Urgent Action Needed

July, 2001

To: Officers, Rabbis, Key Contacts
From: Richard B. Stone, Chairman
Betty Ehrenberg, Director, International and Communal Affairs
RE: Iran-Libya Sanctions Act - Renewal

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As the House International Relations Committee holds hearings and begins consideration of the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) this week, outgoing FBI Director Louis Freeh charged that Iran is responsible for the 1996 Khobar barracks bombing in Saudi Arabia, which killed 19 American soldiers and injured 500. In an interview with The New Yorker magazine, Freeh said that the attack was a well-coordinated effort by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which provided the passports, training and explosives to perpetrate the crime. With Iran continuing to support and finance terrorist attacks directed at American and Israeli targets, it is extremely important to continue calling Members of Congress and urge them to become original co-sponsors of the legislation to renew ILSA. 

In the Senate, Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will introduce legislation to extend ILSA for another five years. In the House, Representative Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia of the House International Relations Committee, and Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) will introduce similar legislation this week. 

Immediate Action Necessary: Urge Senators and House members to become original co-sponsors of the extension of the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act. To co-sponsor ILSA, Senators should have their staff contact either Rob Epplin of Senator Smith's office at (202) 224-3753 or Stuart Gottleib at Senator Schumer's office at (202) 224-6542. House members should have their staff contact either Matt Zweig with the Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee at (202) 226-9940 or Doug Campbell of Representative Berman's office at (202) 225-4695. 

Important points to raise:

• Neither Iran nor Libya has moderated any of its objectionable policies. Iran's financial support and supply of weapons to Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, and Hamas have never been greater. 

• All elements of the Iranian regime continue to call for the destruction of Israel while supporting the country's aggressive pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them.

• Despite a Libyan intelligence officer being found guilty in the downing of Pan Am Flight 103, Libya refuses to comply with all the required demands of United Nations. 

1. Iran's oil exports finance its nuclear and missile programs and its support of terrorism: Iran's oil production is little more than half of what it was under the Shah and is declining. A further decline through a lack of foreign investment will limit Iran's funds available to support terrorism and to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

2. The Iran-Libya Sanctions Act has deterred foreign investment: In other words the sanctions do work. In 1996 Congress overwhelmingly enacted ILSA. Over the last five years, Iran has sought foreign investment for 55 petroleum development projects. Only six have received any foreign investment. Most foreign petroleum industries have significant business in the United States and fear U.S. sanctions under ILSA.

3. In 1996, ILSA received the overwhelming endorsement of the Senate Banking Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. The strong support that ILSA received in 1996 was attributed to the great deal of flexibility the President has in deciding on the range and implementation of the sanctions.

It is important that your Congressman and Senator co-sponsor this legislation. The renewal of ILSA will continue to limit the funds available to these countries which support terrorism and pursue weapons of mass destruction. You can contact your Representatives and Senators at the addresses below.

Send our automated letter!

Write to:
Representative _________________
U.S. House of Representatives 
Washington, D.C. 20515

Senator ____________________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Call:
(202) 225-3121
Ask for your Representative 

(202) 224-3121
Ask for your Senator

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