Rep. Cole Introduces Legislation Condemning Ahmadinejad's Comments

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congressman Cole introduced a resolution in the U.S. House yesterday evening that condemns Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hateful rhetoric directed toward Israel and his cavalier dismissal of the historical reality of the Holocaust.

"I believe it is very important that as representatives of the American people, we reject Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks as false and historically inaccurate. The lessons learned in World War II and the Holocaust must not be dismissed, debunked or forgotten by world leaders and the nations they represent," Congressman Tom Cole declared.

Following is the text of the legislation:

Whereas on October 26, 2005, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said in a speech that ‘‘Israel must be wiped off the map’’;

Whereas Ahmadinejad made his remarks at a conference entitled, ‘‘The World Without Zionism’’;

Whereas Ahmadinejad’s comments received condemnation from the United Nations and foreign governments, including a measure passed by a unanimous vote of the U.S. House of Representatives on October 28, 2005;

Whereas in a speech covered by Iranian state television on December 14, 2005, Ahmadinejad iterated his charge that Israel must be driven from its ‘‘occupation of Palestinian territory’’;

Whereas the Iranian President went on to call the Holocaust a lie, saying, ‘‘[The Israelis] have fabricated a legend under the name ‘Massacre of the Jews,’ and they hold it higher than God Himself’’ and that Ahmadinejad ‘‘hate[s] [Israel’s] frail civilization’’; and

Whereas such repugnant comments, coming after Ahmadinejad’s previous comments, further show the danger Iran could pose to the region and the world, especially if armed with a nuclear weapon, as is the Iranian government’s evident wish:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) condemns in the strongest terms the vile assertions by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and again demands that he disavow his remarks;

(2) calls upon the United Nations Security Council and all civilized nations to censure Iran for its government’s dangerous attempt to rewrite history;

(3) reiterates its earlier pledge to prevent Iran from procuring nuclear weapons and its steadfast bonds with the State of Israel; and

(4) affirms its understanding of all of the lessons of World War II, including that the millions murdered in the Holocaust must never be forgotten and such atrocities should never happen again.

This legislation would most likely be passed in the House by unanimous consent, which could happen as early as this week.

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