Cong. Trent Franks: Yet Another Round of Ineffective Iran Sanctions is Too Little, Too Late

For Immediate Release
Contact: Bethany Haley or Ben Carnes at 202-225-4576

Franks: Yet Another Round of Ineffective Iran Sanctions is Too Little, Too Late

June 9, 2010 - Following today's announcement that the United Nations Security Council imposed yet another round of sanctions on Iran, in response to the Iranian regime's continued pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability, Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) released the following statement:

"Following the announcement today that the U.N. Security Council would impose yet another round of sanctions on Iran, Secretary of State Clinton publicly declared the move a victory for the Obama Administration.

"The Administration's celebratory reaction to the announcement makes it clear that they have not learned from history. The free world should remember that all three prior rounds of U.N. sanctions failed miserably to halt Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. At this point, sanctions, while appropriate, are simply not enough.

"By refusing to strongly confront Iran -- even in light of
revelations that the terrorist regime already possesses enough enriched uranium to build at least two nuclear warheads -- President Obama has categorically failed both the American people and her allies, by refusing to display true leadership as the grim prospect of nuclear terrorism across the world draws ever nearer.

"It is also worth noting that, in voting today against any punitive action against Iran, Turkey is clearly continuing its recent tendency of moving away from its once-strong alliances with Israel and the United States by opting instead to support the radical interests of the Iranian regime.

"Following on the heels of the Turkish Prime Minister's recent absurd statement that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, as well as Turkey's apparent complicity in the recent flotilla conflict (which was actually an effort to undercut Israel's ability to defend itself), Turkey's decision to vote against even these most basic disciplinary measures is absolutely inexcusable. The Turkish government would be wise to seriously reconsider what appears to be a calculated policy shift in favor of the oppressive, violent ideologies espoused by notorious state sponsors of terrorism like Iran and Syria."

Congressman Franks is serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, Military Readiness Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary, Constitution Subcommittee, and is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.