AJC Praises U.S. Opposition to Swiss-Iran Gas Deal

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Aug 21, 2010, 02:46 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Jewish Committee praised an American official for criticizing a Swiss-Iran gas deal valued at 18 billion Euros.

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An August 19 Jerusalem Post article quoted an email sent to the paper by the American Embassy spokesman in Berne. He said: "As we noted in the past when this deal was first announced, oil and gas deals with Iran send the wrong message when Iran continues to defy UN Security council resolutions. We have raised our concerns with the Swiss government about this arrangement on multiple occasions."

The spokesman suggested that the Swiss move could trigger an American reaction. "U.S. law provides for sanctions for certain investments that contribute to Iran's ability to develop and transport its petroleum resources," he noted.

AJC has long been concerned by Switzerland's continued economic links with Iran, having raised the issue in numerous meetings with high-level Swiss officials, most recently this summer with Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey.

"Switzerland should be moving further away from Iran, not closer," said AJC Executive Director David Harris.

"The U.S. and EU have recently adopted toughened economic restrictions against Iran, following a fourth UN Security Council sanctions resolution. It is incomprehensible that, with government support, Swiss companies would pursue agreements that strengthen an Iranian regime which so flagrantly flaunts the will of the international community and suppresses the rights of its own citizens," Harris added. "Political neutrality must never again become an excuse for moral neutrality. We would welcome a U.S. inquiry of whether this particular Swiss company, EGL, warrants American sanctions. We also hope that the EU, with which Switzerland has a special economic relationship, will raise this issue forcefully with Berne."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee