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(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Rep. Mike Ross (AR-04) Wednesday signed
onto a letter commending the United Nations Secretary General H.E. Kofi
Annan for his response in reference to Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s
recent comments that Israel should be, ‘wiped off the map,’ but encouraged
a more unified response from the United Nations as an institution.
The Iran President also threatened to use violence not only against Israel,
but also against those throughout the international community who support
a two-state solution and a peaceful end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Iran, in violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
is currently attempting to secure long-range missiles and develop nuclear
weapons.
The United Nations Charter explicitly states that all United Nations
members, including Israel, are autonomous nations among equals. The
United Nations has the authority to take appropriate recourse anytime the
safety of a United Nations member is in jeopardy.
“President Ahmadinejad’s assertion that Israel should be ‘wiped off
the map,’ and subsequent threat to use violence against Israel and members
of the international community that support Israel is reprehensible,” said
Ross. “I join my colleagues in calling on the United Nations to swiftly
and appropriately use their authority to condemn Iran for their blatant
disrespect of international law. Violations of international law
and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons mandate that
the United Nations is resolute in their commitment to condemning atrocious
acts that put our world at risk for terrorist attacks.”
Recently, Ross voted in favor of H Res 523, which condemned President
Ahmadinejad’s threats against Israel. Additionally, Ross is a co-sponsor
of the Iran Freedom Support Act, legislation which would hold the current
regime in Iran accountable for its development of weapons of mass destruction
and supports a transition to democracy in Iran. |
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