Published: October 04, 2006
Op-Ed Contributor
Crossfire War - Tehran - Damascus Impose Sanctions on Corporations
By Willard Payne
Crossfire War - TEHRAN WATCH - Eurasia Theatre: Tehran - Damascus/Geneva - Rome; Iran - Syria Impose Sanctions on Multinational Corporations with Jewish Stockholders - Tehran to Have OPEC Reduce Production and Increase Prices - 33rd Anniversary of Oil Boycott
Night Watch: TEHRAN - On the 33rd anniversary of the 1973 Arab oil boycott, in protest against the U. S. and Europe's policies in West Asia (Middle East), Debka reports that Tehran - Damascus have instituted a boycott of multinational companies that have Jewish stockholders.
This is primarily directed at Europe, who Iran suspects is using the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon to re-enter the region militarily, as if Rome and the other governments have hidden imperial agendas. The boycott will have virtually no impact in the U. S. since Washington imposed an economic embargo against Iran shortly after the Shah of Iran was overthrown in 1979.
Tehran may have to be careful as to how strictly they enforce the embargo or investigate these companies, since there could be a number of Jewish stockholders in West Asia who invest in Iranian companies. Some Jewish firms may decide to do that to cause Tehran some embarrassment. Think of the scandal that will cause. [DEBKA]
The boycott was eagerly announced by Tehran's voracious looking Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. He declared, "Article 8 of the law titled Support for the Islamic Revoulution of the Palestinian people bans economic relations with any company, institution or firm affiliated with the Zionist regime anywhere in the world." (Including Iran). Tehran is also suggesting OPEC reduce production and increase the price of a barrel of crude oil. In that they will have the very willing support of at least the Emir of Qatar who visited Beirut right after the ceasefire. He praised Hezbollah publicly then stated he wished oil had been used as a weapon.
There is another, very proud reason, why Tehran is imposing sanctions now. They of course know that governments in the UN Security Council are seriously planning sanctions against them, however ineffective, and their Persian mentality is indeed incensed at the idea, as if they are being dictated to by uncivilized barbarians. So Tehran imposed their sanctions first.
This shows their honest opinion of Europe's desperate, frightened effort to come to some diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear weapons program. Tehran knows they are negotiating from a position of economic strength. Iranians are more prepared for economic hardships than the West and they are ruled by a government that actually thrives on crisis. It provides Iran with a unifying influence.
Night Watch Information Service
http://www.crossfirewar.com
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