Iranian-American group condemns Total-NIOC deal

The following received from Shawn Sedaghat goodattorney@hotmail.com

League of Iranian-American Voters
15250 Ventura Blvd.,
Suite 802 Sherman Oaks,
CA 91403
Tel: (818) 382-3333 Fax:(818) 382-3319

September 30, 1997

Mr. William J. Clinton
The President of the United States of America
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

The news of the recent contract between various companies, including Total SA, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is an issue of major concern to myself and other members of the League of Iranian-American Voters.

Although, individually, or as a group, we may not totally subscribe to the philosophy behind the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, we deplore the actions of any entity which engages in business with Iran without regard for that country's abysmal internal human rights record and antagonistic foreign policy.

Despite the assertion of Mr. Thierry Desmarest, the chairman of Total SA, it is no secret that Iran has a dismal human rights record and supports international terrorism, at least financially.

Total's deal with Iran not only ignores the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, but it also ignores the reality that fundamental rights of Iranians, at home and abroad, are trampled upon by the current or the previous governments in Iran. Labeling controversial endeavors as "critical dialogue" can not camouflage France's pure economic agenda and robs that country of any moral ascendancy it may have claimed.

I, as well as other Iranian expatriates, request that the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act be administered to its fullest effect and that the following penalties provided for under that Act, be imposed.

(i) The President may direct the U.S. Export-Import Bank not to approve any guarantee, insurance, or credit in connection with any goods or service to the sanctioned company.

(ii) The President may order the U.S. government not to issue any specific license or grant any permission to export goods or technology to the sanctioned company.

(iii) U.S. financial institutions may be barred from making loans or providing credits totaling more than $10 million in 12 months to a sanctioned company, unless the loans or credits are to be used "in activities to relieve human suffering".

(iv) The U.S. government may not buy or contract to buy any goods or services from the sanctioned company.

(v) The President may impose other sanctions to restrict imports related to the sanctioned company.

(vi) The law also provides possible penalties against a sanctioned financial institution.

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter, which concern the lives of freedom-loving people everywhere in the world.

Very Truly Yours,

Shawn Sedaghat, Esq.
Member, League of the Iranian-American Voters

Related links

* THE IRANIAN Opinion section
* Iran News
* Complete list of Iranian online media