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U.S. Targets Syrian Navy, Air Force and Hizbullah with Sanctions
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on 14 foreign people, companies and government agencies, including the Syrian navy and air force, as part of a stepped up drive to halt banned military dealings with Iran and Syria. The 14 entities which also include Hizbullah, a Pakistani national and firms from China, Malaysia, Mexico and Singapore are accused of selling to or buying from Iran or Syria missile technology or material to make weapons of mass destruction. The sanctions, announced by the State Department on Monday, bar any U.S. aid, government contracts or export licenses to the named entities for two years. They may be renewed at any time during that period. State Department officials refused to comment on specific allegations against those listed in the notice because the determinations involved sensitive intelligence. But, they said Washington had "credible evidence" they had been involved in illicit transfers. The measures are largely symbolic because many of the targets are already subject to U.S. sanctions for previous similar transactions, most recently in December 2006, officials said. However, the Syrian navy and air force, have never before been identified as violators of the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act, they said. Neither has Hizbullah, which is backed by both Syria and Iran and is covered by existing U.S. sanctions because it is designated a "foreign terrorist organization" by the United States, they said. The listed entities included the China National Precision Machinery Import/Export Corporation, the Shanghai Non-Ferrous Metals Pudong Development Trade Company and the Zibo Chemet Equipment Company (China). Also listed were Sokkia Singapore PTE Ltd., Challenger Corporation and Target Airfreight of Malaysia, Aerospace Logistics Services of Mexico and Pakistani national Arif Durrani. Companies on the banned list are hq'd in: China, China, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Meheeco, and Pakistan. Posted by: mrp 2007-04-24 |
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