In a file photo, Rep. Jared Polis discusses healthcare reform at a town hall meeting Sept. 4. Polis visited campus again Thursday. (CU Independent file/ Lauren Walter)
The next few months are critical to addressing the nuclear weapons program in Iran, Colorado Congressman Jared Polis said at a lecture on American nuclear policy in Iran.
Polis gave the lecture in Hellems 201 on Thursday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It was co-sponsored by IPAC, a bi-partisan student group in support of Israeli foreign affairs, and CU’s division of College Democrats.
Polis said that as the necessity for real sanctions looms ever closer, America’s ability to engage Europe, Russia and to a lesser extent, China in a collective stance against nuclear proliferation In Iran will set the stage for how all countries pursue nuclear technology.
“The best intelligence tells us that Iran is probably pursuing nuclear weapons. We know that they have nuclear power,” Polis said.
The general consensus is that if Iran chooses to use that power for weapons, then the rest of the world might have a problem, according to Polis. America is currently at the “carrot stage,” of persuasion in Iran, meaning that the U.S. welcomes Iran into the international community as long as its nuclear stockpile is only used for civilian power, he said.
However, Polis added that as the “carrot” is slowly exhausted, less friendly methods of persuasion will become necessary.
“Any successful strategy in Iran will start with Russia,” Polis said, “but we all need to be there.”
Without the participation of the world’s greatest powers, the sanctions on Iran, such as those on its gas and oil industry, will not affect it greatly enough to provoke change in its policy on nuclear compliance.
Lauren Kashuk, a senior advertising major and the president of IPAC, said that many people do not realize the “dire” situation that the nuclear program in Iran presents.
Kashuk said that it was important to have a congressman who deals with U.S. foreign affairs to come and spread awareness of the issue, adding that “the more I learn about it, the more scared I become.”
Legislation currently in the House of Representatives largely consists of symbolic sanctions, said Polis, however it is a step in the right direction. He said that most if not all of the legislation concerning sanctions would be passed with bipartisan support.
“The less countries that have nuclear weapons, the better,” said Polis, adding that the goal of Congress in American foreign policy is to a see a world free of any nuclear weapons.
“Personally, I’d like to see our nuclear base decrease as well,” Polis said.
Geoff Goodside, a 20-year-old junior political science major, said that he thought Polis was an” incredibly good” speaker, especially concerning the specifics he gave on the details of the situation in Iran.
“He said exactly what I wanted to hear,” Goodside said.
Zach Siegel, a 19-year-old sophomore international affairs and political science major, said that he was appreciative of the Congressman’s open invitation of questions, and his patience in answering them.
“It’s good that a talk goes on about this even though some of the issues could be really divisive,” Siegel said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Ana Romano at Analisa.romano@colorado.edu.
