Is Russia with Us or with the Terrorists?
January 6, 2003

IRVINE, CA--The accord Russia signed two weeks ago to accelerate the construction of a nuclear reactor in Iran and supply it with nuclear fuel is a direct threat against the security of the United States, said David Holcberg, a senior writer for the Ayn Rand Institute.

"According to our State Department," Holcberg noted, "Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, financing, training and equipping terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad."

"Iran's claim that the reactor will be used for civilian purposes is absurd. Iran has more oil to generate electricity than it could possibly consume in the foreseeable future. Moreover," Holcberg pointed out, "Iran's intentions towards the United States, which it calls the 'Great Satan,' have been made clear by 23 years of chanting 'Death to America' in Iran's state-controlled mosques."

"With this accord with Iran, Putin is effectively arming one of our most dangerous enemies, and thus placing Russia on the side of the Iranian regime and against the United States. President Bush," Holcberg suggested, "must pressure Putin to kill this deal."

"If Putin is persuaded to cancel the accord with Iran, other countries will get the message that in this conflict one must take sides--and one better take the American side. It is time for the Russians and everybody else," Holcberg concluded, "to choose the side they're on. They are either with us or with the terrorists."