DEATH OF ONE DEAL MAKES SPACE FOR ANOTHER
Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Applauds Pro-Diplomacy Leadership in Senate
Washington DC – December 12, 2013– News Release – A Senate deal to impose further sanctions on Iran has fallen apart in favor of diplomacy.
“White House and congressional leadership from pro-diplomacy Senators has created an opportunity for one of the most important foreign policy initiatives in a decade to succeed: a diplomatic solution addressing Iran’s nuclear program,” said Laicie Heeley, Director of Middle East and Defense Policy at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. “The only good option on the table to address Iran’s nuclear program is diplomatic engagement. We are excited to see the Senate siding with the President and the American people on this issue.”
In a first-step deal negotiated between the P5+1 and Iran last month, Iran will neutralize its 20 percent enriched uranium stockpile, halt uranium enrichment beyond five percent and open its nuclear facilities for daily inspections in exchange for very limited sanctions relief and the promise of no further sanctions while a long-term deal is negotiated.
“The terms of the P5+1 deal with Iran are unprecedented. International inspectors will have daily access to Iran’s nuclear facilities to ensure that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapon,” said Heeley. “The first-step deal moves us leaps and bounds ahead of our current position in terms of ensuring the national security of the United States and our allies, especially Israel.”
Members of Congress including Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Representatives Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Steve Scalise (R-LA) attempted to push further sanctions that would have dismantled the newly won deal.
“For the moment, there are no new sanctions, but we could see another attempt to pass sanctions prior to the end of the six-month window for negotiations,” noted Heeley. “For the moment, at least, the space for a diplomatic solution remains open.”
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The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is a Washington-based non-profit think tank working to reduce the number of nuclear weapons stockpiled across the globe, increase international nonproliferation programs targeted at preventing the further proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear terrorism, redirect U.S. military spending to address 21st century security threats and halt the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons. www.armscontrolcenter.org
