Lindsey Graham Promises AIPAC Members He Will Cut UN Funding and Derail Iran Negotiations

Lindsey Graham Threatens to Cut UN Funding and Derail Iran Negotiations
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is projected on a large video screen as he speaks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference in Washington, Sunday, March 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is projected on a large video screen as he speaks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference in Washington, Sunday, March 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

WASHINGTON -- Speaking to the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference Sunday morning, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) threatened to cut funding to the United Nations, who he believes is alienating Israel in the international community and tolerating anti-Semitism in Europe. His promise was met with applause and a standing ovation by the nearly 15,000 AIPAC members in attendance.

Though it wasn’t mentioned explicitly, a majority of lawmakers in Congress are protesting the Palestinian Authority's recent ascension to the International Criminal Court, the body responsible for prosecuting war crimes. The court, which has retroactive jurisdiction back to June 13, 2014, in Palestinian territories, would be able to investigate possible violations of the laws of war during last summer’s Gaza-Israel conflict. Graham was one of 75 senators who signed a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry in January, urging for a cessation of U.S. funding to the Palestinian Authority.

Graham also expressed his skepticism about the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the six-country team known as the P5+1. While Graham conceded that history would frown upon a Republican lawmaker who voted against a “good deal,” he expressed doubts in the negotiators’ ability to bring about an agreement that would be acceptable to Congress.

“I don’t really have a lot of faith in the Russians to get us to the promised land,” Graham said, referring to Russian membership in the P5+1.

As for the Iranians, “they lie, they cheat, they aren't trustworthy, they kill Americans, they would destroy Israel tomorrow if they could,” claimed Graham.

According to Graham, a “bad deal” is one that would allow Iran to maintain any enrichment program that is monitored only by the United Nations. “How does it make you feel,” he asked the audience, “that the only thing between Israel and Iran with a nuclear weapon is the UN?”

As a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran is allowed to maintain a peaceful nuclear enrichment program, as long as it complies with safeguards to verify compliance, such as inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear watchdog.

Graham is one of four senators who introduced new legislation on Friday that would prohibit the Obama administration from lifting sanctions against Iran within two months of reaching an agreement, in order to give Congress time to review and debate the deal. Meanwhile, sanctions relief has been a key requirement for any nuclear deal from the Iranians, whose economy has been heavily strained by years of international sanctions and plummeting oil prices.

Though he claimed support for a peaceful nuclear agreement with Iran, Graham repeated his opposition to restoring Iran’s economy. “As we have negotiated with the Iranians, they have toppled four Arab capitals,” he said, referencing what he believed was Iranian support for the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and Shiite militias in Iraq.

“What do you think they would do with sanction relief? Build schools and hospitals?" Graham asked. "They would fund their military to wreak more unrest in the region.” What Graham failed to mention is that Washington and Tehran are tacitly fighting side by side in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State.

In an unusual talking point, the senator pointed to Israel as an example of why Iran’s nuclear program should be restricted. “It’s common knowledge that Israel has a nuclear arsenal, yet not one Arab nation has felt the need to get a nuclear weapon as a result,” said Graham. He explained that if Iran possessed nuclear weapons, the Middle East would erupt in a nuclear arms race.

Though Israel has never officially confirmed its nuclear weapons program, it is widely believed that it developed weapons in the 1960s. Because it is not party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, its program is not subject to international inspection.

In 2003, The Guardian learned that Saudi Arabia conducted a strategic review to determine if it was comfortable remaining under the nuclear umbrella protection of the U.S., or if it should develop nuclear weapon capabilities of its own. In addition to concern about Iran’s nuclear program, the Saudis expressed concern over Israel’s secret nuclear weapons and the lack of international pressure on Israel over their program.

Before You Go

Ahmadinejad out, Rouhani in
The thaw in relations owes a lot to this guy - president Hassan Rouhani, who was elected in June 2013.In the 19 months between the British embassy closing and Rouhani's election, relations between Britain and Iran failed to improve - Britain even sending a warship to the Gulf over fears Iran may block the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.But Rouhani's election marks a sea change. He is seen as more moderate than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and is elected promising to improve relations with the West.His election prompts Britain to say it is interested in improving relations "step by step".
Rouhani addresses the UN
Rouhani visits New York City in September 2013, three months after his election. It is seen as a major break with his predecessor's line on "The Great Satan" and signals a desire to improve US/Iran relations.He addresses the UN, saying "peace is within reach" and offers negotiations to allay "reasonable concerns" the West has over his country's nuclear programme.In the same month, foreign secretary William Hague meets with his Iranian counterpart. Hague said he welcomed Iran's offers to slow down its uranium enrichment programme.
Obama and Rouhani's historic phone call
September 28 2013 - A 15-minute phone call between Obama and Rouhani is hailed as a historic moment that ends the 34-year diplomatic freeze between the two countries.It is the first conversation between an American and Iranian leader since 1979.Rouhani tweeted about the conversation, saying Obama ended it by saying "goodbye" in Farsi.
Diplomats exchanged
In the same month, foreign secretary William Hague meets with his Iranian counterpart. Hague said he welcomed Iran's offers to slow down its uranium enrichment programme.In October, Hague and Mohammad Javad Zarif (pictured right) announced that the countries will exchange diplomats with a view to re-opening permanent embassies in each country.
Cameron calls Rouhani
November 2013 - After Obama becomes the first American president to call the Iranian leader in 34 years, David Cameron calls him too, becoming the first prime minister to do so in more than a decade."The two leaders discussed the bilateral relationship between Britain and Iran welcoming the steps taken since President Rouhani took office," a Downing Street spokesman says."They agreed to continue efforts to improve the relationship on a step by step and reciprocal basis."Cameron also implores Rouhani to be "more transparent" with Iran's nuclear programme, Downing Street says.
About that embassy...
Suddenly, being friends became a lot more urgent when ISIS took Mosul, Iraq's second city, and began tearing through the country executing opponents and imposing strict Islamic law on the population.The Sunni militants' rise has been blamed on the pro-Shia stance of Iraq's Malaki government.Under Saddam, the country's Sunni minority dominated political life and fought an eight-year with Iran, which is a Shia majority country and does not like the idea of a terrorist army on its doorstep.

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