US Legislators Ask Bush to Outline Iran Policy in State of Union Address

Voice of America:

It's not known if Iran will figure prominently in Wednesday's speech, but some members of Congress say he should tell the nation and the world on what his administration is doing to help rein in Iran's nuclear ambitions, and address Tehran's human rights issues.

In a roundtable news conference with radio journalists on Capitol Hill, Senate Democratic Minority Leader Harry Reid, renewed criticism Iran has been left on what he calls a back burner during the Bush administration.

"Our policy on Iran has been a non-policy," he said. "The negotiating regarding the nuclear facilities in Iran have been conducted by other countries. We have not been a player in that, and I think that is too bad. As important as Iran is to a settlement of the problems we have in the Middle East the president should personally be involved. Certainly we shouldn't leave this to other countries." ...

Another lawmaker was speaking about Iran. California Democrat Bob Filner calls U.S. policy on Iran contradictory.

"We have been going on this schyzophrenic policy of preparing for war perhaps, which I think is a dangerous situation, just in a military fashion we seem to be overstrained to our limits just with Iraq and Afghanistan, and to try an even more problematic situation would be difficult for our nation," he said. "On the other hand, the appeasement [of Iran's government] just gives aid and comfort to those in power [in Iran]." ...

A number of U.S. lawmakers support legislation that would place Congress on record in support of regime change in Iran. But others say doing so would be risky, favoring instead renewed U.S. efforts to persuade Europe, Russia and others to take a harder line toward Iran.