April 4, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S 5095 why it should want a massive offensive con- Judiac nature, Egptian, and Syrian political COMMENTS ON IRANIAN LEADERSHIP ventional and nuclear strike capability. Sec- secularism, Saudi Arabia’s Sunni sectarian- Finally, in our assessment, the current ondly, who or what are the ostensible targets ism, the economic per capita wealth of the clerical leadership in Tehran seems to be to- requiring such national commitment of Persian Gulf States, the Turkish security tally incapable of comprehending the dan- human, economic, and material resources, to links to the U.S., and the overall instability gerous consequences of their course of ac- say nothing of the political capital expended of the former Soviet Caucuses and Central tion. The clerics seem oblivious to the his- in the international community. Asian Republics and Afghanistan. toric lessons of this century. All those who The ‘‘why’’ of the clerical regime’s mili- It is well within reason that the clerical overreached their power paid dearly. Irre- tary build-up can be answered simply as a leadership in Tehran may perceive some, if sponsible policies and actions by irrational normal action in light of the recent war with not all, of these differences as a threat to its and despotic leaders brought untold hardship Iraq. More importantly, however, the up- ‘‘way of life’’ and ideology. Perhaps they also and misery on the civilian population. The grading of offensive conventional and future see them as targets of opportunity for some overreaching of military power by the clerics nuclear strike capabilities must be seen in future date, when through armed threats and in Iran could bring about the destruction of the light of the Mullahs’ determination to other coerive means, they look forward to the Iranian nation. It should be made clear ensure their survival in the seat of power in imposing their hegemony, and forcing them that the imperatives of Iran’s security needs Tehran, and more ominously for the future, to accede to their religious and political ide- are recognized, and the bravery and dedica- perhaps to further their political-religious ology. tion of its Armed Forces in defending the na- goals elsewhere in the Middle East and North The clerics’ support of political terrorism tion is lauded. It is our belief that the course Africa. in Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, ALgeria and else- of military expansion exceeds the require- The importance of Iran’s current rearming where lends credence to their once far- ments for defense of the frontiers against and upgrading of fire-power can be measured fetched claim of converting the world of any adversary for the foreseeable future. The in terms of its economic cost to the nation. Islam to Khomeinism. In light of their ac- course pursued can only lead to the destruc- The U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament tions and pronouncements, this indeed may tion of the patriotic Armed Forces need- Agency (ACDA) estimates that between 1987– be their first step on the road to achieving lessly. 91 the clerical regime ruling Iran spent an their avowed goals. In order to prevent the dangers of irrespon- estimated US$8-billion in hard currency for The nuclear strategic doctrine of the Is- sible military expansion and adventurism, weapons imports. At least a similar amount lamic Republic was formulated by ‘‘The we categorically support the replacement of has been spent since 1991 for further pur- Strategic Islamic Research Center’’ headed the current regime with one dedicated to chases of weapons systems. This at a time by Hojatol Islam Khoeiniha. Following are democratic principles well-grounded in the when the country is experiencing significant the main conclusions and goals of the Center realities of the international security envi- economic distress as indicated by the fact which were reached in a secret meeting in ronment and balance of power concept. Fur- that the per capita share of the GNP (i.e. the May 1991: thermore, we insist that a new regime must individual economic worth) has fallen to 1. After the collapse of communism, Islam have the support, respect and confidence of around $1,000. is the only force and Islamic Republic the the Iranian people as well as that of the From these bare economic facts, it is ap- only leader and supporter of the liberation of international community. parent that the clerical regime in Tehran is the oppressed masses. First and foremost on its agenda must be choosing ‘‘guns over butter’’, and, con- 2. Iran will naturally be on a collision the well-being of the people, and guarantees sequently, is perpetuating the economic mis- course with the U.S., and must consider the for individual freedom and human rights. ery of the Iranian population. Compounding U.S. a real threat to the Islamic world. Along with economic security, it must work this economic situation is the fact that 3. Iran needs to develop nuclear power and to ensure their physical as well as national Iran’s external debt is at least US$40-billion, prestige. security. These can be achieved by reversing and given the relatively modest world prices The result of this meeting, which was the current aggression-oriented arms build- for crude oil, Iran’s main foreign currency never publicized, should not be taken lightly. up and support for terrorism. Instead, the earner, there is little hope for debt reduction Nuclear weapons can be either the guarantor new leadership must be dedicated to, and in the foreseable future. What this simply of state, or a threat to the whole region and must take an active role in promoting re- means is that as the external debt burden survival of the country itself. The difference gional and world peace. grows, the clerics will find it more difficult lies in the responsibility, wisdom, and the f to acquire credit for domestic needs such as sophistication of the leadership, and the nu- imports of necessary goods and services that clear strategy it adopts. In the hands of re- are urgently needed to stop the nation’s rap- WAS CONGRESS IRRESPONSIBLE? sponsible leaders, one can assume that nu- THE VOTERS HAVE SAID YES idly declining living standards. clear weapons would not be used unless abso- Moreover, the great economic burden of lute survival of the country was at stake. In Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, before the massive arms build-up has serious long the case of the current clerical leadership in contemplating today’s bad news about term implications for Iran’s development of Tehran, it could present a real threat. the Federal debt, let us do that little its industrial economic base, notably, the Like the United States, Israel is seen as pop quiz again: How many million dol- petro-chemical infrastructure. Authorities the ‘‘Satan: the extreme negation of all that estimate that Iran needs US$5-billion for re- lars are in $1 trillion? When you arrive is held religiously and politically sacred to at an answer, bear in mind that it was pairs, replacement parts and maintenance of the clerics in Tehran. Moreover, the Islamic its petroleum extraction and processing shrines in Jerusalem must be ‘‘redeemed’’. Congress that ran up a debt now ex- equipment and facilities, and an additional The clerics’ success in this effort would most ceeding $4.8 trillion. US$1-billion for the maintenance of attend- certainly evoke the Moslem masses to re- To be exact, as of the close of busi- ant petro-chemical equipment. If this invest- spond to its cause and jihad: a tide which ness Monday, April 3, the total Federal ment in the petroleum infrastructure is de- none of the Middle Eastern States could debt—down to the penny—stood at layed or slowed down, it is likely that within withstand. $4,873,480,746,464.74—meaning that 15 years, the entire infrastructure will col- It is the opinion of many specialists that lapse, bringing about economic catastrophe. every man, woman, and child in Amer- Israel is the lynch-pin for Iranian religious/ ica now owes $18,499.82 computed on a The salient question is at what cost to the political hegemony in the Middle East. Oth- welfare and well-being of the Iranian people, ers point to the clercs’ claim of the right to per capita basis. and at what cost to the goodwill and eco- administer the holy shrines in Mecca and Mr. President, again to answer the nomic credibility within the international Medina. Another important target is likely pop quiz question, How many million community is the clerical leadership willing to be Egypt which is already facing very se- in a trillion? There are a million mil- to expend for illusionary and self-destructive rious challenges to its political and eco- lion in a trillion; and you can thank goals of religious fanaticism and domestic nomic infrastructure from radical Moslem and international terrorism. the U.S. Congress for the existing Fed- fundamentalists. The long arm of eral debt exceeding $4.8 trillion. THE LIKELY TARGETS OF THE CLERICS’ NUCLEAR Khomeinism is most definitely felt in Egypt POLICY through the clerics’ financial, material and f The second salient question, given the moral support for the Egyptian religious above discussion regarding the excessive radicals. The fall of the Egyptian Govern- TRIBUTE TO DICK REINERS level of rearmament effort, is, who, what and ment would be a world-wide political event, Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, today where are the targets of the arms build-up. If and would pose a grave threat to the security I want to take a moment to commemo- one surveys the current Middle Eastern po- of Israel and Saudi Arabia, and, most likely, rate the long and distinguished life of litical, relgious and social environment, it would destabilize Jordan and Lebanon. The my dear friend, Richard H. Reiners, an becomes evident that there is an array of dif- military assets of Egypt in the hands of radi- ferences that are not in accord with the cler- cal extremists is difficult to contemplate for outstanding American, who passed ics’ concept of religious ‘‘fundamentalism’’ the United States and its Allies; for Iran, it away earlier this year. and its attendant political and social ways of would be a bounty worth all its effort and Dick Reiners was born September 24, life. These range from Israel’s inherent cost. 1907, on a small farm east of Lennox, S 5096 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 4, 1995 SD, and passed away on January 15, ernor, has written an eloquent tribute lief Council and later, when Hoover was 1995, at his rural home north of Wor- to this extraordinary son of Massachu- named U.S. Secretary of Commerce in 1921, thing, SD. Throughout his life he was setts, and I ask unanimous consent his personal assistant. dedicated to his family, his commu- that it may be printed in the RECORD. On a personal level, the jovial, modest Her- nity, and the land on which he lived. There being no objection, the tribute ter, who frequently assuaged his arthritic back pain with bufferin and a cigarette, nev- As a father and husband, Dick epito- was ordered to be printed in the ertheless was a fisherman, boatsman, gen- mized the term, family values. He was RECORD, as follows: tleman farmer, breeder of golden retrievers faithful, honest, and loyal, and he CENTENNIAL OF CHRIS HERTER and an expert bridge player. He was one of passed those values onto his children (By Emanuel Goldberg) the Boston Red Sox’s greatest fans and rev- and grandchildren. He was one of the Commonwealth’s most eled in the Governor’s prerogative of throw- As a member of the community, Dick highly regarded and distinguished public ing out the first baseball of the season. One was constantly active in improving the servants, on a tri-level of state, national and scheduled April opening day, when it actu- quality of people’s lives. He served on international affairs, yet if you questioned ally snowed in Boston, causing the game to numerous boards, including his church, people today—senior citizens possibly ex- be cancelled, this frustrated Governor inten- his children’s school district, the cepted—I doubt if one in 10 could lucidly re- tionally messed up a preplanned photo as- call Christian A. Herter of Millis and Man- Farmers Home Administration, and the signment by heaving a huge snowball at (and chester. hitting) this writer, who was supposedly su- South Dakota Farmers Union. He was Last March 28, 1995 was the 100th anniver- pervising a substitute news picture. My also actively involved in politics and sary of Chris Herter’s birth, actually in Paris recollection is that simultaneously a distin- labored tirelessly for the people he be- where his artist parents lived abroad. Twice guished, newly-formed Educational TV Com- lieved in. he became not only a serious presidential mission was just entering the Governor’s of- As a farmer, Dick held a reverence prospect when ‘‘Dump Nixon’’ drives were fice—and its VIP members were quite per- for the land and its capacity for pro- surfacing but, in Massachusetts, served as plexed to encounter an embarrassed, snow- duction. He was a hard worker and an Governor and Speaker of the House and, in covered young assistant and a hilariously- eternal optimist. Washington, as an outstanding Congressman, roaring chief executive. Secretary of State in the Eisenhower admin- Actually, Herter was very considerate Dick spoke his mind. He never gave istration and the first U.S. Trade Negotiator up. He was always a kind and thought- about his staff’s welfare. He was capable, for both Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. even when busy, of phoning the switchboard ful man. There is a state scholarship fund in his operator to inquire about her cold. On one During my travels as a U.S. Senator, name—rarely publicized because his family occasion, long after he’d left the Governor’s I am constantly humbled by the people rejected a brick and mortar memorial and office. Herter traveled from Washington to of my State—people like Dick Reiners preferred practical direct help to needy stu- help a former staff state trooper, who’d and the basic principles by which they dents. Thanks to former MDC Commissioner encounterd some job difficulty in Boston. live their lives: a love of family, an ob- John W. Sears, there is also a public park, Testament to his wide popularity on both ligation to community service, and a near Harvard Stadium (Herter’s alma sides of the political aisle, when the Under- mater), named for him. Also an academic strong commitment to an honest day’s secretary Chris Herter was nominated by chair in international relations at Brandeis President Eisenhower to succeed John Fos- work. Those who knew Dick Reiners and Herter Hall at U. Mass-Amherst. learned much from him, and I am hon- ter Dulles as U.S. Secretary of State, the The 1952 gubernatorial election was memo- Senate on April 21, 1959, approved the ap- ored to say that he was my friend. He rable when underdog Herter in a close elec- pointment in 4 hours and 13 minutes. The tion, defeated by 14,500 votes the powerful will not be forgotten. Senate had suspended its usual confirmation Democratic incumbent Paul A. Dever. The f rule of requiring a minimum of seven days. major campaign issue revolved about Dever’s Family-wise, Herter’s father, Albert, an outgoing public works commissioner, Bill CENTENNIAL OF THE BIRTH OF internationally renowned artist, created the Callahan, whose heralded highway program CHRISTIAN A. HERTER huge murals now hanging in the Massachu- was attacked by Republicans as the most setts House of Representatives. His older Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, March costly in the nation, as well as two and a brother, Everit, was killed by German shrap- 28, 1995, marked the 100th anniversary half times more than the next highest state. nel in World War I. He married the former of the birth of Christian A. Herter, one The Herter program for Massachusetts was Mary Caroline Pratt, granddaughter of one of Massachusetts’ and the Nation’s highly and quickly successful because in just of Standard Oil’s founders, for whom a me- one year after taking office, the new admin- most respected leaders and public offi- morial garden as been affectionately dedi- cials in this century. istration got through most of its legislative program and also a 25 percent tax reduction cated in the MDC’s Herter Park. After a distinguished early career in Chris and ‘‘Mac’’ Herter had four children; the Foreign Service, Chris Herter re- in earned income. TIME put Herter on its magazine cover; also labeled him ‘‘to mil- Chirstian A. Herter Jr., now teaching at the turned to Massachusetts and was elect- lions, a hero’’ (1/18/54). That year he was the Hopkins School, who also once served in the ed to the State legislature in 1930 at only U.S. governor to produce such dramatic Massachusetts legislature; Dr. Frederic P. the age of 35. In the next 6 year, he rose tax savings. Herter, a prominent physician at New York’s to become speaker of the house, and 4 In the late 1940’s, while a Congressman, Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital (medicine years later, he was elected to the Herter chaired a 19-member delegation that has also been a long family tradition for an uncle, also named Christian Herter, founded House of Representatives, where he toured 18 foreign countries to lay the founda- tions for the Marshall Plan. He later won the the College of Physicians and Surgeons in played an influential role in making New York, while a young student named the Marshall plan a reality. 1948 Collier’s Magazine award as the out- standing Congressman for that historic un- Jonas Salk was helped through his doctoral In 1952, the same year President Ken- dertaking. Ironically, then Congressman training via a Herter scholarship); E. Miles nedy was elected to the U.S. Senate, Richard M. Nixon served on Herter’s diligent Herter of Manchester, prominent for years in Chris Herter was elected Governor of and highly productive committee. The gener- the Boston financial community, and Mrs. Massachusetts. After serving two ous Collier’s prize money was later donated Joseph (Adele) Seronde, wife of a pathologist terms, he accepted the position of by Herter to Washington’s Johns Hopkins and a widely admired artist now residing in Under Secretary of State under John School for Advanced International Studies, Arizona. She, collaborating with Kathy an institution he was a prime mover in Kane, was responsible for bringing Foster Dulles in the Eisenhower ad- ‘‘Summerthing’’ to Boston and also originat- ministration, and succeeded Dulles as founding. The awkward 6′ 5″ angularity of Chris Her- ing the outdoor murals that are now emu- Secretary of State in 1959. President ter caused his military rejection in 1917 (he lated throughout the nation. Kennedy thought so highly of him that later suffered from severe arthritis) but Chris Herter, boots on at 71, was victim of he appointed him to be U.S. Special catapulted him at once into public service. a heart attack on December 30, 1966, while Trade Representative in 1961, and the He served President Wilson at the Versailles still U.S. Trade Negotiator. Ironically, a day GATT Agreement still stands as one of Peace Conference, in 1918–1919, as Secretary before his passing, Herter, an ardent pro- his greatest monuments. of the American Peace Commission. Follow- ponent of free trade, was cheered by news Christian Herter was admired and re- ing an attache´ post in Germany’s American that Britain was lifting tariff restrictions among the European Free Trade Association. spected by leaders and citizens alike in Embassy, he found himself, at age 22, operat- ing the American legation in Brussels. Though William F. Buckley, Jr. and Chris Massachusetts, America, and through- Thence commenced a close association Herter (a GOP Young Turk type) were prob- out the world. On this occasion of the with Herbert Hoover—Herter becoming at ably at opposite ends of the Republican spec- centennial of his birth, Emanuel Gold- first the future President’s principal assist- trum, I know of no-one who more precisely berg, who served on his staff as Gov- ant as executive secretary of the Europe Re- summarized Herter’s essence than this noted