Larry Pressler: “it is not often that Members on both sides of the aisle find themselves in agreement. However, curbing the proliferation…”

“it is not often that Members on both sides of the aisle find themselves in agreement. However, curbing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is an issue upon which I think we can all agree. In his State of the Union Address, President Clinton spoke of the dangers of ``rampant arms proliferation.'' Several of my colleagues have spoken on the issue during debate on this bill. The most horrifying kind of arms proliferation occuring in the world today is the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The greater part of this despicable trade in instruments of death is carried out among antidemocratic regimes. Indeed, by regimes which, under the terms of the Export Administration Act, are labeled as terrorist countries. We all know who these ``bad actors'' are: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Today, I offer an amendment designed to give the administration new authority to deal with this serious problem. Specifically, it is enhanced authority to impose sanctions on countries trading in the equipment and technology necessary to make long-range ballistic missiles. As a nation of laws, we do not impose sanctions, even on non- U.S. citizens, without cause. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is largely an illicit trade--modern-day smuggling with extremely high stakes.”