ACR18

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman SEAN T. KEAN

District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

Expresses strong opposition to international agreement with Iran concerning nuclear materials.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

A Concurrent Resolution expressing strong opposition to the international agreement with Iran concerning nuclear materials.

Whereas, The United States and a group of six other nations reached an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear manufacturing capacity for more than a decade in return for lifting existing international oil and financial sanctions against Iran; and

Whereas, Although the agreement was welcomed by some European leaders, there are many other leaders around the world and in the United States who expressed concern that the agreement would do little to limit Iran’s ability to build nuclear weapons; and

Whereas, Although the agreement requires inspections and careful oversight of Iran’s program for 10 years, ultimately the agreement will embolden Iran rather than limit its nuclear ambitions; and

Whereas, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, called the agreement an “historic mistake” that will create a “terrorist nuclear superpower” ready and able to threaten the continuing existence of Israel; and

Whereas, Other critics of the agreement, including the leaders of Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, concur with Mr. Netanyahu and fear that Iran will soon use some of the billions of dollars it is to receive when sanctions are lifted to increase its conventional military resources; and

Whereas, The legitimate fear is that a significant part of the funds Iran will soon receive will be used to equip the international terrorist organizations currently fighting in the Middle East and seeking to further destabilize the region; and

Whereas, In Washington, D.C., leaders in both major political parties expressed understandable skepticism and justifiable hostility toward the agreement when it was under review by Congress, citing Iran’s long history of hatred toward the United States, commitment to destroy Israel, and disregard of the terms of past nuclear agreements; and

Whereas, Some members of Congress expressed strong concern about what will happen after a decade when the limits in the agreement expire and Iran will conduct unlimited research using advanced technology and produce as much nuclear fuel as it wishes; and

Whereas, Others members of Congress expressed strong concern that the agreement limits the ability of the United States to respond militarily to Iran if it adopts an aggressive posture toward its neighbors, especially Israel, or is caught cheating on the proposed agreement; and

Whereas, Given the legitimate questions raised by the proposed nuclear agreement with Iran and the justifiable concerns of many respected national and world leaders opposed to the agreement, it is fitting and proper for the Legislature to express its strong opposition to the international agreement with Iran concerning nuclear materials; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The Legislature expresses its strong opposition to the international agreement with Iran concerning nuclear materials.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to every member of the Congress of the United States.

STATEMENT

This concurrent resolution expresses the strong opposition of the Legislature to the international agreement with Iran concerning nuclear materials.