U.S. Enriches Companies Defying Its Policy on Iran

[Judi Lynn]

Source: New York Times

U.S. Enriches Companies Defying Its Policy on Iran
By JO BECKER and RON NIXON
Published: March 6, 2010

The federal government has awarded more than $107 billion in contract payments, grants and other benefits over the past decade to foreign and multinational American companies while they were doing business in Iran, despite Washington’s efforts to discourage investment there, records show.

That includes nearly $15 billion paid to companies that defied American sanctions law by making large investments that helped Iran develop its vast oil and gas reserves.

For years, the United States has been pressing other nations to join its efforts to squeeze the Iranian economy, in hopes of reining in Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Now, with the nuclear standoff hardening and Iran rebuffing American diplomatic outreach, the Obama administration is trying to win a tough new round of United Nations sanctions.

But a New York Times analysis of federal records, company reports and other documents shows that both the Obama and Bush administrations have sent mixed messages to the corporate world when it comes to doing business in Iran, rewarding companies whose commercial interests conflict with American security goals.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/world/middleeast/07sanctions.html?ref=world

[The abyss]

1. Nice find Judi!

It does make ya wonder.

[Hotler]

2. Kicking!

Thanks Judi.

[Peace Patriot]

3. Where was this article during the Bush Junta? nt

[No Elephants]

4. In the hands of Bush's broker?

[No Elephants]

5. Do we have a law that requires companies based in the U.S. or doing business in the U.S. to report

all profits made by them or any of their affiliates from doing business in or with Iran?

If not, why not?

The Times apparently got this info from public filings, such as filings with the SEC. Is anyone in D.C. working on anything but their own re-elections?

P.S. Halliburton withdrew in 2007.