Source: – HYPERLINK http://santorum.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.View&ContentRecord_id=1761&CFID=29277283&CFTOKEN=11218090 http://santorum.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.View&ContentRecord_id=1761&CFID=29277283&CFTOKEN=11218090
Date: April 25, 2006

Senator Santorum Expresses Outrage Over U.N. Honoring Iranian Terrorism Supporter

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and sponsor of the Iran Freedom and Support Act, today made the following statement: 

“The United Nations Environment Program recently named Dr. Massoumeh Ebtekar - a translator, spokesperson, and supporter of the Iranian terrorists - as a ‘Champion of the Earth’ for environmental work. However, it has been reported that Dr. Ebtekar played a role in the 1979 American hostage situation in Tehran. I am concerned that the United Nations would give an award to a person who was involved in holding Americans hostage. Earlier this month, the U.N. made another disappointing choice by electing the Islamic Republic of Iran to serve as the Vice-Chair of the U.N. Disarmament Commission, a decision that was simply shocking considering Iran’s nuclear ambitions. 

“It is discouraging that the U.N. makes these choices as members of the U.N. Security Council are currently evaluating Iran’s nuclear program and making decisions that are important to the future of the United States and the rest of the world. Iran's behavior in areas such as nuclear energy, human rights and religious repression appears to not resonate with the U.N.” 

Senator Santorum introduced S. 333, the Iran Freedom and Support Act, which now has 55 bipartisan cosponsors. The legislation is a way to promote democracy inside Iran, and intends to foster the development of a democratic government in Iran that is not committed to developing nuclear weapons.