Bill to strengthen US sanctions against Iran makes progress

Washington, Mar 16: Legislation that would strengthen US sanctions on Iran has moved ahead securing more than two-third support in the House of Representatives.

Approval of the Iran Freedom Support Act in the House Committee yesterday virtually assures swift passage when it comes to a vote in the full House, Congressional sources said.

The legislation would effectively replace a law called the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act approved by Congress in 1996, and extended for five years in 2001 by President George W Bush. The new law takes into account Libya's policies, notably its decision to scrap its weapons of mass destruction programmes as well as developments regarding Iran's nuclear efforts.

''The weight of American sanctions will now be focused solely on Iran, because the mullahs in Tehran continue to pursue their nuclear ambitions,'' commented Congressman Tom Lantos, the ranking Democrat on the Committee.

''The message to Tehran is simple: follow the Libya model and we in Congress are prepared to open a new and much happier chapter in US-Iranian relations.'' The legislation, if passed would allow President Bush to impose sanctions against international companies or nations investing more than 20 million dollars in Iran's energy sector. President Bush would have the power to waive sanctions in the interest of national security.

Even though the bill was first introduced last year, it has been delayed because its sponsors negotiated with the Bush administration over some of its provisions. The Bush administration still refuses to support it as it considers it a hindrance to international consensus on Iran.

Republican Chairman of the Committee Henry Hyde, who generally supports the legislation has reservations, feels that punishing foreign governments could hurt efforts to maintain a broad international coalition to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.

''To successfully deter the Iranian regime the opposition must truly be global,'' he said.

''By threatening tough sanctions, not against Iran but against third parties who invest in Iran's petroleum industry, (the bill) targets our allies. The aproach is divisive and understandably our allies have resisted.'' But the main sponsor of the bill Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, believes that the legislation will send a clear message to Tehran.

''We are presenting this bill as an effective tool to use regarding Iran's nuclear ambition which presents a true threat to our national security,'' she said.

Although the bill authorises increased US funding for spreading democracy in Tehran, the Iran Freedom Support Act does not explicitly call for regime change in Iran.

UNI