Ehrlich on Washington column, January 18, 1997

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 Week of January 18, 1998 U. S. MUST JUDGE IRAN, IRAQ BY ACTIONS, NOT WORDS Two of the world’s most dangerous and aggressive rogue nations have been in the headlines recently. In Iran, newly elected president Mohammad Khatemi has called for moderation and dialogue with the United States. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein continues to prevent U. N. weapons inspections into his efforts to acquire chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. Both of these events underscore the need for President Clinton to pursue a strong, bold foreign policy towards these nations. I applaud efforts by Khatemi to ease tensions with the United States. However, I am skeptical about Iranian “moderation” without seeing actual results in their international behavior and foreign policies. In other words, Khatemi’ s overtures towards peace mean very little unless and until Iran ceases its hostile actions. Since 1979, when Iranian militants stormed the U.S. embassy and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days, Iran has been a belligerent foe to the United States and its allies. I condemn Iran’s complicity in a 1996 terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia which killed 19 U.S. airmen; Khatemi’s recent statements praising Hezbollah’s armed resistance to Israel; and continued efforts by Iran to acquire weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them. Until Iran repudiates state-sponsored terrorism, any attempt at “dialogue” and “moderation” will only window-dress dangerous Iranian foreign policies.