AMID NUCLEAR WEAPONS ALLEGATIONS, REP. ANDREWS CO-SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO HOLD CURRENT REGIME ACCOUNTABLE IN IRAN FOR ITS THREATENING BEHAVIOR AND TO SUPPORT A TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN IRAN

Out of deep concern over allegations that Iran has a covert nuclear weapons program, I have co-sponsored H.R. 282, the Iran Freedom Support Act to hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran.

H.R. 282 provides that U.S. sanctions, controls and regulations relating to weapons of mass destruction with respect to Iran shall remain in effect until the President certifies to the Congress that Iran has permanently and verifiably dismantled its weapons for mass destruction programs. Additionally, H.R. 282 authorizes the President to provide financial and political assistance to eligible foreign and domestic individuals and groups that support democracy in Iran.

In the interest of human rights and for the national security of the United States, I believe a regime change in Iran should be the policy of the United States, not negotiation, not cooperation. Regime change does not mean military action. Rather, a change in a regime which appears on the surface to be reasonably free, resembling some kind of a democracy.

To achieve this regime change in Iran, I believe that the United States should engage in three necessary steps. First, the Council of Elders that runs the country should be replaced with a true representative group of people chosen by the Iranian people. Second, the United States should fully enforce the Iran Sanctions Act passed by Congress a few years ago to utilize every economic and regulatory tool at our disposal.

Additionally, we should broadcast freedom into Iran more aggressively by encouraging the law abiding citizens of our country who are of Iranian descent to become actively engaged in encouraging their brothers and sisters in Iran to make the regime change to benefit them. To explore the initiative to have Iranian Americans encourage peace in their native land, I recently met with Iranian dissidents who expressed their desire to organize an international conference to discuss what a new government of Iran would resemble. As a result of this meeting, I am working with the Iranian dissidents to draft a joint resolution calling for the creation of such a conference which would reflect the support of the United States.

Finally, we should continue to seek international cooperation from our allies. It is vital for the United States to incorporate a plan for peace to safeguard our countrymen from terrorist attacks and to assist Iranians as they rise up and fight for freedom. The best way to project Peace in Iran is by promoting freedom, utilizing our economic power and by working with our allies through diplomatic actions. 

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