14 March 2000

Text: President Signs Into Law "Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000"

President Clinton March 14 signed into law H.R. 1883, the "Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000."

Under the bill, penalties are imposed on countries whose companies provide assistance to Iran in its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missile delivery systems. "In the case of Russian entities' cooperation with Iran, we have imposed penalties ten times in the past and stand ready to apply them again whenever necessary," the President said in a statement released March 14.

Following is the text of the White House statement:

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
March 14, 2000
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Today I have signed into law H.R. 1883, the "Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000."

I fully share the Congress' objective of promoting nonproliferation and combating Iran's efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missile delivery systems. This issue remains at the top of the agenda with Russia as well as with other countries whose companies may be providing such assistance to Iran. In the case of Russian entities' cooperation with Iran, we have imposed penalties ten times in the past and stand ready to apply them again whenever necessary.

The expansive reporting requirements in this bill in many ways duplicate existing laws, and my Administration will work with the Congress to rationalize these overlapping reporting requirements. We will also seek to rationalize the reporting requirements relating to certain transfers in instances where those transfers are legal under the applicable foreign laws and consistent with the guidelines of the applicable multilateral export control regime.

This bill, as amended, is less problematic than the earlier version that passed the House and will not harm our efforts to halt international cooperation with Iran's WMD and missile programs. Therefore, I have signed H.R. 1883.

I want to make it clear that Russia continues to be a valued partner in the International Space Station (ISS). H.R. 1833 requires certain determinations for purchases from Russia related to the ISS, but does not affect Russia's important role as an ISS partner. My Administration will also continue to work closely with the General Director of the Russian Aviation and Space Agency in his role as Special Representative on nonproliferation.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

The White House
March 14, 2000

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)