I
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 334
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 8, 2009
Ms. Lee of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
A BILL
To provide for the appointment of a high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the United States and Iran.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Iran Diplomatic Accountability Act of
2009
.
Findings
Congress finds the following:
On December 3, 2007, the National Intelligence Estimate, representing the consensus view of 16 intelligence agencies, concluded that Iran had once had a covert nuclear weapons program.
The National Intelligence Estimate also found that Iran had halted its covert nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that this program remains frozen.
The NIE concluded
that Iran's leadership was quite sensitive to international views and wanted to
avoid international confrontation and made a cost-benefit
decision regarding whether or not to have such a program.
Serious concerns still remain about the Government of Iran’s intentions and behavior with respect to the development of nuclear weapons, especially regarding its fuel enrichment program and the speed with which it might reconstitute its suspended nuclear weapons program.
Hostile official rhetoric exacerbates tensions and reinforces misunderstandings and animus between the people of the United States and Iran.
The United States should enlist the support of all interested parties to the region, including the IAEA, to establish a program to ensure that Iran's nuclear weapons program is terminated permanently, that its nuclear energy program is brought fully under IAEA inspection and control, and that all diplomatic tools are utilized to achieve these objectives.
A diplomatic solution that includes direct, unconditional, bilateral, and comprehensive talks with the Government of Iran is the only way to resolve long-standing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Appointment of high-level U.S. representative or special envoy
Appointment
At the earliest possible date, the President shall appoint a high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran.
Criteria for appointment
The President shall appoint an individual under subsection (a) on the basis of the individual’s knowledge and understanding of the issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program, experience in conducting international negotiations, and ability to conduct negotiations under subsection (c) with the respect and trust of the parties involved in the negotiations.
Duties
The high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran shall—
seek to conduct direct, unconditional, bilateral negotiations with Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the United States and Iran;
consult with other countries and international organizations, including countries in the region, where appropriate and when necessary to achieve the purpose set forth in paragraph (1);
act as liaison with United States and international intelligence agencies where appropriate and when necessary to achieve the purpose set for in paragraph (1); and
ensure that the bilateral negotiations under paragraph (1) complement the ongoing international negotiations with Iran.
Office of high-level U.S. representative or special envoy
Not later than 30 days after the appointment of a high-level United States representative or special envoy under section 3(a), the Secretary of State shall establish in the Department of State an office for the purpose of supporting the work of the representative or special envoy.
Reporting to Congress
Reports
Not later than 60 days after the high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran is appointed under section 3, and every 180 days thereafter, the United States representative or special envoy shall report to the committees set forth in subsection (b) on the status and progress of negotiations conducted under section 3(c). Each such report may, when necessary or appropriate, be submitted in classified and unclassified form.
Committees
The committees referred to in subsection (a) are—
the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010.