Bond on Iran: "They've Shown Us Enough"

Hours after the country tested two short-range missiles, Sen. Kit Bond called for tough economic sanctions against Iran and said the revelation of a secret nuclear site undermines the credibility of its leaders.

"Today's action in firing the missiles is really a poke in the eye to those who think that diplomatic efforts and agreements and inspections are going to change the way that Iran is going," said Sen. Bond in an interview on FOX News Sunday.

"I think, as the "Show-Me State" senator, they've shown us enough, much of it through speeches by Ahmadinejad saying, 'We're going to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.' He has launched the missiles to show that they are taking seriously their threat," Bond said.

Bond, who appeared with California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, said strong economic sanctions could force Iranian leaders to change their policy. He noted Senate legislation that would restrict refined petroleum.

"That's something we can do, along with Treasury sanctions. But we need Russia and China -- real question whether they will actually go along," said Sen. Bond.

Democratic House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton suggested similar sanctions in an interview Friday.

Bond said he agreed with Feinstein when she suggested that negotiations were a much preferable alternative to air strikes.

"That's why I think that strong economic sanctions, which have to be applied by the world community, not just us -- we can make an impact -- are the best way to go," said Bond. "Nobody wants to see us use military power but, as Senator Feinstein said, a nuclear-armed Iran would be a disaster for the world," Bond continued.

During his appearance, Bond also reinforced his support for sending additional troops into Afghanistan and criticized President Obama for "dithering and delaying" the decision.

Missouri's senior Senator also made a quick reference to Springfield as he outlined is opposition to the President's plan to close Guantanamo Bay.

"I wouldn't mind seeing them at Alcatraz, but my California friends have minimum amount of high enthusiasm for that," Bond said. "But if they're sick, they're transferred to the federal Springfield, Missouri medical facility in my state, and my constituents and I think that would be a very bad idea," Bond said.

Skelton Calls For Sanctions

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton is calling for new international sanctions against Iran, in the wake of revelations that the country has been operating a secret nuclear facility.

"The news that we got, of course, is very troubling. France and Great Britain are alongside of us in trying to do something, and I think they should move ahead with the sanctions they've been talking about," Skelton told MSNBC. "It's really troubling that, being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, they choose to hide and withhold information from the [International Atomic Energy Association], and I think we need to push those sanctions as best we can," he added.

"I think we need -- regardless of what they try to do -- we need to push those sanctions," Skelton added. "If they were really trying to do this for peaceful purposes, they would [not hide] the fact they're enriching this uranium. They have to know it's a painful choice that they have made in hiding facilities that enrich uranium."

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Legislation before Congress is aimed at cutting off Iran's gasoline and other petroleum imports. Skelton dismissed concerns that Iran might retaliate. "I don't know what they would do, but I think we need, regardless what they try to do, we need to push those sanctions," Skelton said.

The Best Offense Is A Good . . .

BLUNT, MCCASKILL LEERY OF OBAMA SHIFT ON MISSILE DEFENSE

Sen. Claire McCaskill joined Congressman Roy Blunt in raising questions about President Obama's plan to scrap a missile defense system for eastern Europe.

CONGRESSMAN ROY BLUNT STATEMENT:

“Seventy years ago today, the Soviet Union invaded Poland. And, today, at the Russians’ request, the Obama Administration has agreed to abandon the missile defense shield developed to protect our close allies in Eastern Europe. The administration’s decision to scrap the missile defense plan is incredibly shortsighted and comes at the expense of our allies in the War on Terror," said Blunt in a statement.

"At the same time, the vice-president is defending this thoughtless decision by claiming that Iran does not pose a threat to our security or to that of our allies. That statement could not be farther from the truth. Iran has refused to discuss its nuclear program, but it is clear that Iran’s missile and nuclear activities are true threats to the United States and our allies. Appeasement of dangerous nations does not inspire peace. We must stand firm and send the signal that we will not back down when the safety of Americans and our allies is at stake," Blunt added.

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SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL STATEMENT:

"I am concerned about the Administration’s abrupt decision today to cancel the long-planned missile defense deployment to two important allies, the Czech Republic and Poland. In July, the Senate unanimously adopted the Lieberman-Sessions amendment that stated that the U.S. missile defense system in Europe should be capable of protecting the United States and Europe. I urge the Administration to explain to the American people and our European allies why this decision is in the best interest of our collective security against the Iranian threat – right now we have been given too little information to be sure that this is the best path forward," McCaskill said.

Bond: Obama Should Thank Bush for Iraq

ALSO SAYS U.S. SHOULD CUT OFF PETROLEUM TO IRAN

Sen. Kit Bond said President Obama should thank former President Bush for pursuing the controversial surge strategy that helped lead to relative stability in Iraq.

Bond made his comments after a ribbon-cutting event for a new community health center in Springfield Thursday.

"He congratulated the troops, I join him on that. He should've said thank you, President Bush," Bond said.

Earlier this week, Iraq's government took over control of cities and towns from American troops. The transition was part of the status forces agreement that was hammered out last year.

***WATCH ABOVE***

On Iran, Bond said the U.S. should attempt to cut off refined petroleum exports to the country. "That will cause a change in the regime's attitude, or a regime change, because they're short of refined petroleum."

Also hopes Obama has "given up on talks" with embattled Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Blunt to Tour Mt. Vernon Vet Clinic Monday

Congressman Roy Blunt will visit the Missouri Rehab Center and Gene Taylor Veterans Clinic in Mt. Vernon Monday at 9:45 a.m.
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OTHER BLUNT POINTS:

• According to American Medical News, Congressman Blunt seems to agree that Congress needs to fix the Medicare reimbursement formula this year. "Almost everyone in the Congress believes that you need to be more fairly compensated and that Medicare takes advantage of the system by not doing [its] part,"Blunt is quoted saying at a March 10th conference.
• Blunt has co-sponsored legislation with Rep. Ron Paul (i.e. Mr. Revolution) that calls for the Federal Reserve to be more transparent about their operations. The legislation requires a full audit of the Fed by the end of 2010. "An extra level of transparency could prevent our current troubles from worsening -- and perhaps could have prevented them from becoming this severe," Blunt said.
• Capital J, a D.C-based Jewish publication, reports that Blunt wants a greater effort from the State Department to enforce sanctions against Iran. He wants the Obama administration to apply more pressure on firms that invest in Iran's energy sector.

ALSO on MONDAY: Blunt has an evening fundraiser set for his U.S. Senate bid at Metro in Springfield.

Bond Urges Caution on Iran Report

Missouri's senior Senator says a new unclassified report on Iran's nuclear program "is probably good news, but cautions that serious diplomatic problems with the country remain."

Iran halted its nuclear weapons development program in the fall of 2003 under international pressure but is continuing to enrich uranium, which means it may still be able to develop a weapon between 2010 and 2015, senior U.S. intelligence officials said Monday.

That finding, in a new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, is a change from two years ago, when U.S. intelligence agencies believed Tehran was determined to develop a nuclear capability and was continuing its weapons development program.

“At first blush, this looks like a good news story. Good because the Intelligence Community was willing to reconsider an important intelligence judgment. More importantly, it’s good news that Iran doesn’t appear to be currently working on a bomb. I look forward, however, to the completion of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s examination of the Iran NIE and the underlying intelligence documents, so that I can better understand how they reached these judgments," Sen. Kit Bond said in a statement Monday.

The new intelligence estimate also judges that Tehran is “at a minimum” keeping open the option to develop nuclear weapons.

Bond said the Senate Intelligence Committee has been reviewing the quality of the Intelligence Community’s Iran assessments for several years and stressed that the committee will thoroughly examine both the classified NIE and the underlying intelligence reporting upon which the NIE’s assessments were based.

Bond cautioned that regardless of Iran’s current intent concerning nuclear weapons, Tehran’s pursuit of a uranium enrichment capability remains a significant problem.

“Uranium enrichment is a dangerous capability. I’m not comfortable with Iran having the means to produce bomb-grade material, in case they change their mind later. I hope this new assessment doesn’t undermine the current multi-lateral efforts to resolve that problem,” said Bond.

Newsweek Singles Out Steelman for "Divesting Terror"

In a recent column, Newsweek's Jonathan Alter praises Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman for promoting a "terror-free" investment fund in the Show-Me state that has yielded big returns.

Alter's column argues for other ways to confront Iran, besides a bombing campaign or ground war. He writes that many state and local officials have "identified a powerful grass-roots tool" to divest from Iranian assets.

He calls Steelman, "the first important convert" to divesting terror.

From Alter's piece:

"When Steelman assumed supervision of the state pension funds, she learned that Missouri parked a large chunk of its assets with BNP Paribus, a French bank that floated billions in loans to Iran, and that the Show Me State invested its pension funds in dozens of European and Asian companies that effectively helped prop up murderous regimes. (North Korea, Syria, Sudan and, until recently, Libya are the other governments cited for sponsoring terrorism and targeted for divestment.) The pension funds don't like to be told what to do, and they claimed divestment would bring heavy losses. Wrong. Steelman's "terror-free" fund returned 29 percent in the last 12 months, 4 percent higher than the benchmark."

Pink Is Back

CodePink of the Ozarks will attend tonight's Springfield City Council meeting, urging them to adopt a resolution that requires the President to receive Congressional authorization before any military action against Iran.

Not exactly pit bull drama, but CodePink always figures out a way to get noticed.

This comes on the same day Iran's president put on an international show at Columbia University, questioning the official cause of September 11th, and again questioning the Holocaust.

CodePink will also request passage of a resolution that ensures our relations with Iran "are onsistent with international law" and "encourages talks without preconditions between the U.S. and Iran."

"For those who say this is not a local issue, I say tell that to the citizens of Greensburg, Kansas, who didn't have the necessary resources after an F-5 tornado ravaged their town because the necessary resources of the National Guard were in Iraq," says Gary Wilson of CodePink of the Ozarks.

"All that we are asking for is that the city draft and adopt a resolution that demands our Congress and the current administration follow the constitution, international law, and the U.N. I don't think that is too much to ask of anyone. I can't think of anything more American and patriotic," Wilson says.

The meeting begins in Council Chambers at 7 p.m. tonight.