Agreement gives the international community the right tools to verify Iran’s actions with stringent restrictions and inspections
— from the office of U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen —
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, [on Sept. 3, 2015] announced his support for the international agreement to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon.
“I have decided to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). While the agreement is not perfect, it is a major step in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. I spent the last month reading the text, listening to my constituents, and talking to experts on all sides. We all agreed that the goal of U.S. policy must be to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. I believe that this agreement is the best available option toward achieving this end.
“The agreement restricts Iranian stockpiles, enrichment, and technology. Iran’s compliance with these requirements will be verified with concrete evidence, not trust. The international community will have the tools and access to verify Iran’s progress toward upholding their end of the deal, tools we would not otherwise have.
“Some I spoke to were concerned that the agreement did not give international inspectors sufficient access to all sites. I agree this is a pivotal consideration. For nuclear sites, the agreement gives us 24-hour access and the use of a variety of monitoring technology. For anywhere else, if the International Atomic Energy Agency has concerns, the process for getting access to the site can take up to 24 days. While a shorter period would be preferable, this still represents an unprecedented level of intrusiveness to the Iranian nuclear program and military. And international oversight of the nuclear supply chain increases the likelihood of detecting cheating.
“Some have suggested renegotiating an agreement that included more concessions from the Iranians. Our partners in these negotiations, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany, are ready to move forward with this agreement. Russia and China appear likely to lift sanctions soon. Going back to the drawing board is not an option. Nuclear sanctions are going to be lifted. At this point, members of Congress have to decide if Iran should get something for nothing. I think it is better for national security if sanctions relief comes with stringent limitations on the Iranian nuclear program and a robust inspections regime.
“I am under no illusions that this agreement represents a change in Iranian behavior, and I recognize we cannot change the whole regime through an agreement designed to address only nuclear weapons. Iran continues to hold Americans prisoner, foment terror in the region, and call for the destruction of our ally, Israel. However, you do not need to negotiate agreements like this with your friends. I applaud the Administration for its diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and I will vote in favor of the agreement.
“Now the work of implementation begins. The Obama administration must devote its full attention to carrying out the agreement and leave the next administration in a position to ensure continued Iranian compliance,” Larsen said.
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Wake up, people.!
Thank you for your vote for peace and against an unnecessary war. You made the right decision.
David and Geri Turnoy
Domenic,
WOW. Your comments are all over the map. “Larsen is a shill for Israel,” yet Israel, at least their Government, and Bibi, are very much against the deal. So I’m not seeing the connection.
“The US has been responsible for the deaths of upwards of 40 million people” in the last 40 years? Do you have some kind of figures and where we did this or are you just throwing wild stuff out there?
And before you respond, let me say that I am no fan of Israel. Unlike you, although perhaps I am wrong, I have been a direct recipient of our often blind support of Israel. I have lost good friends and colleagues due to that blind support and almost paid the ultimate price myself. And to add to that, what I went through was commissioned by and paid for by the Iranian IRG. So I don’t care for either of them. In addition, I had several friends and coworkers who spent 444 days as guests of the Ayatollah.
Without this deal, Israel would most likely strike Iran either shortly before, or just after, the upcoming Presidential elections. Like it or not, we’d be dragged into it, even if it’s just by association.
So, I’m not sure where you are going with your comments, or what you are trying to say. I mean no disrespect. I’m just confused.
40 million. Between our weapons industry, our outright wars, our proxy wars, (arming and funding countries, and dictators we put into power, to attack other countries), and our corporations’ takeover and devastation of the worldwide ecological systems, and thus other peoples’ generational livelihoods, I would say we have caused the premature death of at least 40 million people, probably a whole lot more. The USA has been the principal cause of devastation on the planet since the end of WW2. We became a world superpower, but ultimately just another colonial, imperialist power. We tried to take over the world as best we could. And because of this we have been taking and using up 1/4 of the entire world’s resource production for the last 25 some odd years. Where do you think that all comes from?
I find that Larsen doesn’t work for the people, he works for whomever pays him the most money.
And Orcas Issues, please stop deleting my posts!
If press is not free speech, then What is it Worth?? Hum?
Editor’s notes: Comments that make libelous accusations or that we deem are uncivil are removed at the editors’ discretion. This was the case in the previous comments that are referred to.
Why does my email address appear, unbidden, in this field?
HI Jerry, your email shows up only on your device — it doesn’t display to the public site.
“. . . insure continued Iranian compliance”? Sorry, but Iran is directly responsible for some 2,000 American deaths over the past 35 years. They appear to be on course, as a prime stalwart of terrorist organizations, to attempt to impose Shiite, or even Sunni, dominance over the entire region, to include Israel’s demise. We Americans extend the olive branch, and Iran brazenly sets fire to it. I cannot trust them.
And, I’m doubly apprehensive, in that our State Department wizards also expressed confidence that North Korea could be kept nuke free, not so long ago.
Again, there are so many elephants in the room, I think I’m living in Botswana. George Orwell lives! Yikes!
Thanks, Orcas Issues, for addressing such “hot button” issues, so remote, yet so immediate. Neighbors, got room for refugees?
Iranians dancing in the streets (and laughing their a**es off) would make most rational people question this “not perfect” agreement.
Is it me, or is Rep. Larsen always in lockstep with the present Administration and the Democrat Party leadership? Shouldn’t he share some original thoughts with his constituents and not simply redistribute approved talking points?