Hearing of the Middle East and Central Asia Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee

June 24, 2004 Thursday

HEADLINE: HEARING OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

SUBJECT: IRANIAN PROLIFERATION

WITNESSES: JOHN BOLTON, UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR ARMS CONTROL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS; PETER FLORY, PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS

CHAIRED BY: REP. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN (R-F)

LOCATION: 2172 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C.

REP. STEVE CHABOT (R-OH): Madam Chair, I'll be very brief in my comments, because I know we all want to get to the witnesses. President Bush had described Iran as being one of the three members of the axis of evil, along with Iraq and North Korea. And some people scoffed at that description, but I think we are going to learn things here this afternoon that's going to show just how accurate the president's comments were at that time. And when one mixes nuclear weapons-potential for nuclear weapons and essentially a state that has been involved in terrorism, and continues to be, it really spells potential disaster. And so I want to commend you for holding this very important hearing this afternoon. It's very timely. And I want to thank you for inviting Mr. Bolton to be here. Thank you.

REP. ROS-LEHTINEN: Thank you so much, Mr. Chabot. Mr. Sherman.