By Haaretz Service
Sunday Telegraph: Dubai intermediary sells Iran components bought from German manufacturer without its knowledge in violation of UN resolutions. Iran has been able to smuggle advanced technological equipment to its uranium enrichment plant in Natanz via a complex smuggling route based in Dubai, the Sunday Telegraph reported on Sunday.
According to the report, an Iranian company has purchased control systems from one of Germany's leading electronic manufacturers. The deal was negotiated with a Dubai trading company, which in turn sold Iran a range of electronic equipment for use at its enrichment facility, the British website reported. The report comes amid growing concerns that though Iran claims its nuclear program has only peaceful aims, Tehran is in fact working toward manufacturing nuclear weapons.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, Iran has smuggled German computers, controllers, communication cards and cables into Iran. The equipment was sold to Iran via a Dubai intermediary, using false certificates for companies in Asia, without the knowledge of the German manufacturer. Last month, U.S. and United Nations officials launched an investigation into Tehran's acquisition of components restricted for sale to Iran under UN resolutions. The investigation, which covered several Western companies suspected of violating said resolutions has now been expanded to Dubai, already under American pressure to prevent the transfer of technology to Iran.
Source: http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/report-iran-smuggling-german-made-nuclear-equipment-via-dubai-1.294483
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Monday, June 7, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Germany, Russia: we support for Iran nuke sanction
June 05, 2010
By VERENA SCHMITT-ROSCHMANN
Associated Press
MESEBERG, Germany — Germany and Russia declared Saturday that the five world powers negotiating with Iran support a fresh set of international sanctions, and Chancellor Angela Merkel said they could pass soon. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said at a news conference with Merkel that "agreement on the sanctions exists," despite the fact that "nobody wants sanctions."
"We hope the voice of the international community will be heard by the Iranian leadership," Medvedev said through the official German translator. Merkel said sanctions could be passed by the United Nations Security Council "in the near future."
Russia has been traditionally opposed to sanctions for Iran, a longtime trade partner, but in recent months officials have shown less patience with Iran's refusal to stop enriching uranium and heed other council demands meant to reduce suspicions over its nuclear aims .
"I am very happy, that we can stand here jointly today and say that this is a joint position not only of the European Union, the United States of America and Russia, but also of China," Merkel said. "That is an important step the international community has made here."
Moscow has recently joined the other four U.N. Security Council members — the United States, China, Britain and France — to tentatively back a draft fourth set of U.N. sanctions against Iran.
"We have always taken a two-way approach, making offers, on the one hand, but, as there are no qualitative changes, on the other hand now the time has come that such sanctions must be adopted," Merkel said.
Medvedev said it is unacceptable "that one continues to act irresponsibly. One has to move toward the partners of the international community and it is only in this way that complicated issues can be solved." Russia's president arrived Friday for a two-day visit to Germany to discuss a range of issues with Merkel.
The West is against an expansion of nuclear nations and suspects Iran is enriching uranium to build a nuclear warhead. Tehran denies this and insists on its right to a peaceful nuclear power program, but has frustrated the West over its failure to prove it.
Associated Press Writer David Nowak contributed to this story from Moscow.
Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iRqjZV1Meppj40hTs8IBOv4DdsQwD9G559800
By VERENA SCHMITT-ROSCHMANN
Associated Press
MESEBERG, Germany — Germany and Russia declared Saturday that the five world powers negotiating with Iran support a fresh set of international sanctions, and Chancellor Angela Merkel said they could pass soon. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said at a news conference with Merkel that "agreement on the sanctions exists," despite the fact that "nobody wants sanctions."
"We hope the voice of the international community will be heard by the Iranian leadership," Medvedev said through the official German translator. Merkel said sanctions could be passed by the United Nations Security Council "in the near future."
Russia has been traditionally opposed to sanctions for Iran, a longtime trade partner, but in recent months officials have shown less patience with Iran's refusal to stop enriching uranium and heed other council demands meant to reduce suspicions over its nuclear aims .
"I am very happy, that we can stand here jointly today and say that this is a joint position not only of the European Union, the United States of America and Russia, but also of China," Merkel said. "That is an important step the international community has made here."
Moscow has recently joined the other four U.N. Security Council members — the United States, China, Britain and France — to tentatively back a draft fourth set of U.N. sanctions against Iran.
"We have always taken a two-way approach, making offers, on the one hand, but, as there are no qualitative changes, on the other hand now the time has come that such sanctions must be adopted," Merkel said.
Medvedev said it is unacceptable "that one continues to act irresponsibly. One has to move toward the partners of the international community and it is only in this way that complicated issues can be solved." Russia's president arrived Friday for a two-day visit to Germany to discuss a range of issues with Merkel.
The West is against an expansion of nuclear nations and suspects Iran is enriching uranium to build a nuclear warhead. Tehran denies this and insists on its right to a peaceful nuclear power program, but has frustrated the West over its failure to prove it.
Associated Press Writer David Nowak contributed to this story from Moscow.
Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iRqjZV1Meppj40hTs8IBOv4DdsQwD9G559800
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
UN resolution will kill Turkey-Brazil deal on nuclear issue, warns Iran
June 2,2010
Were the United Nations Security Council to go ahead with new sanctions against Iran, the mediation pushed forward by Turkey and Brazil on the nuclear issue would fall through, Tehran’s foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Wednesday.
Leaders of Turkey and Brazil came to Tehran in mid May to strike a deal that would see Iran transfer 1,200 kilograms of 3.5—per—cent enriched uranium to Turkey, in exchange for 120 kilograms of 20—per—cent enriched uranium destined for a medical research reactor.
“Moving through (the) Security Council a resolution will kill this initiative,” Mr. Mottaki said during an event in Brussels hosted by the European Policy Studies (EPC) think—tank.
The proposed swap would take place under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but has not convinced the United States and the European Union, which are still pushing for stronger sanctions at the UN.
Both fear the trilateral deal does not offer enough assurances against the threat of Iran using the enriched uranium to manufacture nuclear weapons.
“There are two options: the first option is based on cooperation and confidence building, the other option is based on confrontation.
We do consider moving to a resolution in the Security Council as a base for confrontation,” Mr. Mottaki warned.
“That is not what we prefer, that is not our priority. But it’s up to the other parties who would like to move in that direction,” he added, without mentioning any particular country.
But the foreign minister said that Iran might go ahead with domestic production of enriched uranium even if the uranium swap deal went ahead.
“When we receive our 20—per—cent—enriched uranium ... then we will decide — that is our decision — (whether) it is feasible to find 20—per—cent uranium through exchange or buying or producing. That is our decision,” he stressed.
Still, Mr. Mottaki said he was “optimistic” about the success of the Brazil—Turkey deal, claiming that his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, told him in a telephone conversation on Sunday that he supported the proposal.
Russia is one of the five permanent UN Security Council members that has been dealing with the Iranian nuclear programme in the “5+1” Group. The other countries are the United States, China, France, Britain and Germany.
The EU conducted negotiations with Tehran on behalf of the group, but talks have been going nowhere for years.
During his trip to Brussels Mr. Mottaki had a closed door meeting on Tuesday in the European Parliament, a body which has no say on EU foreign policy. No meetings were foreseen with the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton.
Source: http://beta.thehindu.com/news/international/article444565.ece
Were the United Nations Security Council to go ahead with new sanctions against Iran, the mediation pushed forward by Turkey and Brazil on the nuclear issue would fall through, Tehran’s foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Wednesday.
Leaders of Turkey and Brazil came to Tehran in mid May to strike a deal that would see Iran transfer 1,200 kilograms of 3.5—per—cent enriched uranium to Turkey, in exchange for 120 kilograms of 20—per—cent enriched uranium destined for a medical research reactor.
“Moving through (the) Security Council a resolution will kill this initiative,” Mr. Mottaki said during an event in Brussels hosted by the European Policy Studies (EPC) think—tank.
The proposed swap would take place under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but has not convinced the United States and the European Union, which are still pushing for stronger sanctions at the UN.
Both fear the trilateral deal does not offer enough assurances against the threat of Iran using the enriched uranium to manufacture nuclear weapons.
“There are two options: the first option is based on cooperation and confidence building, the other option is based on confrontation.
We do consider moving to a resolution in the Security Council as a base for confrontation,” Mr. Mottaki warned.
“That is not what we prefer, that is not our priority. But it’s up to the other parties who would like to move in that direction,” he added, without mentioning any particular country.
But the foreign minister said that Iran might go ahead with domestic production of enriched uranium even if the uranium swap deal went ahead.
“When we receive our 20—per—cent—enriched uranium ... then we will decide — that is our decision — (whether) it is feasible to find 20—per—cent uranium through exchange or buying or producing. That is our decision,” he stressed.
Still, Mr. Mottaki said he was “optimistic” about the success of the Brazil—Turkey deal, claiming that his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, told him in a telephone conversation on Sunday that he supported the proposal.
Russia is one of the five permanent UN Security Council members that has been dealing with the Iranian nuclear programme in the “5+1” Group. The other countries are the United States, China, France, Britain and Germany.
The EU conducted negotiations with Tehran on behalf of the group, but talks have been going nowhere for years.
During his trip to Brussels Mr. Mottaki had a closed door meeting on Tuesday in the European Parliament, a body which has no say on EU foreign policy. No meetings were foreseen with the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton.
Source: http://beta.thehindu.com/news/international/article444565.ece
France urges rapid adoption of Iran sanctions
June 01, 2010
Reuters
A report by a U.N. watchdog saying Iranis stepping up uranium enrichment measures leaves world powers no alternative but to push for new sanctions, France's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
"In light of the report, the Six (five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany) have no choice but to seek the rapid adoption of a new sanctions resolution," ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told reporters at a regular news briefing.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a report on Monday that Iran was preparing extra equipment to enrich uranium to higher levels and continues to stockpile nuclear material.
The findings follow a deal brokered by Brazil and Turkey earlier this month under which Iran agreed to ship 1.2 tonnes of its low-enriched uranium stockpile abroad in return for fuel for a medical research reactor.
The deal, which resurrected an earlier IAEA proposal brokered by France, Russia and the United States and rejected by Tehran, was designed to allay fears that Iran is developing nuclear weapons capabilities.
Iran denies it is trying to build an atom bomb.
The new IAEA report showed Iran's low-enriched uranium stockpile had grown to 2.4 tonnes, so that even if the 1.2 tonnes were shipped now it would still leave Iran with enough material for a nuclear weapon if enriched to higher levels.
"The (IAEA) report demonstrates a complete lack of progress on the various subjects that are at the core of the international community's concerns over Iran's nuclear programme," France's Foreign Ministry said in a written statement on Tuesday.
The ministry called for Iran to comply immediately with the resolutions of the U.N. security council and the IAEA board of governors and to cooperate with the international community to calm suspicions over its nuclear enrichment activities.
(Reporting by Vicky Buffery; Editing by James Mackenzie)
Friday, May 21, 2010
Q+A: What's in and behind the Iran sanctions draft?
May 20, 2010
Reuters - The United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China agreed this week on a draft sanctions U.N. Security Council resolution against Iran over its nuclear program.
The 15-nation council has the resolution and is expected to vote on it in the coming weeks. If approved, it will impose a fourth round of U.N. sanctions against Tehran for refusing to suspend an uranium enrichment program Western powers fear is for developing weapons but Iran says is for civilian purposes.
WHAT'S NEW IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION?
The draft resolution names for the first time the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. It describes the corps' link to "the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems."
The annexes to the resolution, once they are agreed by the six, will include a list of IRGC members and firms controlled by it that will be added to the list of those subject to asset freezes and travel bans under previous sanctions resolutions.
It specifically names the Central Bank of Iran in a paragraph calling on U.N. member states to be vigilant in all transactions with Iranian banks to ensure they are not linked to Tehran's nuclear or missile programs.
It also prohibits Iran from acquiring stakes abroad in uranium mines or any nuclear- or missile-related activities.
It expands existing U.N. restrictions on arms trade with Iran to include more categories of heavy weapons.
It calls for setting up a cargo inspection regime similar to one in place for North Korea aimed at stopping and seizing banned air and sea cargo to and from Iran.
The annexes will include a list of individuals and firms linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines that will be subject to asset freezes and travel bans. Other firms, banks and individuals will be listed in the annexes as well.
The resolution bans the establishment of new Iranian banks, representative offices or subsidiaries abroad, or maintaining correspondent relationships with Iranian banks, if there are "reasonable grounds" to suspect that the banks might be involved in financing Iran's nuclear or missile programs.
The draft resolution would establish a so-called panel of experts to provide detailed reports on compliance with the sanctions regime to the U.N. Iran sanctions committee.
WHAT DID THE U.S., EUROPEANS HAVE TO GIVE UP?
During months of closed-door negotiations, U.N. diplomats say, the United States, Britain, France and Germany had to give up a number of proposed sanctions to secure the support of Russia and China, which have close trade ties to Iran.
Originally the French proposed targeting Iran's oil and gas trade. The United States suggested banning new investments in Iran's energy sector. Moscow and Beijing rejected those ideas.
All that is left of the proposed energy measures in the draft is a reference in the preamble to a "potential connection" between energy revenues and Iran's atomic program.
There was also a proposal to blacklist Iran's central bank but that was rejected by Russia, China and Germany, who feared it would make it impossible to do any business with Iran.
Most of the measures outlined in the draft resolution were originally intended to be mandatory. In the final version many have been made voluntary.
Russia and China also insisted that any sanctions taken against Iran be justified by a suspected connection to Tehran's nuclear or ballistic missile program.
HOW WILL THE RESOLUTION BE IMPLEMENTED?
If the resolution is passed, the European Union will approve its own rules on implementing it, and possibly additional sanctions that go beyond the U.N. sanctions.
The EU, United States and their allies have been increasingly aggressive in implementing existing sanctions against Iranian banks and other Iranian firms. The result has been that some of the voluntary measures in the three previous sanctions resolutions have become de facto mandatory.
WHEN WILL IT BE PASSED?
Western diplomats expect negotiations on the resolution between the five permanent veto-wielding Security Council members and the 10 elected members to continue for several weeks. The draft will likely be amended during that time.
The diplomats expect that a vote on the resolution will come in the first weeks of June at the earliest.
WILL IT BE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY?
Security Council resolutions need nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members to be adopted.
Council diplomats expect that adoption will not be unanimous. Lebanon is expected to abstain, because the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah is in its government.
Turkey and Brazil have also made clear that they would have trouble voting for new sanctions because of a nuclear fuel swap agreement with Iran they recently brokered.
There are also questions about Uganda and Nigeria, though Western diplomats say they will probably vote yes in the end. Even if they do not, the West is counting on a minimum of 10 votes in favor -- enough to pass the resolution but short of the overwhelming expression of support Washington would like.
Editing by Cynthia Osterman
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J5R920100520?feedType=RSS&feedName=Iran&virtualBrandChannel=10209
Reuters - The United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China agreed this week on a draft sanctions U.N. Security Council resolution against Iran over its nuclear program.
The 15-nation council has the resolution and is expected to vote on it in the coming weeks. If approved, it will impose a fourth round of U.N. sanctions against Tehran for refusing to suspend an uranium enrichment program Western powers fear is for developing weapons but Iran says is for civilian purposes.
WHAT'S NEW IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION?
The draft resolution names for the first time the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. It describes the corps' link to "the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems."
The annexes to the resolution, once they are agreed by the six, will include a list of IRGC members and firms controlled by it that will be added to the list of those subject to asset freezes and travel bans under previous sanctions resolutions.
It specifically names the Central Bank of Iran in a paragraph calling on U.N. member states to be vigilant in all transactions with Iranian banks to ensure they are not linked to Tehran's nuclear or missile programs.
It also prohibits Iran from acquiring stakes abroad in uranium mines or any nuclear- or missile-related activities.
It expands existing U.N. restrictions on arms trade with Iran to include more categories of heavy weapons.
It calls for setting up a cargo inspection regime similar to one in place for North Korea aimed at stopping and seizing banned air and sea cargo to and from Iran.
The annexes will include a list of individuals and firms linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines that will be subject to asset freezes and travel bans. Other firms, banks and individuals will be listed in the annexes as well.
The resolution bans the establishment of new Iranian banks, representative offices or subsidiaries abroad, or maintaining correspondent relationships with Iranian banks, if there are "reasonable grounds" to suspect that the banks might be involved in financing Iran's nuclear or missile programs.
The draft resolution would establish a so-called panel of experts to provide detailed reports on compliance with the sanctions regime to the U.N. Iran sanctions committee.
WHAT DID THE U.S., EUROPEANS HAVE TO GIVE UP?
During months of closed-door negotiations, U.N. diplomats say, the United States, Britain, France and Germany had to give up a number of proposed sanctions to secure the support of Russia and China, which have close trade ties to Iran.
Originally the French proposed targeting Iran's oil and gas trade. The United States suggested banning new investments in Iran's energy sector. Moscow and Beijing rejected those ideas.
All that is left of the proposed energy measures in the draft is a reference in the preamble to a "potential connection" between energy revenues and Iran's atomic program.
There was also a proposal to blacklist Iran's central bank but that was rejected by Russia, China and Germany, who feared it would make it impossible to do any business with Iran.
Most of the measures outlined in the draft resolution were originally intended to be mandatory. In the final version many have been made voluntary.
Russia and China also insisted that any sanctions taken against Iran be justified by a suspected connection to Tehran's nuclear or ballistic missile program.
HOW WILL THE RESOLUTION BE IMPLEMENTED?
If the resolution is passed, the European Union will approve its own rules on implementing it, and possibly additional sanctions that go beyond the U.N. sanctions.
The EU, United States and their allies have been increasingly aggressive in implementing existing sanctions against Iranian banks and other Iranian firms. The result has been that some of the voluntary measures in the three previous sanctions resolutions have become de facto mandatory.
WHEN WILL IT BE PASSED?
Western diplomats expect negotiations on the resolution between the five permanent veto-wielding Security Council members and the 10 elected members to continue for several weeks. The draft will likely be amended during that time.
The diplomats expect that a vote on the resolution will come in the first weeks of June at the earliest.
WILL IT BE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY?
Security Council resolutions need nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members to be adopted.
Council diplomats expect that adoption will not be unanimous. Lebanon is expected to abstain, because the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah is in its government.
Turkey and Brazil have also made clear that they would have trouble voting for new sanctions because of a nuclear fuel swap agreement with Iran they recently brokered.
There are also questions about Uganda and Nigeria, though Western diplomats say they will probably vote yes in the end. Even if they do not, the West is counting on a minimum of 10 votes in favor -- enough to pass the resolution but short of the overwhelming expression of support Washington would like.
Editing by Cynthia Osterman
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J5R920100520?feedType=RSS&feedName=Iran&virtualBrandChannel=10209
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