Senator John Kerry: Don't Myanmar Iran

At the meeting on Wednesday of the Committee on Foreign Relations concerning Iran, one protester held a sign that read "Don't Iraq Iran." Sentator Kerry, who spoke at the meeting, did not carry a sign. But if he had, it might have read: "Don't Myanmar Iran."

Addressing the meeting, Senator Kerry expressed outraged that serious alternatives to war as a means of halting Iran's nuclear program had not been given more urgent attention. He made a case for a more unified global approach to sanctions.

What bothers me is the world is sitting here -- this is very disturbing -- I talked about this with former Prime Minister Blair. It was interesting listening to his perspective now that he has departed office.

You got a lot of global leaders saying "you can't have this." But you have also got a lot of global leaders who haven't crossed the threshold of making a decision about what has to be done.

Let me just share with you (what I mean), in terms of that outrage.

There has been talk in recent months about the potential of Israel and the United States using military force against Iran.

Now obviously none of us here believe that option should be taken off the table.

There has not been a lot of talk about what global unified, true sanctions can achieve. We did it with South Africa. I was on this committee when we did it. Myanmar is another example: lame, lighthearted little sanctions that really did nothing. . . . China (inaudible) . . . I don't think Mr. Secretary that we are doing a very good job of leveraging our morality, our values, our interests, to calm the world down. . . .

Let me just throw a few things at you: An international arms embargo would have an impact. Resolution 1735 called for it but didn't require it. Are we serious when we call for something but don't require it? . . .

Here is a video which includes a portion of the remarks transcribed above:



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Note: For my overall take on the meeting, see the previous post, here.
Photo: by Jotman. Shows US Senator and former presidential candidate John Kerry.