Tanzania must stop re-flagging Iran tankers: U.S. lawmaker
WASHINGTON | Fri Jun 29, 2012 1:39pm EDT (Reuters) - Tanzania must stop the practice of "re-flagging" Iranian oil tankers or it will face the threat of U.S. sanctions and damage its ties with Washington, a U.S. lawmaker warned on Friday.
Howard Berman, the ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, accused Tanzania of reflagging at least six and possibly as many at 10 tankers owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company.
"This action by your government has the effect of assisting the Iranian regime in evading U.S. and EU sanctions and generating additional revenues for its nuclear enrichment and weapons research program and its support for international terrorism,"
Berman said in a letter to President Jakaya Kikwete that was obtained by Reuters. Berman said if the tankers were allowed to continue sailing under the Tanzanian flag, Tanzania could face the sanctions that President Barack Obama signed into law.
He said Congress would also have "no choice" but to consider whether to continue the range of bilateral U.S. programs with Tanzania.Officials at Tanzania's embassy were not immediately available to comment on Berman's letter.
The sanctions, along with similar action by the European Union, are aimed at pressuring Iran to curb its nuclear program, which the West believes aims to develop nuclear weapons but which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes. The United States gave China a six-month reprieve from Iran financial sanctions on Thursday. The Obama administration has now spared all 20 of Iran's major oil buyers from its unilateral sanctions, rewarding them for cutting purchases of Iranian oil.
Below are some of the Super-Tankers that have been renamed, and flying the Tanzanian Flag:
Davar (previous name): Companion – Tanzania
Haraz: Freedom – Tanzania
Susangrid: Daisy – Tanzania
Barua yao hii hapa:
Dear President Kikwete,
I am writing to express my deep dismay that Tanzania has permitted the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), to reflag at least 6 and as many as 10 of its vessels under the Tanzanian ship registry, allowing them to remain under NITC ownership and continuing to transport Iran’s crude oil exports. This action by your government has the effect of assisting the Iranian regime in evading U.S. and EU sanctions and generating additional revenues for its nuclear enrichment and weapons research programs and its support for international terrorism.
It is profoundly disappointing to me to learn that your government has acted in contravention of the broad international coalition that is working together to use peaceful means, including economic sanctions, to change the threatening behavior of the Iranian regime. The decision to accept the re-flagging of NITC vessels casts a shadow over Tanzania’s international reputation.
I respectfully request that Tanzania cancel the re-flagging of the NITC vessels. Given the close and cooperative relationship that our two governments now enjoy, it would be unfortunate if this action were permitted to stand.
It would be preferable that Tanzania take this action of its own accord. However, your government should take note of President Obama’s Executive Order 13608, signed May 1, 2012, which provides for the imposition of sanctions on any entity worldwide, including foreign governments, that assists Iran in evading U.S. sanctions. In my view, reflagging Iranian oil tankers falls within the scope of sanctionable activity under that Executive Order. In addition, if Tanzania were to allow Iranian vessels to remain under Tanzanian registry, we in the Congress would have no choice but to consider whether to continue the range of bi-lateral U.S. programs with Tanzania.
Sincerely,
Howard Berman
Ranking Democrat, House Foreign Affairs Committee
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