[ Wall Street Journal-Europe] Editorial - Berlin's refusal to use its considerable economic leverage over Tehran puts it at odds not only with Washington but increasingly with its European partners in London and Paris. In February, Germany's Export Control Office gave the green light for a $157 million gas deal with Iran. SPG Steiner-Prematechnik-Gastec will build three plants that turn gas to liquid fuels. German imports from Iran rose 28% last year. And German exports to Iran are up 13.6% in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Germany is increasingly siding with China and Russia to give diplomacy yet another chance even as Iran's regime shows no willingness to respond to the carrots.
2008-08-01 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive