Irish business trio accused by US of 'illegal trade with Iran'

[sabra]

Source: Independent

An Irish trading company and three Irish businessmen have been charged with illegally exporting aircraft parts and engines to Iran, the US Justice Department said yesterday.

Among the alleged recipients of these parts was an Iranian military firm that US authorities say is involved in Tehran's disputed nuclear and ballistic missile programme.

The three businessmen are allegedly employed by Mac Aviation Limited, a brokerage firm in Sligo that negotiates aircraft parts for foreign customers.

They were named as Tom McGuinn (72), the owner of Mac Aviation; his son Sean McGuinn (40), who serves as the sales and procurement director of the company; and Sean Byrne who is commercial manager of Mac Aviation.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, a Justice Department spokesperson said the charges against the three were extremely grave and that all, if convicted, faced "potentially some very serious time" in prison.

Read more: http://www.independent.ie/business/world/irish-business-trio-accused-by-us--of-illegal-trade-with-iran-1684883.html

[FSogol]

1. Wow, just like Reagan and the Neocons. n/t

[rfranklin]

2. Can we indict Cheney now?

Published on Thursday, July 22, 2004 by the lndependent/UK
Grand Jury Probes Cheney's Role in 'Illegal' Iran Trade
by Rupert Cornwell

WASHINGTON - Yet another controversy has flared up around the Halliburton oil services company of which Vice-President Dick Cheney used to be chief executive - this time over whether during the 1995-2000 Cheney era it violated US law by doing business directly with Iran.


GRAND JURY PROBES CHENEY'S ROLE IN 'ILLEGAL' IRAN TRADE

The US Treasury has been probing the affair, which centers on a Dubai-based subsidiary of Halliburton and its work at Iranian oilfields, ever since allegations first surfaced in 2001. But this week it emerged that the group is under investigation by federal prosecutors in its home town of Houston. A grand jury has also subpoenaed various documents covering its Iranian operations, a sign that some evidence has surfaced indicating the company knowingly violated the sanctions.


Halliburton claims it is the victim of an election season witch-hunt by the Democrats. It maintains it obeyed US regulations over dealings with Iran, which stipulate that subsidiaries doing business there must be registered abroad, employ no US citizens, and operate independently of the parent company

--more-

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0722-03.htm

[redqueen]

3. If only. (nt)

[SOS]

4. "the charges against the three were extremely grave"

Two words: Cheney, Halliburton.

Either arrest Cheney or let these guy go.