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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2014
Phone: (212) 554-3296
UANI Calls on France's GDF Suez to Forgo Business in Iran
Energy Giant was Part of French Trade Delegation that Visited Tehran Last Month
France Trade Delegation Campaign by calling on French energy firm GDF Suez to clarify the purpose of its recent reported visit to Iran, and certify that it will not initiate any Iran business activities.
Last month, GDF Suez reportedly participated in a three-day French trade mission to Tehran to explore new business opportunities following the implementation of the interim nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1. The delegation reportedly met with Mohammad Nahavandian, President Rouhani's chief of staff, as well as members of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.
GDF Suez has previously done Iran business. According to the Wall Street Journal, "Until 2010, the group worked with Iran's National Iranian Oil Co., or NIOC, to assess the country's hydrocarbon reserves."
GDF Suez's interest in the Iranian market is ill-advised and premature. As President Barack Obama said in remarks with French President Francois Hollande last month, businesses "exploring" the Iranian market "do so at their own peril right now, because we will come down on them like a ton of bricks."
Added President Hollande: "As far as sanctions are concerned, they will only be lifted if and when there is a definite agreement. And during this period of an interim agreement, they remain in force."
GDF Suez maintains a vast U.S. presence, with dozens of sites throughout Texas and the eastern U.S. GDF Suez has also benefited from vast U.S. government contracts, totaling over $87 million since 2000.
In a letter to GDF Suez CEO Gérard Mestrallet, UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace wrote:
... As clearly indicated in numerous statements issued by U.S. and EU officials, the JPA in no way gives a green light for companies to enter or re-enter the Iranian market. Simply put, Iran is not "open for business." For example, in remarks before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on February 4, 2014, Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen stated, "The sanctions that remain in place are broad and that we intend to enforce our sanctions vigorously." In reference to trade delegations visiting Iran like those from France, Undersecretary Cohen stated, "We are as crystal clear as possible in all of our engagements that if these talks turn into something more, if these talks turn into deals that violate the elaborate sanctions that remain in place, that we will take action."
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UANI strongly believes that no company should benefit from access to the world's largest economy and consumer market while at the same time investing in Iran. Please be advised that UANI will not waver in its commitment to shining the full light of public scrutiny on any company that gives succor to the Iranian regime in its illicit pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability and worldwide sponsorship of terrorism. ...
UANI's France Trade Delegation Campaign tracks French companies that are exploring the Iranian market following the implementation of the Geneva interim agreement. Notwithstanding the terms of the agreement, there remain severe reputational, financial and legal risks associated with Iran business.
On February 20, UANI applauded France's Safran for pledging to forgo business with Iran in response to calls from UANI. Safran stated that it agrees with UANI that "the vast majority of EU and U.S. sanctions against Iran remains in place and will continue to be enforced." Continued Safran: "It is the reason why Safran confirmed at this stage to continue to have no business with Iranian customers."
Click here to read UANI's full letter to GDF Suez.
Click here to send a message to GDF Suez.
Click here to learn more about UANI's France Trade Delegation Campaign.
Click here to learn more about UANI's Austria Trade Delegation Campaign.
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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 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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