Congress Decides Against Aiding Ahmadinejad's Campaign (Ahmadinejad's Little Helpers)

UPDATE

The House of Representatives is no longer planning to vote on the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009 this week. After publishing an article on Huffington Post about this, my staff at the National Iranian American Council was contacted by the House Financial Services Committee who informed us that the bill was no longer on the suspension calendar for Tuesday. The reason for the change? Concern that it could benefit hardline candidates in the Iranian election, as I had pointed out in my original article.

The bill had been scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, a mere three days before the Iranian presidential election, according to Congressional schedules posted over the weekend.

The bill would authorize state and local laws requiring public investment funds to sell all financial stakes in companies doing business in Iran's energy sector. Supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, proponents of the bill argue that additional sanctions on Iran increase US leverage over Iran. The bill has been portrayed as a measure to enhance President Obama's diplomatic strategy.

The Obama administration, however, doesn't seem to agree - even though Obama sponsored a similar bill when he served in the Senate. Secretary of State Clinton told lawmakers earlier in May that "Until we have tested, within the time period set forth by the president, where we think this engagement is going, I am not sure that adding new unilateral sanctions is really that helpful."

This Congressional act would likely be seen as a provocation in Iran - coming in the crucial final days before the elections. And if the Bush administration's policies taught us anything, it's that confrontational measures do not strengthen the moderates in the Middle East. It strengthens the radicals.

The timing couldn't have been better for Ahmadinejad. The momentum in the last week has clearly been with Moussavi, bolstered by his performance in the debate with Ahmadinejad, whose negative attacks against Moussavi and even his wife appear to have backfired.

Congress should listen to Secretary Clinton. More sanctions aren't what's needed now - talks are. After the elections, the administration will be able to get to work, and the real negotiations will begin.

Though this bill remains in play, Congress did the right thing by taking it off the schedule for this week.

Comments

[joebhed]

Thank you, Trita, as usual, for your work on a future of peaceful co-existence with Iran.
I seriously hope that this flawed chapter in American history will become the textbook case of how any nation must refrain from allowing its powers and interests to interfere with its own basic system of beliefs, so that an aggravated assault on the economy, and the threat of war never become a means to reaching any ends.
I believe the full, truthful story of our relations with Iran will become the classic history lesson that provides the degree of prevention that makes certain this never happens again.
Hopefully, soon Ahmad will be gone along with our cowboy.
I love Iran and the Iranian people.

[persianadvocate]

Mr. Parsi,
I admire you and your work sincerely. The biggest flaw of the Iranian and US governments is that they do not listen to you more frequently.
Sincerely,
An Iranian-American Lawyer

[zaz33]

Unknown to most Americans is the fact that US oil companies DID NOT support the war a gainst Iraq. They were making money there and are now locked out by a hostile population and continued conflict. Hunt oil may be doing busines in the Kurdish area but it's the only business I'm aware of.

If the US or Israel attacks Iran or Sudan it will be the kiss of death for US oil companies in those two countries. This is probably a battle between special interests. AIPAC and the MIC on one side and big oil on the other.

Big oil may not be as powerful as we've been led to believe.

[Dave MacLeod]

It's VERY important that this bill does not pass. Here are the sponsors of the bill and their contact addresses.

Barney Frank-MA
2252 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

Mark Kirk-IL
1030 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

A vote like this just days before the election in Iran is as boneheaded a move as boneheaded moves get.

[hodz]

As usual, it is the AIPAC members in the Congress who want the tension to continue in the Middle East. These lawmakers think of Israel first even if their action would hurt the US interests overseas.

[i am nav]

If this bill passes in time, Ahmadinejad may use it as a campaign strategy, however I doubt it will help him win many votes among the very dedicated supporters of Mousavi. If anything, it might be a "vitamin injection" to those opposing Ahmadinejad as he'll be blamed for this latest round of unilateral sanctions.

[stpmdn]

Israel needs Ahmadinejad as much as he needs them.

[messy]

I don't think that the bill will push any voters one way or another.

[mcantwell]

Keeping my fingers crossed for Iran. Congress is Congress..­..they are always sho oting thmeselves in the foot.