Resolution of Inquiry :: Iran

      Thanks to Carl at Which Way To The Future? we have info that a bipartisan effort to gain access to White House documents relating to Iran has been successfully written into law.   Carl, a friend from the BlogMad Community works in D.C. and is proving to be a valuable resource for information that does not always hit the news channels or the blogs.   Thanks Carl...   - ƒç

Which Way To The Future?

Stop Bush's October Surprise Attack on Iran!

Just before Congress adjourned in the wee hours of Saturday morning, two bipartisan initiatives emerged to oppose the threatened U.S. attack on Iran, one led by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and the other led by Rep. Wayne Gilchrist (R-Md.). Kucinich introduced a resolution of inquiry demanding documents from the White House regarding such plans. The full text follows:

Requesting the President to provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in his possession relating to United States policy toward Iran.

Resolved, That the President is requested to provide to the House of Representatives, not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution, all documents in the possession of the President relating to--

(1) the intelligence on Iran's nuclear energy program and Iran's capability to threaten the United States with nuclear weapons;

(2) any decision to remove the ruling regime from power in Iran, by means of United States military strikes, internal or external dissident groups and individuals, and by any other means;

(3) covert action (as defined in section 503 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413b)) being conducted by any United States Armed Forces in Iran, and training by United States Armed Forces of any group or organization for the conduct of operations hostile to the current regime of Iran, including the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) and any individuals ever associated with MEK, and the Iranian Party of Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) and any individuals ever associated with PJAK;

(4) creation of a new office in the Department of Defense similar in scope, function, or mandate to the former Office of Special Plans;

(5) ``Prepare to Deploy'' orders by the United States Navy to the waters near Iran; and

(6) all National Intelligence Estimates or any other intelligence community analysis regarding the consequences of attacking Iran, including the likelihood of increased prices of gasoline and oil and the economic impact to the United States of such increased gasoline and oil prices, the likelihood of increased attacks on United States troops in Iraq, and the growth of anti-American sentiment in the Islamic world.

Rep. Gilchrist issued the following press release, last Friday, under the headline "Gilchrest Asks the President To Open a Dialogue with Iran."

U.S. Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R_Maryland_1st) is leading an effort in Congress to ask President Bush to begin talks with Iran as soon as possible in hopes of averting another conflict in the Middle East.

In a letter sent to the President Friday, signed by 19 bipartisan members of the House, Gilchrest and his colleagues suggested that the last 26 years of a "no negotiation" policy has not yielded any positive results. By opening a dialogue with Tehran, the President can begin to try to solve this nuclear impasse diplomatically.

"If we hope to convince the American people, our allies, and the international community that we are committed to resolving this matter diplomatically, the U.S. must open up direct diplomatic channels with Tehran," the letter stated.

The letter also suggested that while talks with Iran's President may not be productive, there are other leaders and groups in Iran that would be receptive to such outreach. "We remind you that decision-making power under Iran's government is diffuse. Although we are all familiar with the inflammatory rhetoric of President Ahmadinejad, there are certainly other significant government bodies in Iran that have demonstrated moderation and an eagerness for dialogue. We believe that such bodies should be sought out for engagement."

There are seldom occasions in history where a great country should fear dialogue with a potential adversary. on the contrary, dialogue is needed to explain clearly the compelling nature of America's objectives in the Middle East. More than 25 years of isolating Iran has moved us farther from, not closer to, achieving these goals. No one can dispute that the U.S. has a strong track record of diplomatic successes in autocratic societies after opening negotiating channels.

"We believe America's diplomats are the best in the world and should be allowed to apply their talents to our conflict with Iran. We therefore respectfully urge you to begin the process of holding direct talks with Iran as soon as possible."

Other members who have signed the letter include: Gil Gutknecht (R_Minn.), Ron Paul (R_Tex.), Vic Snyder (D_Ark.), John R. "Randy" Kuhl Jr. (R_N.Y.), Roscoe Bartlett (R_Md.), Jim Kolbe (R_Ariz.), Elijah Cummings (R_Md.), Earl Blumenauer (D_Ore.), John J. Duncan Jr. (R_Tenn.), David Price (D_N.C.), Jim Leach (R_Ia.), John Olver (D_Mass.), Walter Jones (R_N.C.), Peter DeFazio (D_Ore.), Joe Schwartz (R_Mich.), Maurice Hinchey (D_N.Y.), Phil English (R_Pa.), C.L. "Butch" Otter (D_Id.).

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Tags :: Politics · Iran · Resolution of Inquiry · Congress · Anti War · Peace Movement