June 5, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5963 While it can do much more, China has The text of the resolution is as fol- ance, and urban planning projects that were taken some steps to alleviate the suffering in lows: undertaken openly and with the knowledge of the Iranian Government; Darfur. Last November, China helped nego- H. RES. 430 Whereas on May 31, 2007, a State Depart- tiate the agreement at Addis Abba which Whereas Haleh Esfandiari, Ph.D., holds ment spokesman announced that California called for the deployment of a joint United Na- dual citizenship in the United States and businessman Ali Shakeri, who holds dual tions/African Union peacekeeping force. In Iran; citizenship in the United States and Iran, May, China appointed a Special Envoy to Whereas Dr. Esfandiari taught Persian lan- had been arrested approximately ten days guage and literature for many years at Sudan and pledged $5.1 million in humani- earlier; Princeton University, where she inspired un- Whereas Mr. Shakeri serves on the board of tarian aid to Darfur. Yet these positive steps told numbers of students to study the rich University of California at Irvine’s Center are far outweighed by China’s continuing sup- Persian language and culture; for Citizen Peacebuilding, a research institu- port for the genocidal regime in Khartoum. Whereas Dr. Esfandiari is a resident of the tion that seeks to promote reconciliation Unless China acts to pressure the Khartoum State of Maryland and the Director of the and sustainable peace in areas of inter- Middle East Program at the Woodrow Wilson government into accepting a U.N. peace- national conflict; International Center for Scholars in Wash- keeping force, China risks having the 2008 Whereas Mr. Shakeri’s arrest occurred as ington, D.C. (referred to in this preamble as Beijing Olympics forever known as the geno- he sought to leave the country after having the ‘‘Wilson Center’’); cide Olympics. China must condemn the vio- Whereas, for the past decade, Dr. visited his ill mother, who passed away dur- lence taking place in Darfur, halt all military Esfandiari has traveled to Iran twice a year ing his stay; arms sales to Sudan, and suspend economic to visit her ailing now-93-year-old mother; Whereas reports indicate that a fifth dual ties to Sudan until the Government of Sudan Whereas, in December 2006, on her return American-Iranian citizen, who has thus far stops attacking civilians, complies with U.N. to the airport during her last visit to Iran, remained anonymous, has also been impris- oned unjustly by Iranian authorities; Security Council resolutions, and enters into Dr. Esfandiari was robbed by three masked, knife-wielding men, who stole her travel doc- Whereas the Iranian Government has yet peace negotiations with rebel groups. to produce evidence of wrongdoing by any of As China rises as a power in the 21st cen- uments, luggage, and other effects; Whereas, when Dr. Esfandiari attempted to these individuals to justify its actions to- tury, it must realize that with its increased obtain replacement travel documents in ward them; and power comes a greater responsibility to take Iran, she was summoned to an interview by Whereas Dr. Esfandiari, Ms. Azima, and action to stop genocide. Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence; Mr. Tajbakhsh have been charged with espio- Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Whereas Dr. Esfandiari was interrogated nage and, if convicted, face execution: Now, voice my support for H. Res. 422, which calls by the Ministry of Intelligence for seven to therefore, be it eight hours per day; Resolved, That Iran should immediately on the Government of the People’s Republic and unconditionally release dual Iranian- of China to use its unique influence and eco- Whereas the questioning by the Ministry of Intelligence focused on the Middle East Pro- American citizens Dr. Haleh Esfandiari, Ms. nomic leverage to stop the genocide and vio- gram at the Wilson Center; Parnaz Azima, Mr. Kian Tajbakhsh, Mr. Ali lence in Darfur. Whereas Dr. Esfandiari answered all ques- Shakeri, and a fifth unnamed individual also The world must be united in its call for an tions to the best of her ability, and the Wil- being detained against his will, replace their end to genocide. As China seeks to enter onto son Center also provided extensive informa- lost travel documents, cease its tactics of the world stage as a global economic and dip- tion to the Ministry in a good faith effort to harassment, and permit them to leave Iran. lomatic power, the government must assume aid Dr. Esfandiari; Amend the title so as to read: A resolu- Whereas Lee Hamilton, former United tion ‘‘calling for Iran to immediately release the responsibility, as well as the benefits that five dual Iranian-American citizens cur- accompany this distinction. States Representative and president of the Wilson Center, has written to Iranian leader rently being held unjustly.’’. China must use its close economic and mili- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to call his attention The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tary ties and advise the Sudanese government to Dr. Esfandiari’s dire situation; ant to the rule, the gentleman from that genocide is very bad for business. Con- Whereas Mr. Hamilton repeated that the Tennessee (Mr. TANNER) and the gen- gress and the world are watching. It is impera- Wilson Center’s mission is to provide forums tlewoman from Florida (Ms. ROS- tive that China uses its power in a responsible to exchange views and opinions and not to LEHTINEN) each will control 20 minutes. manner and help bring a change to this trou- take positions on issues, nor try to influence The Chair recognizes the gentleman bled region. specific outcomes; from Tennessee. Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield Whereas the lengthy interrogations of Dr. back the balance of my time. Esfandiari by the Ministry of Intelligence of GENERAL LEAVE Iran stopped on February 14, 2007, but she The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask heard nothing for ten weeks and was denied unanimous consent that all Members question is on the motion offered by her passport; the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Whereas, on May 7, 2007, Dr. Esfandiari was may have 5 legislative days to revise TANNER) that the House suspend the summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence and extend their remarks and include rules and agree to the resolution, H. and taken immediately to Evin prison, where extraneous material on the resolution Res. 422. she was arrested and is currently being held; under consideration. The question was taken. Whereas Iran’s Intelligence Ministry has The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the implicated Dr. Esfandiari and the Wilson objection to the request of the gen- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Center in advancing what it alleges is the tleman from Tennessee? United States Government’s aim of a ‘‘soft in the affirmative, the ayes have it. There was no objection. revolution’’ in Iran; Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I Whereas Parnaz Azima holds dual citizen- demand the yeas and nays. ship in the United States and Iran; support of this resolution and yield The yeas and nays were ordered. Whereas Ms. Azima is a journalist for myself as much time as I may con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Radio Farda; sume. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Whereas the Iranian Government con- Mr. Speaker, just a few short months Chair’s prior announcement, further fiscated the passport of Ms. Azima when she ago, a remarkably accomplished Ira- proceedings on this question will be arrived in Iran to visit her ill mother in Jan- nian American woman, Dr. Haleh uary of 2007; postponed. Esfandiari, made a decision that any of Whereas the Iranian authorities have in- us would make under a similar cir- f terrogated Ms. Azima on multiple occasions; cumstance. Her 93-year-old mother was CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT Whereas Ms. Azima’s attorney was told in April 2007 that she would be detained in Iran failing and she needed to visit her in OF IRAN TO RELEASE DR. for at least two years or more; Tehran without delay. She boarded a HALEH ESFANDIARI Whereas social scientist Kian Tajbakhsh flight to Iran, completely unsuspecting Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to was arrested in mid-May by Iranian security of what would unfold. suspend the rules and agree to the reso- officials while consulting for the Open Soci- After a visit with her ailing mother, lution (H. Res. 430) calling on the Gov- ety Institute, which runs humanitarian pro- Dr. Esfandiari reached the Tehran air- ernment of the Islamic Republic of grams in Iran; port. As one of the leading Middle East Whereas Mr. Tajbakhsh holds dual citizen- Iran to immediately release Dr. Haleh ship in the United States and Iran; scholars in the United States at the Esfandiari, as amended. Whereas Mr. Tajbakhsh was retained by highly respected Woodrow Wilson Insti- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- the Open Society Institute as a consultant to tute, she had no reason to believe she tion. facilitate public health, humanitarian assist- was about to encounter trouble. But on

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:18 Jul 28, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~3\2007NE~2\H05JN7.REC H05JN7 mmaher on PROD1PC70 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H5964 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 5, 2007 her way to the airport, she was at- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I tacked by plain-clothed, knife-wielding my time. thank my colleague from Tennessee thugs and her passport was stolen. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I (Mr. TANNER) for his leadership on the This was only the beginning of her yield myself such time as I may con- Foreign Affairs Committee and for our nightmare. Iranian authorities refused sume. national security interests around the to grant her a new passport. She was Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support world, and I thank the chairman of the interrogated and put under house ar- of House Resolution 430, which decries committee, Mr. LANTOS, and the rank- rest. She was told she would not return the unlawful imprisonment of dual ing member, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, for to the United States. And the ordeal U.S.-Iranian citizens by the regime in their bipartisan support in sending a grew worse. Dr. Esfandiari, a slender Tehran. As this resolution illustrates, strong message to the government of woman of 67 years, has been detained Iranian intelligence officials have un- Iran that their actions are absolutely without just cause ever since, under lawfully detained, interrogated and im- unacceptable and to pass this legisla- the outlandish pretense of being an prisoned numerous dual U.S.-Iranian tion to immediately and uncondition- enemy of Iran. And, ominously, late citizens, in particular Dr. Haleh ally release the Americans of Iranian last month she was formally charged Esfandiari, who works for the Woodrow descent that are being held by the gov- with espionage. Wilson International Center for Schol- ernment of Iran. She now sits in Iran’s notorious Evin ars. It was on May 30 of 2007, just a few Prison. She has been allowed to make The Iranian government incarcerated weeks ago, the day after Washington but a few painfully brief phone calls to Dr. Esfandiari in Evin Prison in Tehran and Tehran held their high profile her family. She has been interrogated on May 9 of this year. However, as I talks with respect to Iraq that Iran at excruciating length. At the height of noted, this is not an isolated incident turned around and charged three Ira- absurdity, she has been pressured to by any means. The Iranian government nian Americans, one academic, Haleh acknowledge participation in some also confiscated the passport of Radio Esfandiari, a social scientist, Kian Farda journalist Parnaz Azima, an kind of alleged coup against the Ira- Tajbakhsh, and a journalist, Parnaz American citizen, when she arrived in nian government. This type of effort at Azima, with spying, a charge which Iran to visit her ill mother in January forced confession is beyond absurd. It under Iran’s Islamic law is punishable earlier this year. goes to the heart of the injustice of the by death. Iranian government officials have in- These trumped up charges are abso- Iranian regime. terrogated Ms. Azima and pressured Despite quiet initiatives of diplo- lutely ridiculous. Haleh Esfandiari is a her to collaborate with Iranian intel- constituent of mine. She lives in Be- macy undertaken by many countries, ligence. Iran has also imprisoned a con- thesda, Maryland. She is a 67-year-old organizations, and individuals on Dr. sultant for the Open Society Institute Director of the Middle East program at Esfandiari’s behalf and frustrated by and a fourth American citizen who has the Woodrow Wilson International Cen- her audacious commitment to the chosen to remain anonymous and who ter for Scholars. Kian Tajbakhsh is a truth, the Iranian security services has been unlawfully detained in Iran respected social scientist who is con- have done what they know best, and for 6 months. sulted by George Soros’ Open Society that is arrest without cause. Mr. Speaker, this cannot stand. The Institute at the World Bank, and In discussing Dr. Esfandiari’s case, Iranian government’s recent actions Parnaz Azima is a Radio Farda jour- news articles have also cited at least are particularly egregious in light of nalist. four other cases of dual Iranian Amer- that regime’s past involvement in the The government of Iran accused ican citizens deplorably being detained killing of Americans and its past in- these Iranian Americans of endan- in Iran for no justifiable reason. It is citement and support of the taking of gering state security and fomenting a, particularly worrisome that two of 66 American citizens hostages at the quote, soft revolution. These are ridic- these detainees, like Dr. Esfandiari, U.S. embassy in Tehran on February 4, ulous charges under any circumstances have now been charged with espionage. 1979, with 52 of those Americans held in and clearly an excuse by Iran to once b 1645 captivity for 444 days. again take action in violation of inter- In response, we must remain resolute Oddly enough, what all of these five national law. in our condemnation of the Iranian re- Just to emphasize the point, Ms. seem to have in common is a commit- gime for detaining innocent American Esfandiari is someone who has invited ment to U.S.-Iranian engagement. The citizens for political purposes and de- scholars and statesmen from Iran to government of Iran has unjustly de- mand that the Iranian regime imme- the United States to conferences and tained five American citizens without diately and unconditionally permit all events and has even been criticized by due legal process. And Mr. VAN American citizens detained in Iran some members of the Iranian American HOLLEN’s resolution today aptly ex- against their will to leave. community for being too soft on the presses the serious concern we have on These threatening actions by the Ira- current regime in Tehran. Mr. their behalf and our justifiable demand nian regime come amidst Tehran’s on- Tajbakhsh has consulted directly for that they be released without delay. going support for Islamic militants in the Iranian government and, working These outrageous arrests are indicative Iraq that are killing Iraqis and Ameri- with the Open Society Institute, helped of the blatant excesses and obvious cans alike, its arming and support for run its humanitarian health outreach shortcomings of the Iranian political Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in program in Iran with full cooperation system, too much tyranny and too lit- Gaza and its continued pursuit of nu- of the Iranian government. tle rule of law. This is a matter of basic clear capability in contempt of inter- The lists of foreign detainees doesn’t human rights, and we cannot allow the national demands that it suspend its stop there. Iranian American business- Iranian government to continue tram- enrichment activities. I therefore be- man Ali Shakeri, who is on the board pling on the fundamental liberties of lieve that the United States should of the University of California at our citizens in this manner. suspend all contact with any agent, in- Irvine’s Center for Citizen Ten Iranian parliamentarians have strumentality or representative of the Peacebuilding, was arrested on May 8 recently formed a Parliamentarian Iranian regime until Americans held as he returned to the United States American friendship group. I call on hostage by Iran are released and other from visiting his ill mother, who died these parliamentarians and all Iranians issues critical to the United States are during his stay. of good will, all people of good will, to addressed. These detainees have dedicated their use whatever influence they have to I strongly urge my colleagues to sup- lives to building bridges between the help bring about the immediate release port this resolution. Americans and the people of Iran. of all American citizens in Iran who Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Their presence in Iran to visit their are held so unjustly and against their my time. parents or to conduct humanitarian will. Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I am work poses absolutely no threat to the I commend my friend and colleague pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gen- people or the government of Iran. from Maryland (Mr. VAN HOLLEN) for tleman from Maryland (Mr. VAN Their detention is a gross perversion introducing this important measure. HOLLEN), the author of the resolution. of the rule of law. And the claim that

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The Her arrest and detention has angered ana- government to do as they say they United States government has called for her lysts, human rights groups and lawmakers want to do, which is to have a better immediate release. throughout the world. Yet still, the Iranian re- relationship with the United States Unfortunately, Dr. Esfandiari is only one of gime refuses to release her, claiming she is a and the people of the United States and a number of American citizens who have re- spy who was plotting to overthrow the Iranian to immediately, unconditionally re- cently been detained in Iran without adequate government. lease these Americans. legal grounds. Another case involved a jour- I would like to submit a statement issued Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I nalist for Radio Farda, who was courageously from the Woodrow Wilson Center for Inter- rise today in strong support of H. Res. 430. involved in the effort to bring free and open national Scholars on May 21, 2007 for the This resolution calls on the government of media to the Iranian people. These out- record. Iran to release Dr. Haleh Esfandiari, who is rageous arrests are indicative of the Iranian Mr. Speaker, these charges are a farce. being held captive in Evin prison, despite the political system, including the concentration of Professor Esfandiari is an accomplished schol- Ministry of Intelligence offering no evidence of power and the lack of rule of law. ar of Persian literature, language and history wrongdoing. Another American missing in Iran, former who taught at Princeton University before be- Dr. Esfandiari is a respected member of FBI agent Robert Levinson, disappeared after coming the Director of the Woodrow Wilson academia, holding the position of director of flying to Iran’s Kish Island in March. I call on Center for International Scholars Middle East the Middle East Program at the Woodrow Wil- the Iranian government to use all the powers Program. Her husband, Mr. Shaul Bakhash, is son Center for International Scholars, having at its disposal to locate Mr. Levinson, if it has a professor at George Mason University of previously taught Persian language and lit- not already done so, and to repatriate him. Fairfax, VA. The Woodrow Wilson Center is a erature at Princeton University. Mr. Speaker, I believe this is an issue of non-profit, non-partisan organization whose While visiting her ailing 93-year-old mother basic human rights. We as a Congress, and work is to research and foster dialogue within in Iran, Dr. Esfandiari was held up at we as a nation, cannot allow the Iranian gov- the scholarly world on current and future pub- knifepoint; her travel documents and luggage ernment to continue trampling on the funda- lic policy issues. were taken in the process. It was while at- mental liberties of our citizens in this manner. Dr. Esfandiari’s tireless dedication to teach- tempting to procure subsequent documents Therefore, I rise in strong support of this reso- ing and advocating on behalf of Iran is clear. that Dr. Esfandiari was taken into custody by lution, calling for the unconditional release of She has focused on building bridges and the Ministry of Intelligence in Iran. these three American citizens unjustly being opening doors for peace in the Middle East. Dr. Esfandiari is not the only American held in Iranian prisons, and I call upon all of taken prisoner in Iran under the guise of being my colleagues to do likewise. She has sought to facilitate and strengthen a ‘‘spy.’’ With U.S. and Iranian diplomatic rela- Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I Iranian-American relations through numerous tions resuming again after 25 years, it is im- rise today in support of H. Res. 430, which seminars, lectures and workshops with edu- portant that the United States remain vigilant calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to imme- cators, policymakers and groups from both in opposing these unconscionable tactics em- diately release Dr. Haleh Esfandiari. countries and has pressed wider freedoms to ployed by the Iranian Government toward Dr. Haleh Esfandiari, a highly respected communicate about our common bonds and United States citizens abroad. member of the Washington, DC and Maryland negotiate over our disagreements. This resolution is a strong first step in stand- communities, is currently serving as the Direc- Like thousands of other Iranians living ing up for the safety of all American citizens tor of the Middle East Program at the Wood- abroad, Professor Esfandiari is an academic traveling abroad. No American should ever be row Wilson International Center for Scholars. who took a personal trip to see her family. If deprived of their liberty simply because they In December, she traveled to Iran to visit her she as one individual scholar threatens this re- crossed the safe haven of U.S. borders. ailing mother, something that she has done gime so much that they have to interrogate I encourage my colleagues to support this countless times before. On her return to the her for almost five months and detain her in a resolution. airport, her travel documents and personal ef- notorious prison cell known for human rights Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, fects were taken from her. When she at- abuses, then one has to assume this regime I rise in strong support of the H.R. 430, intro- tempted to obtain replacement travel docu- is desperate to retain whatever control it can. duced by my esteemed colleague Mr. VAN ments in Iran, she was instead subjected to Today, the Iranian leadership’s lack of cour- HOLLEN of Maryland, calling for the immediate days upon days of interrogation and essen- age and conscience is as clear as it is dis- and unconditional release of dual Iranian- tially placed under house arrest for several appointing. American citizens Dr. Haleh Esfandiari, Ms. months. It is evident that this regime is criminalizing Parnaz Azima, and a third unnamed individual Last month, Dr. Esfandiari was summoned scholarly work of any kind, despite the fact also being detained against her will. Mr. by the government and was taken to the infa- that Iran’s very own history is filled with cen- Speaker, these three Americans have been mous Evin prison, where she is currently turies of scholarly research and discovery. unjustly incarcerated without due legal proc- being held. She has been accused by the Ira- This regime’s egregious decision to imprison ess. They have had their travel documents nian Intelligence Ministry of trying to set up Dr. Esfandiari reflects a deepening departure stolen, and they have been subjected to tac- networks of Iranians to start a revolution to from the values and ideals the Iranian people tics of harassment. I strongly support this leg- bring down the government. In fact, she has have historically prided themselves on. islation, which expresses the serious concerns long advocated for building bridges between Iran’s renowned nationalist Prime Minister we have for these three individuals, and I urge the United States and the Middle East Mohammed Mossadegh once said ‘‘There is my colleagues to do so as well. Iran’s imprisonment of Dr. Esfandiari is en- no better way to govern Iran than democracy Dr. Haleh Esfandiari, one of the detained in- tirely baseless and shows a disregard for the and social justice!’’ dividuals, is head of the Middle East Program rule of law as well as the Iranian government’s Professor Esfandiari should be released im- at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Inter- continued claim that they would like to gain mediately. Every day she is so unjustly de- national Scholars and widely recognized as the world’s respect. We must demand Dr. tained, Iran proves the case of its detractors one of Washington’s top experts on Iran. Dr. Esfandiari and all other Americans that are and makes it all the more difficult for institu- Esfandiari was robbed of her passport upon being held without just cause be released by tions like Dr. Esfandiari’s Wilson Center to her arrival at Tehran airport in December of the Iranian government. treat the Iranian people with the respect that last year when she went to visit her ailing, 93- I urge all my colleagues to join us in support should be afforded to ah historic civilization year old mother. After being refused new doc- of this important resolution. and citizenship of 70 million people. uments, she was interrogated at excruciating Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on STATEMENT ON THE ARREST IN TEHRAN OF length by Iranian intelligence, and pressured December 30, 2006, Dr. Haleh Esfandiari, a ESFANDIARI, DIRECTOR OF THE WOODROW to make forced confessions that would falsely prominent Iranian-American scholar, was in WILSON CENTER’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAM implicate herself and the Wilson Center in try- Iran to visit her sick 93-year-old mother when Haleh Esfandiari, director of the Middle ing to launch a full-fledged coup in Iran. She she was stopped by the Iranian authorities. East Program at the Woodrow Wilson Inter- consistently refused to tarnish her good name What followed was nearly 5 months of a se- national Center for Scholars, and a dual Ira- or the reputations of her colleagues. ries of intense interrogations and pressure tac- nian-American national, was arrested in

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:18 Jul 28, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~3\2007NE~2\H05JN7.REC H05JN7 mmaher on PROD1PC70 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H5966 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 5, 2007 Tehran on May 8 and incarcerated in the ing with the U.S. and Israeli governments Res. 452) and ask for its immediate con- Evin Prison. and with involvement in efforts to topple sideration. The background to this entirely unjusti- Iran’s Islamic regime. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The fied arrest is as follows. Timeline of events: On May 15, Iranian judiciary spokesman Clerk will report the resolution. December 21, 2006, Haleh Esfandiari, direc- Ali Reza Jamshidi said that Dr. Esfandiari tor of the Middle East Program at the Wood- was being investigated for crimes against na- The Clerk read as follows: row Wilson International Center for Schol- tional security and that her case was being H. RES. 452 ars, and a dual Iranian-American national, handled by the Intelligence Ministry. Whereas, clause one of House rule XXIII traveled from Washington D.C. to Tehran, On May 15, Haleh made a brief telephone (Code of Official Conduct) states, ‘‘A Mem- Iran to visit her 93-year-old mother for one call to her mother. ber, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, offi- week. On May 16, Haleh’s family retained the cer or employee of the House shall conduct On December 30, 2006, on her way to the legal services of Nobel Peace Laureate himself at all times in a manner that shall airport to catch a flight back to Washington, Shirin Ebadi to represent her. reflect creditably on the House.’’; the taxi in which Dr. Esfandiari was riding On May 17, in an interview with Wash- Whereas, on June 4, 2007, the United States was stopped by three masked, knife-wielding ington Post Staff Writer Robin Wright, Department of Justice filed an indictment by men. They threatened to kill her, and they Shirin Ebadi indicated that the Iranian gov- a grand jury against the gentleman from took away all of her belongings, including ernment has rejected her request to rep- Louisiana, the Honorable William J. Jeffer- her Iranian and American passports. resent Dr. Esfandiari. She also noted the son, in the United States Court for the East- On January 3, when applying for replace- court refused information on the legal ern District of Virginia; ment Iranian travel documents at the pass- charges against Dr. Esfandiari, and denied Whereas, in the aforementioned indict- port office, Dr. Esfandiari was invited to an her legal team the ability to see Haleh. ment of Representative Jefferson, the grand ‘‘interview’’ by a man from Iran’s Ministry On May 21 state-run television broadcasts jury specifies sixteen counts, including but of Intelligence. in Iran indicated that Haleh is being charged not limited to Solicitation of Bribes by a Beginning on January 4, she was subjected with seeking to topple the government of the Public Official, Violation of the Foreign Cor- to a series of interrogations that stretched Islamic Republic of Iran. rupt Practices Act, Money Laundering, Ob- out over the next six weeks, sometimes con- Our efforts to obtain Haleh’s release will struction of Justice and Racketeering; tinuing for as many as four days a week, and continue and will be redoubled. She will be Whereas, in the aforementioned indict- sometimes stretching across seven and eight in our thoughts and prayers every day. ment, the grand jury alleges that Represent- hours in a single day. Dr. Esfandiari went Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ative Jefferson did knowingly engage in an home every evening, but the interrogations have no further requests for time, and unlawful conspiracy ‘‘to provide for the un- were unpleasant and not free from intimida- I yield back the balance of my time. just enrichment of Defendant Jefferson and tion and threat. Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I have no his family members by corruptly seeking, so- liciting, and directing that things of value be The questioning focused almost entirely on more requests for time, and I yield the activities and programs of the Middle paid to him and his family members in re- East Program at the Wilson Center. Dr. back the balance of my time. turn for Defendant Jefferson’s performance Esfandiari answered all questions fully; when The SPEAKER pro tempore. The of official acts’’; she could not remember details of programs question is on the motion offered by Whereas, in the aforementioned indict- stretching back five and even eight years, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. ment, the grand jury further alleges that the staff at the Wilson Center provided her TANNER) that the House suspend the ‘‘Defendant sought to and did conceal his all the information requested. As a public or- rules and agree to the resolution, H. and his family members’ expected or actual ganization, all Wilson Center activities are Res. 430, as amended. receipt of things of value by directing con- on the public record. Repeatedly during the The question was taken. gressional staff members, family members, interrogation, she was pressured to make a The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the and others to form nominee companies that entered into business agreements to receive false confession or to falsely implicate the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Wilson Center in activities in which it had things of value sought by Defendant Jeffer- no part, but she refused. in the affirmative, the ayes have it. son while not referencing him or disclosing On Friday, January 15, in the third week of Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I his involvement in obtaining the agree- interrogations, Dr. Esfandiari was told demand the yeas and nays. ments’’; (misleadingly as it turned out) the ques- The yeas and nays were ordered. Whereas, in the aforementioned indict- tioning was over. On January 18, the interro- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ment, the grand jury further alleges that gator and three other men showed up at Dr. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the ‘‘Defendant Jefferson failed to disclose his Esfandiari’s mother’s apartment. Dr. Chair’s prior announcement, further and his family’s financial interests in these Esfandiari was taking a nap and was startled proceedings on this question will be business ventures by omitting this material information from travel and financial disclo- to wake up and see the door to her bedroom postponed. open, her privacy violated, and three strange sure forms required to be filed by the Rules men, one of them wielding a video-camera, f of the House of Representatives and, in some staring into her bedroom. RECESS cases, by failing to make any of the required On February 14, the lengthy interrogations filings’’: stopped. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Whereas, in the aforementioned indict- On February 17, Haleh received one threat- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair ment, the grand jury further alleges that ening phone call, and then she did not hear declares the House in recess subject to ‘‘On or about July 30, 2005, in Arlington, Vir- anything from her interrogators for ten the call of the Chair. ginia, Defendant Jefferson received $100,000 weeks. Accordingly (at 4 o’clock and 55 min- in cash from [cooperating witness]’’ for use On February 20, Lee Hamilton, president utes p.m.), the House stood in recess in an illegal bribery scheme; and director of the Wilson Center, wrote to Whereas, in the aforementioned indict- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad subject to the call of the Chair. ment, the grand jury further alleges that asking that Dr. Esfandiari be allowed to f ‘‘On or before August 3, 2005, at his residence travel. However, President Ahmadinejad did b 1802 in Washington, DC, Defendant Jefferson se- not reply to the letter. creted in his freezer $90,000 of the $100,000 in At the end of April or early May, she was AFTER RECESS cash provided by [cooperating witness] as telephoned once again and invited to ‘‘co- The recess having expired, the House part of the front-end bribe to Nigerian Offi- operate.’’ In effect, she was being asked to cial A, which was separated into $10,000 in- make a confession. She refused to make the was called to order by the Speaker pro crements, wrapped in aluminum foil, and false statements. tempore (Mr. ROSS) at 6 o’clock and 2 concealed inside various frozen food con- On Monday, May 7 she was summoned to minutes p.m. tainers’’; the Ministry of Intelligence once again. f Whereas, on February 27, 2007 the House When she arrived for her appointment on Democratic Caucus unanimously approved Tuesday morning, May 8th, she was put into MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES the recommendation of House Democratic a car and taken to Evin prison. She was in- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to leaders that Representative Jefferson be carcerated and was allowed only one phone suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. elected to the Committee on Homeland Secu- call to her mother. 451. rity, a position in which he would have had On May 9 she called her mother asking her access to highly sensitive Top Secret infor- to bring her clean clothes and her medicine. f mation concerning national security mat- Her mother delivered the small package at QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF ters; Evin Prison on May 10, but was not allowed THE HOUSE Whereas, on June 5, 2007 Representative to see her. Jefferson resigned from the Committee on On May 12, the hard-line daily ‘‘Kayhan’’ Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I send Small Business to which he was elected by in an article accused Dr. Esfandiari of work- to the desk a privileged resolution (H. vote of the House on January 23, 2007;

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