(New York Times) David E. Sanger - The Bush administration announced new sanctions on Tuesday against state-owned Chinese companies that it accused of aiding Iran's missile and chemical programs. The sanctions, announced by the State Department, are part of a diplomatically complex effort to cut off the flow of technology into Iran that could aid its weapons programs, while pressing both China and Russia to threaten action against Tehran at the UN Security Council. Administration officials said they had no evidence that President Hu Jintao or other Chinese leaders were aware of the sales, and they said the Chinese had been sporadically helpful in cutting off shipments of crucial technologies to the Iranians. The sanctions will have little practical effect on most of the companies cited since the Chinese companies are already barred from doing business with the U.S.
2005-12-28 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive