Rep. Johnson introduces Iran nuclear resolution

Bipartisan resoluton calls for international inspections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Phelan, Communications Director

WASHINGTON – Congressman Hank Johnson today introduced a resolution demanding that Iran disclose and provide international inspectors with unfettered access to all facilities associated with the Iranian nuclear program. H.Res.782 supports identical demands made by President Obama at last week’s G20 Conference in Pittsburgh.

The resolution, which was introduced with 33 bipartisan cosponsors, responds to last week’s revelation that Iran has built a secret enrichment facility near Qom, Iran. Iran did not disclose its Qom facility to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) until September 21, 2009, though U.S. intelligence agencies had been aware of the facility since at least 2006.

“For years, Iran has engaged in a pattern of evasion and deception while the international community has worked in good faith to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. Iran must come clean or it will face devastating international sanctions,” said Mr. Johnson.

The resolution demands that the Iran immediately disclose the existence of any additional nuclear-related facilities, urges the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to proceed as soon as possible with inspections of the Qom enrichment facility, and insists that the Iran provide IAEA inspectors immediate and unfettered access to its Qom facility and any other such facilities not yet disclosed.

U.S., British, French, Russian, Chinese, German, and Iranian officials will meet in Geneva on Thursday to discuss Iran’s nuclear program.