As Ahmadinejad Stops in Ecuador, Ros-Lehtinen Concerned Correa's Uranium Can Assist Iran's Nuclear Program

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement today on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Ecuador, the fourth stop on his "tour of tyrants" trip to Latin America:

"Ahmadinejad's stop in Ecuador illustrates a growing strategic partnership between Rafael Correa and the regime in Tehran. Over the last five years, Iran's economic investments in Ecuador have been effectively used to secure a loyal ally within our Hemisphere that could help Iran circumvent U.S. and UN sanctions. Iran's deepened alliance with Correa also facilitates Tehran's ability to access Ecuador's uranium deposits.

"As the United States and responsible nations work to compel Iran to verifiably cease and dismantle its nuclear program, I am concerned that Correa is in a position to undermine those efforts.

"Both regimes have entered into numerous economic and political ventures, and I am gravely concerned that Ecuador is solidifying its status as a willing accomplice to an Iranian agenda focused on harming the United States, our interests, and our allies.

"The United States must look closely at this unabashed cooperation and address Correa's potential role in assisting Iran's nuclear ambition."

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