Mark Kirk: “our American body politic is turning to a renewed examination of Iran, its government, and our relations with that…”

“our American body politic is turning to a renewed examination of Iran, its government, and our relations with that country. It has become an important member of the OPEC oil-producing cartel. Iran is also a state sponsor of terrorism and a leading voice for one part of Shia Islam. Recently, Iran elected a new president, a leader who replaced a moderate but ineffectual office holder who had presented Iran in a softer light, hiding a continuing policy of supporting terror and a nuclear program largely hidden from the view of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty that Iran signed and the U.N. inspectors who enforced it. Iran's new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has presented an entirely new face for the government of Iran. We have heard various quotes by the Iranian president in news media sources, but nowhere have all of President Ahmadinejad's statements on key topics been presented in one place for a review by the American public and our allies. Recently, I asked the Congressional Research Service to compile a list entitled 'Ahmadinejad In His Own Words' and I present it to the House today. History can be a very good guide in informing us on the direction of countries, of movements of dictators. When we are well informed, we may see the warning signs of dangers ahead so that the American people, our government, and our allies can respond with the most effective and least costly policies to avoid a coming danger.”