Durbin Pushes Legislation to Pressure Iran to Dismantle Nuclear Weapons Program

Press Release

DURBIN PUSHES LEGISLATION TO PRESSURE IRAN TO DISMANTLE NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) this week in introducing legislation to strengthen sanctions against Iran until that country dismantles all nuclear enrichment and reprocessing programs.

"Iran's leaders face a choice between the peaceful development of nuclear power for their citizens or the dangerous development of nuclear weapons," said Durbin. "This legislation provides pressure and incentives to help them choose the path to peace and nuclear non-proliferation."

The Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007

# Tightens economic sanctions on Iran.

# Addresses Russia's role in exporting nuclear and military technology to Iran by prohibiting U.S. entry into a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia until the President has verified that this cooperation has ceased.

# Encourages the peaceful development of nuclear power by authorizing $50 million in contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to establish an international nuclear fuel bank that would be available to countries that are in full compliance with IAEA safeguards and do not operate uranium enrichment or spent-fuel reprocessing facilities.

# Reiterates the requirement to produce a National Intelligence Estimate on Iran mandated under last year's Defense Authorization bill.

The IAEA is the world´s center of cooperation in the nuclear field. It was set up as the world´s "Atoms for Peace" organization in 1957 within the United Nations family. The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.

Source