I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 334 
To provide for the appointment of a high-level United States representative 
or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normal-
izing relations between the United States and Iran. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 8, 2009 
Ms. LEE of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To provide for the appointment of a high-level United States 
representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose 
of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the 
United States and Iran. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Iran Diplomatic Ac-
countability Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) On December 3, 2007, the National Intel-
ligence Estimate, representing the consensus view of 
16 intelligence agencies, concluded that Iran had 
once had a covert nuclear weapons program. 
(2) The National Intelligence Estimate also 
found that Iran had halted its covert nuclear weap-
ons program in 2003 and that this program remains 
frozen. 
(3) The NIE concluded that Iran’s leadership 
was quite sensitive to international views and wanted 
to avoid international confrontation and made a 
‘‘cost-benefit’’ decision regarding whether or not to 
have such a program. 
(4) Serious concerns still remain about the Gov-
ernment of Iran’s intentions and behavior with re-
spect to the development of nuclear weapons, espe-
cially regarding its fuel enrichment program and the 
speed with which it might reconstitute its suspended 
nuclear weapons program. 
(5) Hostile official rhetoric exacerbates tensions 
and reinforces misunderstandings and animus be-
tween the people of the United States and Iran. 
(6) The United States should enlist the support 
of all interested parties to the region, including the 
IAEA, to establish a program to ensure that Iran’s 
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nuclear weapons program is terminated perma-
nently, that its nuclear energy program is brought 
fully under IAEA inspection and control, and that 
all diplomatic tools are utilized to achieve these ob-
jectives. 
(7) A diplomatic solution that includes direct, 
unconditional, bilateral, and comprehensive talks 
with the Government of Iran is the only way to re-
solve long-standing tensions between the United 
States and Iran. 
SEC. 3. APPOINTMENT OF HIGH-LEVEL U.S. REPRESENTA-
TIVE OR SPECIAL ENVOY. 
(a) APPOINTMENT.—At the earliest possible date, the 
President shall appoint a high-level United States rep-
resentative or special envoy for Iran. 
(b) CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT.—The President 
shall appoint an individual under subsection (a) on the 
basis of the individual’s knowledge and understanding of 
the issues regarding Iran’s nuclear program, experience 
in conducting international negotiations, and ability to 
conduct negotiations under subsection (c) with the respect 
and trust of the parties involved in the negotiations. 
(c) DUTIES.—The high-level United States represent-
ative or special envoy for Iran shall— 
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(1) seek to conduct direct, unconditional, bilat-
eral negotiations with Iran for the purpose of easing 
tensions and normalizing relations between the 
United States and Iran; 
(2) consult with other countries and inter-
national organizations, including countries in the re-
gion, where appropriate and when necessary to 
achieve the purpose set forth in paragraph (1); 
(3) act as liaison with United States and inter-
national intelligence agencies where appropriate and 
when necessary to achieve the purpose set for in 
paragraph (1); and 
(4) ensure that the bilateral negotiations under 
paragraph (1) complement the ongoing international 
negotiations with Iran. 
SEC. 4. OFFICE OF HIGH-LEVEL U.S. REPRESENTATIVE OR 
SPECIAL ENVOY. 
Not later than 30 days after the appointment of a 
high-level United States representative or special envoy 
under section 3(a), the Secretary of State shall establish 
in the Department of State an office for the purpose of 
supporting the work of the representative or special envoy. 
SEC. 5. REPORTING TO CONGRESS. 
(a) REPORTS.—Not later than 60 days after the 
high-level United States representative or special envoy for 
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