http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/sanctions/ en-us Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:36:08 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2044517/posts HARARE (AFP) - President Robert Mugabe's government was triumphant Saturday at the failure of a UN bid to impose fresh sanctions on Zimbabwe as Britain pledged to return to the Security Council if political violence continued. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown would discuss further measures with EU partners next week, a spokesman for the premier said in a statement. "We will continue to stand firmly for human rights and democracy and will return to the Security Council in the absence of early progress on mediation, humanitarian access and an end to violence," the statement added. Mugabe's government, meanwhile, thanked those... AFP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2044517/posts#comment Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:36:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2044120/posts http://www.un.org/webcast/ http://www.un.org/webcast/ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2044120/posts#comment Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:43:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2043281/posts French firm 'quits Iran gas deal' Total was reportedly the last major western energy firm interested in Iran The boss of French energy giant Total says he will not invest in Iran because it is too risky. The firm had been due to develop gas fields in the south of the country, but Christophe de Margerie told the Financial Times it would not go ahead. The announcement comes a day after Iran test-fired a series of missiles, amid weeks of rising tensions with Israel and the US over its nuclear ambitions. Analysts say the move will be a big... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2043281/posts#comment Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:14:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2043218/posts Protesters blockade Rep. Ackerman's houseboatBY JANIE LORBER | janie.lorber @newsday.com 9:31 AM EDT, July 9, 2008 WASHINGTON - A flotilla of peace protesters in canoes and rafts attempted to blockade the houseboat of Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Jamaica Estates) early Wednesday morning in reaction to legislation he submitted that would impose sanctions on Iran. The Queens Democrat emerged from his home on the Potomac River smiling and clapping after the demonstrators, known as Code Pink, had been chanting for nearly 30 minutes. They want Ackerman to withdraw the legislation because they believe it symbolizes the first step on a path to... Newsday http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2043218/posts#comment Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:02:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037231/posts YOU KNOW THE BUSH administration’s North Korea policy is fatally flawed when even Barack Obama, last heard pledging to meet with the world’s dictators “without preconditions,” judges it naïve. And yet, the presumptive Democratic nominee sounded all too sensible yesterday when he suggested that the Bush administration’s baffling decision to strike Pyongyang from the U.S. list of terrorism-sponsoring states and to lift trade sanctions against the tyrannical regime Cross Action News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037231/posts#comment Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:25:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036895/posts (CNSNews.com) - "We will trust you only to the extent that you fulfill your promises," President Bush warned North Korea on Thursday. The president announced at the White House that in response to North Korea meeting a key deadline to declare its nuclear activities, the United States will lift some trade sanctions against the communist state and rescind North Korea's designation as a state sponsor of terror. North Korea handed over a long-awaited declaration of its nuclear programs to Chinese officials on Thursday. President Bush noted that North Korea has begun disabling its nuclear facility at Yongbyon; and on Thursday,... CNSNews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036895/posts#comment Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:30:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036615/posts North Korean Nuclear: important announcement at 09H00 GMT, according to Beijing BEIJING - China has informed Thursday that an "important announcement" would be made during a press conference in Beijing at 09H00 GMT on the nuclear issue of North Korean. "There will be a press conference at 17H00 (09H00 GMT) with an important announcement," said the spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry Liu Jianchao. Asked about the nature of this announcement, he said it was an "important news about the six-party talks", adding that he was "not in a position to give details." North Korea has promised to surrender Thursday... AFP via translation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2036615/posts#comment Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:11:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035785/posts EU sanctions illegal, says Iran Iran is already under UN sanctions for its nuclear activities Iran has condemned as illegal new EU sanctions against Tehran over its uranium enrichment programme. A foreign ministry spokesman said the sanctions would make Iran more determined to obtain the technology. On Monday, the EU imposed an asset freeze on Iran's largest bank and added more names to a list of Iranians who are banned from travelling to the EU. The US and allies accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes. It is defying a demand from... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035785/posts#comment Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:14:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035184/posts The European Union has imposed new sanctions on Iran in an effort to halt the country's nuclear program. The European assets of a major Iranian bank are to be frozen and more restrictions may be on their way.Erik Seemann The EU froze the assets of Iran's biggest bank on Monday.The European Union stepped up its campaign against Iran's nuclear program on Monday, freezing the European assets of a major Iranian bank. At a meeting of European foreign ministers in Luxembourg, a new sanctions package was announced that included measures against Iran's biggest financial institution, Bank Melli. Bank Melli has been... Spiegel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035184/posts#comment Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:41:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035164/posts The European Union has agreed new financial sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran to halt uranium enrichment. The new measures freeze all assets of the Bank Melli, Iran's biggest bank, within the EU. Last week the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana offered new incentives to Tehran - but has not received a reply. Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful, but is defying a demand from the UN that it stop the enrichment of uranium. The UN Security Council approved a third round of sanctions against Iran over the issue in March 2008. Blacklist Western officials have accused Bank... BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035164/posts#comment Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:57:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032183/posts There were questions surrounding Gordon Brown when he became Great Britain's Prime Minister. Taking office with echoes of "lap dog" following his predecessor Tony Blair, many wondered just how committed Brown would be to the "Special Relationship" between the US and Great Britain and whether he would initiate a more independent course in foreign affairs. Brown may yet eschew supporting the US on many issues. But on increasing sanctions on Iran and sending additional troops to Afghanistan - two things the US devoutly wished Brown would accede to - the British Prime Minister has come through..... American Thinket http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2032183/posts#comment Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:24:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031836/posts LONDON, June 16--British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday announced plans for new sanctions against Iran and a small increase in troops for Afghanistan, handing President Bush a symbolic boost on the last day of his weeklong farewell trip to EuropeBrown, appearing with Bush at a 10 Downing Street news conference, said Britain and the European Union are expected to act this week to freeze the assets of Iran's largest bank, Bank Melli, in response to Tehran's refusal to suspend its uranium enrichment program. Bush has made Iran's uranium enrichment program a focus of his European swing, and has been... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031836/posts#comment Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:57:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030826/posts Tehran will today be offered the chance of international assistance to develop a peaceful nuclear energy programme if it halts uranium enrichment — or face punishing sanctions within a month. Javier Solana, the European Union chief, will deliver the message to Iranian leaders today as the head of a six-member international delegation of senior diplomats from Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. The “carrot and stick package” outlined by British officials this week offers Iran a range of incentives to begin negotiations but not until it has halted all Iranian enrichment. Officials acknowledge that the package differs little to that... Times Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030826/posts#comment Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:44:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028583/posts ON June 4, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presented her annual report on human trafficking for 2008, in which, for the sixth consecutive year, the United States government included Cuba among the countries it accuses of not making significant efforts to confront the alleged trafficking of women and children for the purpose of sexual exploitation, and described our country as a sexual tourism destination, among other serious and unfounded accusations. For the first time, the imperial power also decided to include in this report several recommendations to the Cuban government as to how to confront the phenomenon. At the... Cuba Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028583/posts#comment Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:24:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028393/posts The U.S. envoy to the EU said Washington was keen for the EU to act as quickly as possible. "We want to make sure they are going as fast as they can," C. Boyden Gray told reporters in Slovenia ahead of the summit. Western countries suspect Iran is seeking the ability to make nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its secretive program is purely aimed at generating energy. The U.N. Security Council passed a third sanctions resolution against Iran in April and Washington has pressed the EU to deny targeted Iranian banks access to the international financial system. EU diplomats had said... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028393/posts#comment Mon, 9 Jun 2008 18:02:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1344062/posts UN inspectors in Iraq spent their working hours drinking vodka while ignoring a shadowy nocturnal fleet believed to be smuggling goods for Saddam Hussein, a former senior inspector told the US Senate yesterday. In a move that provoked fury from officials of the Swiss firm Cotecna, an Australian former inspector detailed a picture of incompetence, indifference and drunkeness among the men acting as the frontline for UN sanctions. Arthur Ventham, a former Australian army officer and customs officer, joined the operation in 2002 and worked at various sites in Iraq and neighbouring states. He said that at Iskendurun in eastern... The Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1344062/posts#comment Wed, 16 Feb 2005 02:14:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2024975/posts For most of 2007, concerns about Iran grew louder. This situation changed dramatically in December, with the release of the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran's nuclear intentions and capabilities. The NIE, which assessed that Iran had ceased its covert weapons program in 2003, was widely interpreted to indicate that Iran was no longer a threat. As a result, questions were raised whether U.S.-led efforts to ratchet up financial pressure against Tehran, through both UN sanctions and unilateral measures, remained either necessary or viable. In reality, even if Iran no longer has an active covert nuclear weapons program, there would... The Washington Institute for Near East Policy http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2024975/posts#comment Mon, 2 Jun 2008 21:00:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2020868/posts DAMASCUS (AFP) - Syria will not accept preconditions over its resumed peace talks with Israel and will not compromise its relations with other states, the government daily Tishrin said on Saturday, referring to Iran. Damascus rejects all preconditions concerning its relations with other countries and peoples," it said after an Israeli call for Damascus to distance itself from Tehran, which has called for the destruction of the Jewish state. "Damascus will make no compromise on these relations," an editorial said. Israel and Syria announced on Wednesday they had launched indirect peace talks, with Turkey acting as go-between, after an eight-year... afp http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2020868/posts#comment Sat, 24 May 2008 22:46:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016611/posts WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States has warned Beijing over reported use of Chinese weapons by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the Asian giant's continued sale of arms to Iran, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said Thursday. He said he conveyed the concerns personally to Chinese officials during his visit to Beijing this week. "Just the other day, Monday, when I was in Beijing, this was one of the issues I raised -- concern about Chinese weapons or Chinese-designed weapons showing up in some of these battle areas, be it Iraq or Afghanistan," he told a... afp http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2016611/posts#comment Fri, 16 May 2008 00:50:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014344/posts An Iranian-born United States citizen was sentenced here yesterday in US District Court to two years in prison and six months of home confinement for illegaly exporting US military aircraft parts to Iran via associates in Germany and the United Arab Emirates. Reza Tabib, 52, of Irvine, CA, pleaded guilty in June 2006 to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which prohibits the export and re-export to Iran of certain items of US origin. The prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS). In... Canada Free Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2014344/posts#comment Sun, 11 May 2008 10:49:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009336/posts TEHRAN (AFP) - Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday declared Iran was "not afraid" of sanctions over its contested nuclear programme and would further step up its progress. ADVERTISEMENT "We are not afraid of Western sanctions," he told thousands of people in a speech in the southern city of Shiraz broadcast by state television. "The Iranian people, thanks to God, will resist in the face of sanctions and economic blockades and will further intensify their progress." Iran has been hit by three sets of UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear programme, mainly targeting its ballistic missile and atomic... afp http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2009336/posts#comment Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:03:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2005924/posts TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran's leading shipping company has said US sanctions against Tehran over its controversial nuclear programme have hurt the industry, the Aftab Yazd newspaper reported on Wednesday. "Currently, because of unfair UN sanctions and US pressure on foreign ships not to cooperate with Iranian-flagged ships, we cannot have our flag on all of our vessels," the head of Bonyad Shipping Company (BOSCO), Ali Safarali, was quoted as saying. Safarali said that the state shipping organisation receives a 10 percent ports duty from Iranian ships that sail under foreign flags. This puts the industry under double pressure -- both... Iran Focus http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2005924/posts#comment Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:48:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001599/posts Analysis: How Iranians are Avoiding Sanctions April 14, 2008 The Financial Times Anna Fifield in Tehran When Shahrom, a Tehran developer, wants to transfer thousands of dollars to his property investment business in Dubai, or to associates in the US, he does not go to the bank. Instead, like thousands of other Iranian business people, he turns to his trusted money changer. Using a centuries-old financial transfer system known as havaleh in Iran and elsewhere as hawala, its Arabic name, Shahrom moves his money easily – and just about invisibly. “I usually transfer money into my own account in Dubai... The Financial Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001599/posts#comment Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:57:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000662/posts PERUGIA, Italy -- The Libyan officer tried to cloak the purpose of his call to the Italian arms dealer. "A friend," he said, wanted to buy 1 million "pieces" and 50 million items of "food." But when that phone call was placed in 2006, Italian police were listening. They knew the meaning. Libya was shopping for guns - lots of them. Authorities shadowed the negotiations between Libyan officials and a group of black-market dealers from across Italy for a year before they moved in and broke up what would have been a $64 million deal for hundreds of thousands of... Seattle Post-Intelligencer/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000662/posts#comment Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:01:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000047/posts U.S. Ready to Ease Sanctions on N. Korea Pyongyang Would Have to Acknowledge Evidence About Nuclear Activities By Glenn Kessler Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, April 11, 2008; A15 The United States is prepared to lift two key economic sanctions against North Korea under a tentative deal reached with that country this week, which requires Pyongyang to acknowledge U.S. concerns and evidence about a range of nuclear activities, U.S. and Asian diplomats said yesterday. The agreement also requires North Korea to finish disabling its main nuclear facility and provide a full accounting of its stockpile of plutonium. But, in a... WP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000047/posts#comment Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:31:41 GMT