime's deeds and words will lead to a disastrous situation with catastrophic consequences worldwide. The severity of the current state of affairs can not be overstated.

It also goes unnoticed that it is the overwhelming majority of the Iranian people in opposition to the regime that are suffering the most at its hands. It seems all too possible that Iran wishes to develop nuclear capability to stifle the international support for an Iranian popular revolt.

Regardless of what the hapless IAEA eventually determines, the people of Iran should know that they have this nation's unequivocal support to take the stand for which they have yearned for so many years. This support should be stated openly, clearly and repeatedly to legitimize the right of freedom-loving people of Iran to establish their own government – by the people and for the people. On that day we should all look forward to, the world will owe the good people of Iran an immeasurable debt of gratitude for ending this diabolical threat to Western civilization and for returning Iran to her honored place among peaceful nations.

Rep. Trent Franks, a Republican, represents the 2nd District of Arizona in the U.S. Congress. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and vice chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee.

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