UAE Seizes Banned Cargo - “Hazardous Materials” - Headed To Iran
Financial Times:
Dec. 4
The United Arab Emirates has impounded the cargo of a vessel bound for Iran after discovering that “hazardous materials” aboard contravened UN sanctions placed on the Islamic republic to curtail its nuclear development programme.
In a further ratcheting up of the UAE’s determination to curb misuse of its ports, an official there confirmed that the cargo, detained for testing last month, contained materials banned by UN Security Council resolutions 1737 and 1747, while the purchaser of the materials had also been barred by the same resolutions.
But he declined to identify the contents of the cargo or the Iranian company that had ordered the materials.
The UAE’s move comes amid a broader tightening of control over Iranian business interests that have for decades existed in the emirates, mainly Dubai.
“The UAE wants to be seen to take action as they haven’t been so proactive in the past on, for example, dual-use materials,” says Neil Patrick, analyst for the International Crisis Group, a non-governmental organisation.
The US has criticised the UAE for lax controls over the transshipment of sensitive materials, such as nuclear technologies and explosive devices. This prompted the UAE to close down about 40 companies for transshipment offences and to introduce an export control law in September.
Nasser Hashempour, vice-president of the Dubai-based Iran Business Council, says an unofficial ban appears to have been imposed on the issuance of visas to newly formed, Iran-linked companies based in the emirates.
“The authorities give a licence but when it comes to new visas they have difficulties,” says Mr Hashempour.
But he and Iran-based businessmen confirm that existing Iranian companies – most of which are involved in re-exporting goods from Europe, China and even the US – are not facing any specific problems in transferring goods to their home market, at least for now.
Iran’s merchants are also finding it increasingly difficult to raise bank financing for trade purposes as UAE-based regional and international banks halt their dealings with entities from the Islamic republic, or even with companies that are known to deal with it.
But the souqs in Iran remain well stocked. “The sanctions are biting – but it really does still seem like business as usual over there,” says a Dubai-based financier.
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Here is Resolution 1747 (2007)
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Focus…s1747-2007.pdf
And
Resolution 1737 (2006)
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Focus…s1737-2006.pdf
Lets guess what it is!!!
December 5th, 2007 at 3:38 pmBoth links I got a “can’t find page” but, they were both letterheaded by the IAEA. Doesn’t take a nuclear scientist to figure this out.
December 5th, 2007 at 9:42 pmSmoking gun?
December 6th, 2007 at 10:04 am