Secret Arms Deal Between Russia and Iran Sparks Controversy in Washington

Strategic Insights -

A report published in The New York Times yesterday has sparked a firestorm of controversy in Washington, alleging that Russia has continued to deliver conventional arms to Iran in violation of a 1995 deal signed by Vice President Al Gore. The agreement, which was kept secret from Congress and the public, has been criticized by Republican lawmakers who claim it undermines American policy and fails to meet the requirements of the Gore-McCain law.

Key Takeaways:

  • The report alleges that Russia has failed to meet the deadline of 1999 to end all arms deliveries to Iran, as agreed upon in the Gore-Chernomyrdin deal.
  • Vice President Gore and Russian Prime Minister Viktor S. Chernomyrdin signed the secret agreement in 1995, exempting Russia from sanctions against nations that sell advanced weapons to countries that sponsor terrorism, including Iran.
  • The agreement was never fully disclosed to Congress or the public, and its terms were only made public in skeletal form after Congress had been briefed by State Department officials.
  • Russian has continued to sign new arms sales contracts with Iran since 1995, despite promises made to Vice President Gore and Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright to cease all deliveries.

The administration has defended the agreement, claiming that it has served United States interests by preventing Russia from signing new arms sales contracts with Iran. However, Republican lawmakers have sharply criticized the deal, suggesting that it undermines sanctions laws and fails to properly notify Congress of significant international agreements.

Statistics:

  • 1992: The Gore-McCain Act was passed, requiring sanctions against nations that sell advanced weapons to countries that sponsor terrorism.
  • 1995: Vice President Gore and Russian Prime Minister Viktor S. Chernomyrdin signed the secret Gore-Chernomyrdin agreement, exempting Russia from sanctions.
  • 1999: The deadline for the Gore-Chernomyrdin agreement to end all arms deliveries to Iran was missed.
  • 1995-present: Russia has continued to sign new arms sales contracts with Iran, despite promises made to Vice President Gore and Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright to cease all deliveries.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, "Russia Said to Deliver Arms to Iran in Violation of 1995 Agreement" (no date mentioned)
  • James E. Kennedy, Vice President's Communications Director (no title mentioned)
  • Senator John McCain, Senator of Arizona (no title mentioned)
  • Senator Trent Lott, Senator of Mississippi (no title mentioned)
  • Senator Jesse Helms, Senator of North Carolina (no title mentioned)
  • Representative Jim Leach, Representative of Iowa (no title mentioned)
  • Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., Senator of Delaware (no title mentioned)