Sam Gibbons: “the events of last week simply underscore the fact that we live in a dangerous and unpredictable world. Not only must…”

“the events of last week simply underscore the fact that we live in a dangerous and unpredictable world. Not only must America respond to local threats, but we must also continue our vigilance to protect our Nation from foreign threats, threats that strike at the heart of this Nation, our very freedom. Time after time, we have been told by the administration that no rogue nation is capable of deploying a nuclear tip or chemical missiles that could strike the American soil by the year 2010. However, the Rumsfeld panel, a distinguished panel which had access to our national security, just released a sobering, independent assessment of the ballistic missile threat facing the U.S. That panel concluded that North Korea and Iran will have the ability to build a long-range nuclear missile by the turn of the century, not more than 2 years away. Last week's successful intermediate range ballistic test by Iran validates the Rumsfeld panel's finding. Iran sent a chilling message to their neighbors and the world that they can strike anywhere in the Middle East with their current technology. The time has come for this Congress and this administration to focus on building and deploying an antimissile defense system to protect the United States from missile attack. Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve no less.”