Political Quotes

“I am pleased to offer with the Senator from Ohio [Mr. Glenn] an amendment that would withhold for a period of 1 year Export-Import Bank credits for any entity that knowingly assists a nonnuclear weapons state to acquire a nuclear explosive device or the special nuclear materials for such a device. I am pleased that the Senator from North Carolina [Mr. Helms] is joining us as a cosponsor. This amendment represents a significant advance in our efforts to target companies that are profiting from nuclear proliferation. It will strengthen the President's hand in showing United States determination to do all that it can to prevent illicit trafficking in nuclear weapons and the materials needed to make them. Under current law, and subject to a national interest waiver, Exim Bank credits are denied to: First, any country that has violated an international nuclear safeguards agreement; second, any country that has violated an agreement for nuclear cooperation with the United States; third, any nonnuclear weapons state that has detonated a nuclear weapon, or fourth, any country that has willfully aided or abetted a nonnuclear weapons state to get nuclear weapons. This amendment requires the President to apply sanctions against persons, including government-owned entities operating as commercial enterprises, that knowingly aid or abet efforts by a country to acquire a nuclear explosive device or the nuclear material for such a device.”