Tom Lantos: “I include for the record the statement of the American representative to the IAEA Special Board of Governors meeting on…”

“I include for the record the statement of the American representative to the IAEA Special Board of Governors meeting on February 4. Mr. Chairman, I wish to join other colleagues in expressing condolences to the Egyptian delegation, and through them to the Egyptian people, for yesterday's tragedy on the Red Sea. My government is pleased to have joined an overwhelming majority of Board members in signaling to Iran through adoption of this resolution the Board's firm determination that Iran must meet its nonproliferation obligations. The Board's September 24, 2005 resolution found Iran in noncompliance with its safeguards obligations pursuant to Article XII.C. That resolution also found that pursuant to Article III.B.4, Iran's nuclear program raises questions that fall within the competence of the UNSC. At that time and again in November, we deferred reporting Iran to the Council to give Iran yet another opportunity to choose diplomacy over confrontation. Unfortunately, Iran did not take that opportunity. As a result, the Board today carried forward the statutory process begun in September, by voting to report this Board's past findings and concerns regarding Iran's noncompliance. I agree with the distinguished Ambassador of Egypt that today's report to the Security Council will not divest the IAEA of the challenge posed by Iran.…”