Did Thompson-sponsored bill authorize force?
I received a letter from Congressman Mike Thompson explaining why he cosponsored the AIPAC-endorsed House Resolution 362. I cannot honestly believe him when he states that nothing in H.Res 362 authorizes the use of force.
The Resolution authorizes the President to prohibit the import to Iran of necessary refined products and to impose inspections upon all Iranian exports as well as upon travelers. These unilateral actions would constitute a blockade ? and are viewed as an act of war under international law. Thompson, by sponsorship of this resolution became an active promoter of confrontation and the imposition of our will by force, not by diplomacy or economic pressure as he misleadingly states.
The 2007 National Intelligence Estimate concluded that Iran was not engaged in the manufacture of nuclear weapons or their components. The IAEA has also declared that there is no evidence of any active Iranian program to produce weapons grade.
Further, by US intelligence estimates it would take 5 to 10 years for Iran to even produce enough enriched uranium for a single bomb, if they were to redirect their entire pilot level uranium enrichment program away for the production of low-grade power plant fuel. Even should we feel compelled to stop Iran from producing nuclear weapons, restricting import of refined products would have no impact upon their nuclear fuels program and can only be seen as harassment.
I have sufficient respect for Thompson”s intelligence and his experience over these past ten years in Washington, to believe that he actually knew the intent of H. Res 362 and its origin at AIPAC.
It gives our president Congressional approval to initiate acts of war without the necessity of a formal Resolution of the Congress, as called for in our Constitution.
James F. Houle
Redwood Valley
