Frank Lautenberg: “yesterday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, citing the words of the founder of Iran's Islamic revolution, the late…”

“yesterday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, citing the words of the founder of Iran's Islamic revolution, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, said ``Israel must be wiped off the map.'' He then went on to call Israel a ``disgraceful blot.'' He rejected the two-state solution to the Middle East crisis as a defeat for the Islamic world, adding that the ``roadmap'' would be short-lived. He said ``If we put it behind us successfully, God willing, it will pave the way for the destruction and the downfall of the Zionist regime.'' The Iranian President also criticized his neighbors by warning ``Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nations' fury.'' He made these despicable comments to 4,000 students attending a ``World without Zionism'' conference. This was just hours before a Palestinian suicide bomber from Islamic Jihad blew himself up in the small Israeli town of Hadera, killing 5 people and wounding more than 30. It's important to note that Islamic Jihad's murderers are supported and trained by Iran. Given the seriousness of President Ahmadinejad's hateful comments, I am submitting a resolution with Senator Smith asking that this body repudiate them. The resolution also calls on President Bush, on behalf of the United States, to condemn the remarks in the strongest terms possible. This kind of incendiary rhetoric is what we have come to expect from Iran. The Iranian President has been quite open about his views on Israel.…”