UANI Calls on Maersk and Komatsu to Comply with Sanctions and End Their Business in Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 30, 2010 Contact: Kimmie Lipscomb, press@uani.com Phone: (212) 554-3296 UANI Calls on Maersk and Komatsu to Comply with Sanctions and End Their Business in Iran New York, NY - United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) on Thursday called on Maersk and Komatsu to comply with U.S. sanctions and end their business in Iran. Maersk and Komatsu are listed on UANI's Iran Business Registry (IBR). Maersk and Komatsu both conduct business in Iran that contributes to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources. As a result of this business, both companies are subject to sanctions under the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 ("CISADA"). In a letter to Nils Smedegaard Andersen, the CEO of Maersk Shipping, UANI President, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace wrote: Maersk operates two offices in Iran, one in Tehran and one in Bandar Abbas. Several container terminals operated by Maersk Iran A.S. are service points for imports and exports and also fall under the jurisdiction of CISADA, including the Shaheed Rajee Container Terminal in Bandar Abbas... The Shaheed Rajee Container Terminal is operated by operated by Tidewater Middle East Co. ("Tidewater"). Reports indicate that Tidewater is principally owned and/or controlled by the IRGC, a group designated by the U.S. Department of State as a terrorist entity and that is heavily involved in the development of Iran's nuclear program... These business operations in Iran constitute sanctionable activity covered by CISADA. CISADA requires companies that do business with the U.S. Government to certify that they do not engage in business in Iran that is subject to sanctions. (CISADA, Section 102, (b)(1), Additional Measure Relating to Government Contracts). Maersk cannot make such a certification. In a letter to Kunio Noji, the CEO of Komatsu, UANI President, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace wrote: Komatsu Middle East FZE ("KME") has an office in Tehran and has enabled the sale, assembly and manufacture of construction equipment that has been used in Iran's energy sector. As you may know, the oil and gas sector in Iran is dominated by the IRGC, an entity that is the principal player in Iran's nuclear weapons program and is also on the U.S. State Department's Terrorism List... Komatsu's business dealings in Iran in the oil and gas sector are inappropriate and violate the law. Unfortunately, Komatsu is likely aiding in the development of Iran's nuclear weapons program through its sale of Komatsu excavation products, including bulldozers, dump trucks, crawler dozers, etc... Please be advised that unless Komatsu ceases its business dealings in Iran, Komatsu will be barred from contracting with the U.S. government. UANI calls on Maerskand Komatsu to make a simple choice between doing business in Iran and doing business with the U.S. Government. Click here to read the letter to Maersk. Click here to read the letter to Komatsu. Click here to learn more about the Iran Disclosure Project. # # # 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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