UANI Statement on MTN's Evasion of U.S. Sanctions and Investigation of MTN for Bribery and Corruption in Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 5, 2012 Contact: Nathan Carleton, press@uani.com Phone: (212) 554-3296 UANI Statement on MTN's Evasion of U.S. Sanctions and Investigation of MTN for Bribery and Corruption in Iran New York, NY - United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, issued the following statement Tuesday following reports that MTN evaded U.S. sanctions in order to send sophisticated American computer equipment to Iran, and is being investigated by its own government for bribery and corruption in Iran -- where MTN allegedly promised the Iranian regime that South Africa would vote against sanctioning Iran's nuclear program: MTN's partnership with the Iranian regime stands out as one of the most irresponsible and dangerous corporate relationships in the world. Continuing the partnership damages MTN's reputation, betrays the values of its employees and shareholders, and helps the regime brutally oppress the Iranian people.   At this point, we know that MTN Irancell is a partnership between MTN and the Iranian regime, and that MTN has carried out orders from the regime to shut off text messaging and Skype during times of political protest. MTN also reportedly has a floor in its Tehran headquarters controlled by Iranian security officials, violates U.S. sanctions in order to provide the regime with sophisticated American computer equipment, and has even lobbied the South African government on behalf of the regime. MTN will never be considered a responsible and sound corporation until it ends its reckless partnership with one of the world's most brutal regimes. We again call on MTN to immediately end all of its Iran business activities and show the world it is willing to put principle and reputation above profit. We call on U.S. lawmakers and the Department of Commerce to investigate MTN for violations of U.S. export law and sanctions. UANI launched its MTN campaign in January, and has run online and Facebook advertisements highlighting MTN's work in Iran. MTN Irancell is the second-largest mobile phone network operator in Iran, and the majority of its shares are owned by the Iranian regime, which has exploited MTN's network and technology to monitor and track the activities and communications of peaceful dissidents. In April, a South African publication reported disturbing details of MTN's work in Iran, including accounts of a floor in MTN Irancell's headquarters that is controlled by Iranian security officials who compile tracking data on Iranian citizens. The report, and others like it, completely contradicts MTN's previous claims to UANI that it adheres to U.N. human rights policies and is "a liberating force" for Iranian citizens.   Click here to read UANI's February 29 letter to MTN. Click here to read UANI's January 25 letter to MTN. Click here and here to see UANI's MTN advertisements. Click here to send a message to MTN.   ###   United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran should concern every American and be unacceptable to the community of nations. Since 1979 the Iranian regime, most recently under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's leadership, has demonstrated increasingly threatening behavior and rhetoric toward the US and the West. Iran continues to defy the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations in their attempts to monitor its nuclear activities. A number of Arab states have warned that Iran's development of nuclear weapons poses a threat to Middle East stability and could provoke a regional nuclear arms race. In short, the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran is a danger to world peace. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a non-partisan, broad-based coalition that is united in a commitment to prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons.  UANI is an issue-based coalition in which each coalition member will have its own interests as well as the collective goal of advancing an Iran free of nuclear weapons. The Objectives of United Against a Nuclear Iran Inform the public about the nature of the Iranian regime, including its desire and intent to possess nuclear weapons, as well as Iran's role as a state sponsor of global terrorism, and a major violator of human rights at home and abroad; Heighten awareness nationally and internationally about the danger that a nuclear armed Iran poses to the region and the world; Mobilize public support, utilize media outreach, and persuade our elected leaders to voice a robust and united American opposition to a nuclear Iran; Lay the groundwork for effective US policies in coordination with European and other allies; Persuade the regime in Tehran to desist from its quest for nuclear weapons, while striving not to punish the Iranian people, and; Promote efforts that focus on vigorous national and international, social, economic, political and diplomatic measures. UANI is led by an advisory board of outstanding national figures representing all sectors of our country.

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