Fwd: [paaffiliates] Senate action on Iran sanctions
Michael Lynn
From: Nina McLellan <Nina...@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Subject: [paaffiliates] Senate action on Iran sanctions
To: paaffi...@xmail.peace-action.org
Cc: Norman <n...@case.edu>
Norman Robbins, Cleveland Peace Action’s Iran consultant provided this information to Paul Martin. I’m forwarding at Kevin Martin’s suggestion.
I've just learned from Americans for Peace Now (APN) that the Senate leadership unexpectedly has hot-lined a senate version of HR 2194 (Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act) as Cal #215, S. 2799. This apparently means it could go for a floor vote without debate unless at least one Senator demands there be a debate before passage. I urge you to send out an emergency notice to Peace Action local groups to contact Senators to at least demand a full Senate debate, and if possible, to oppose this bill as written.
Background:
As you also know, House passage is virtually certain, so the Senate is the best hope for at least a delay. Americans for Peace Now have issued an excellent appeal to the Senate and a detailed analysis of HR 2194 (respectively at: http://peacenow.org/entries/apn_urges_senate_to_oppose_irpsa and
http://peacenow.org/images/Proposed%20Changes%20to%20IRPSA%20-%20Senate%20Version%20-%20Table.pdf
The most salient points they make is that the bills contain language which compel Presidential action rather than leaving such action to his discretion. They also require that no sanctions be relieved unless the President testifies that there has been complete cessation of Iran's Uranium enrichment (which Iran categorically refuses), again essentially removing discretion for any other UN nuclear negotiation. Also, almost no one believes that refined petroleum sanctions will be very effective or will change Iran's nuclear stance, but many point out that it will hurt the Iranian people, and has been opposed as harmful by Iranian reformists and human rights activists. I personally add the warning that many who know this bill will be ineffective still press for its enactment because it will justify military action when it fails.
____________________________________________________________
You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
paaffi...@xmail.peace-action.org
To be removed from the list, send any message to:
paaffiliates...@xmail.peace-action.org
To change your email preferences, your email address and access shared files see:
http://xmail.peace-action.org/lists/info/paaffiliates
--
Mike