Kaptur Heralds Progress In Nuclear Agreement Framework

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the U.S. nuclear weapons program, issued the following statement in response to news that Iran and the P5+1 nations agreed to a framework for Iranian nuclear disarmament:

"President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz are to be heralded for their leadership in pursuing negotiations with Iran, in concert with the other P5 +1 nations of China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and Germany, that seek to block Iran's pathways to producing nuclear weapons. In evaluating the framework presented, our nation must be guided by President Ronald Reagan's admonishment: "Trust but Verify." An even better saying for this deal would be "don't trust, verify."

"Iran has consistently violated international nuclear non-proliferation conventions. The apparent progress made in this recent negotiation should ensure Iran's compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency's Safeguards Agreement, which it has violated regularly since 1982. Any new agreement must also meet the goals of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, keeping nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists. Both objectives remain top defense priorities of all peaceful nations."

"Details of the new agreement framework will now be evaluated by Members of Congress, other nuclear experts, and the public at large to assess their effectiveness. Additional work on incomplete provisions still needs to be done to finalize this agreement by June 30. It is important to recall that these negotiations with Iran began in 2006; recent progress in this accord is welcome but the job is not yet done."

"This framework holds the promise of significantly reducing both Iran's uranium enrichment pathways at Natanz and Fordo, and its plutonium capability at its Arak reactor. Under the terms of this framework, Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium will also be reduced by 98 percent. These are significant steps and will increase Iran's breakout time for developing a nuclear weapon from a few months to a full year. Still, questions remain, for example, regarding the extent of Iran's future centrifuge development efforts and capabilities."

"It is critical that the final agreement reflect the strict oversight and reporting standards outlined in this framework, particular for nuclear materials transport, nuclear experiments, and nuclear facilities' construction. Further any final agreement must include measures blocking any covert development.

"The United States and its allies seek a world safe from nuclear terror. All civilized people must work toward that end. And to that goal as well America pledges its full strength and commitment."

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