Turkey and China are helping Iran to evade UN sanctions by providing them with secret banking facilities to purchase goods, according to Western security officials.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Photo: REUTERS
By Con Coughlin
8:00PM GMT 19 Feb 2012
In an attempt to escape the effects of the wide-ranging sanctions imposed over Iran’s illegal nuclear programme, Iran’s central bank is using a number of financial institutions in China and Turkey to fund the purchase of vital goods to keep the Iranian economy afloat.
According to Western security officials China, which is Iran’s largest oil trading partner, is playing a major role in helping Iran to avoid the sanctions.
Instead of transferring payments to Iran owed from oil purchases, Chinese banks are using the money to buy goods on behalf of the Iranians and then shipping them to Iran.
“It is like an old-fashioned barter mechanism,” explained a senior security official. “The money Iran earns from oil sales goes into banks in China and is then used for Iranian purchases of other goods and materials. It is a very good way of getting round the sanctions.” Security officials have also identified a number of financial institutions in Turkey that are helping Iran to evade sanctions.
Turkey, which maintains good diplomatic relations with Tehran, is particularly useful to Tehran because of its close trading ties with Europe.
Investigators claim they have found evidence of Turkish businesses trying to purchase financial institutions in Europe on behalf of Iran which can then be used by Tehran to purchase much-needed goods and materials for its stricken economy.
According to security officials responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the sanctions, the sanctions-busting operation is being masterminded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who are said to own more than 50 percent of the Iranian economy.
They are taking an increasingly influential role in the running of the Central Bank of Iran, which is itself the subject of international sanctions. “Today the Central Bank of Iran is being run like an intelligence operation,” said one investigator.
Iran is particularly keen to have access to banks in Germany, which is one of the world’s leading handlers of euros. U.S. Treasury department officials have identified a number of transactions passing through German banks that appear to have come from Turkey, but in fact are being controlled by Tehran. In addition to the eurozone Iran is also trying to transfer funds through Ukraine and Belorussia.
The visit takes place amid warnings from diplomats based in Vienna, the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, that Iran may be preparing to expand its nuclear programme to an underground site near the city of Qom, enabling it to speed up the production of enriched uranium, a vital component for nuclear weapons.
Reports said Tehran has put finishing touches for the installation of thousands of new-generation centrifuges at the facility – machines that can produce enriched uranium much more quickly and efficiently than its present machines.
via Turkey and China ‘helping Iran evade UN sanctions’ – Telegraph.
THE VIDEO EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE, BUT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS… THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD BANK, JAMES WOLFENSOHN, MAKES STUNNING CONFESSIONS AS HE ADDRESSES GRADUATE STUDENTS AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY. HE REVEALS THE INSIDE HAND OF WORLD DOMINATION FROM PAST, TO THE PRESENT AND INTO THE FUTURE. THE SPEECH WAS MAS MADE JANUARY 11TH, 2010. THE NEXT 19 MINUTES MAY OPEN YOUR MIND TO A VERY DELIBERATE WORLD.
HE TELLS THE GRAD STUDENTS WHAT’S COMING, A “TECTONIC SHIFT” IN WEALTH FROM THE WEST TO THE EAST. BUT HE DOESN’T TELL THE STUDENTS THAT IT IS HIS INSTITUTION, THE WORLD BANK, THAT’S DIRECTING AND CHANNELING THESE CHANGES.
WOLFENSOHN’S OWN INVESTMENT FIRM IS IN CHINA, POISED TO PROFIT FROM THIS “IMMINENT SHIFT” IN GLOBAL WEALTH.
A policeman stand guard near the European Union Delegation in Beijing in November 2011. China has no intention to "buy out Europe", a top state-run newspaper said Monday, reiterating comments made by Premier Wen Jiabao ahead of a major summit with the European Union in Beijing.
AFP – China has no intention to “buy out Europe”, a top state-run newspaper said Monday, reiterating comments made by Premier Wen Jiabao ahead of a major summit with the European Union in Beijing.
The Chinese government has in recent weeks sought to calm concerns in Europe that a wave of investment by Chinese companies and government-backed funds will give Beijing too much influence over struggling European economies.
“China not only does not have the appetite or ability to ‘buy out Europe’ or ‘control Europe’ like some in Europe have said, but also supports the euro and European Union from start to finish,” the People’s Daily said.
The commentary in the overseas edition of the Communist Party mouthpiece also reiterated comments made by Wen earlier this month that China was mulling helping out in the European debt crisis, through the International Monetary Fund or bailout funds.
“For many years, the European Union has been China’s biggest export market and largest source of technology, as well as a major provider of foreign investment,” it said.
“This is the main consideration behind what Premier Wen said — that ‘helping Europe is actually helping China itself’.”
The comment piece comes a day ahead of a major EU-China summit that takes place against a backdrop of concern over the eurozone crisis, which has seen a wave of credit-rating downgrades and brought Greece to the brink of bankruptcy.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy will attend the summit in Beijing on Tuesday, as will Wen.
European leaders have previously called on China, which has the world’s largest foreign exchange reserves, to invest in a bailout fund to rescue debt-stricken countries.
China has so far made no firm commitment to provide financial assistance, other than Wen’s comments made during German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit and reiterated in the People’s Daily on Monday.
But Chinese companies and funds have ramped up their investment in Europe, buying up utilities, energy firms and even luxury yacht makers, in a move welcomed by some but eyed with concern by others.
Analysts say bargain-hunting — and not the secret hand of Beijing — is driving the recent wave of acquisitions as Chinese firms seek to expand abroad and the country’s sovereign wealth fund diversifies away from US bonds.
On 4 February 2012, the media organizations of the War Party unanimously announced more than 200 deaths in Homs – a city “bleeding” -, the torture of children and “relentless” bombing. We are supposed to be witnessing the “most terrifying massacre” since the beginning of the “revolt“. Spontaneously, attacks were triggered during the night against the Syrian embassies in Washington, Cairo, Kuwait and London.
In fact, to increase pressure on the UN Security Council and public opinion, the imperial communication apparatus has resumed services after a brief lull.
The advocates of intervention in Syria made a mistake by sending an observer mission. The 160 observers from the 22 Arab League countries were able to establish the discrepancy between the version of events put forward by the West and the reality on the ground. For this reason, their report was smothered by the Presidency of the Arab League, and has not been presented to the Security Council, when it was supposed to constitute the very basis for the new deliberations on Syria.
The problem is that the report would bring to light several points wholly at variance with the current Atlanticist version, when the laws of war propaganda aim to silence all dissenting voices in order to impose its own views.
Since they refuse to endorse NATO’s storytelling, the observers have become embarrassing witnesses. Although the extension of their mission had received 4 votes in favor and 1 against (that of Qatar) by the Ad HocMinisterial Committee of the Arab League, they must leave Syria due to “security” reasons, after the Gulf observers were called back and Saudi Arabia issued a call from Al-sheik Aroor for their assassination.
Although he is depicted as a radical Muslim, Sheik Adnan Al Aroor is a former Syrian officer arrested and sentenced to 70 years for raping several conscripts under his command. Exiled in Saudi Arabia, he created his own sect and became one of the leading Takfirist preachers, the guru of the insurgents.
Now that Syria is again the only one in a position to provide another version of events, the lie industry set up for this operation is back in full gear. Once again the sole source recognized by the West and the Gulf is the self-proclaimed Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, based in London and led by the Muslim Brotherhood. No evidence is submitted; a few blurred photos, the juxtaposition of images showing demonstrations and explosions, and some anonymous testimonials will do: the “information” is instantly relayed, with no verification, by hundreds of media across the world.
While they are accused of defending cynical interests, the Russians and Chinese are essentially the last members of the Security Council to elevate the facts above communication strategies and international law above the lies.
How has the Arab Spring affected Turkey? What is the Turkish government’s stand on the revolution currently engulfing the Middle East?
The ongoing transformation in the region emerged and developed as a consequence of the aspirations of the local people. They basically call for transparency, rule of law, political participation, freedom, constitutional reforms and better economic opportunities. From the very beginning, the Turkish Government encouraged the leaders of the countries in question to listen to the voice of their people and respect their demands. We are contributing and determined to contribute more to these countries’ efforts to come out of transitional period by achieving their ambitions on the basis of social consensus.
What are the challenges you encounter in your attempt to promote stronger bilateral ties between Turkey and Malaysia?
Due to different geographical locations, the priorities of Turkey and Malaysia justifiably diverge. Indeed, this might present itself as a challenge when you intend to foster bilateral relations. Keeping this limitation in mind, our Embassy focuses on areas of cooperation in every field. PM Najib’s official visit to Turkey last year boosted our relations, and we expect that relations will reach even higher levels when PM Erdogan returns this visit, most probably this year.
What made you choose a career in the diplomatic field, and what are the most important character traits, qualifications and skills for one to be a successful diplomat?
I had decided to become a diplomat when I was 14. At that age, I think I was influenced by some relatives who aspired to be in foreign services. As for the character traits of successful diplomats, common sense and patience to listen to other people, I believe, are the most important ones.
How is Malaysia seen in the eyes of the Turkish people?
Malaysia is seen quite positively in Turkey. On the other hand, it would be fair to argue that Turkish people are not much exposed to the news about Malaysia. It is our intention and duty to help narrow the gap between the two. Recently, the Malaysian Government provided assistance for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Van province of Turkey. Besides, there were many other individual acts of support shown by Malaysian people. For example, the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), headed by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor made a donation. Gestures like these were highly welcomed by the Turkish people and I am certain that helping hands extended during difficult times will always be remembered.
Is Turkey still interested in becoming a European Union member, given the fact that the deepening sovereign debt crisis is creating so much uncertainty to the region’s economy and financial system? If so, why?
European Union (EU) membership is a long term strategic goal for Turkey. We are firmly engaged in accession process. The resoluteness and political will in our side cannot and will not be disturbed by provisional crises like the one EU has been going through.
What is Turkey’s strategy and target for its economy amid the current global economic turmoil?
Turkey has entered the current economic crisis with strong public finance, strong banking sector, political stability, strong political will, fiscal consolidation and prudent monetary policy.
We are taking the necessary measures to keep the effects of the recent crisis in Turkey to a minimum. For instance, we are committed to our fiscal discipline and monetary policy; diversify our export markets, reduce imported energy dependency by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, and increase domestic savings. We also introduced some structural reforms to enhance investment environment.
Turkey is the 16th biggest economy in the world now. Our target is to be in the top 10 by 2023, when we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Turkish Republic.
What are things that Malaysia can do to attract more investments from Turkish businessmen? And what are the sectors that would interest them the most?
Facilitating legal framework and close cooperation of relevant institutions form the basis of investment relations. Investment Agencies of Turkey and Malaysia, ISPAT and MIDA, has agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, recently. Turkish Central Bank and Bank Negara have also agreed to sign a barter agreement. These are steps in the right direction.
Currently, Turkish investments in Malaysia are mostly concentrated in the defence industry. On the other hand, I am observing gladly that three Turkish companies in cosmetic, building materials and food Industries have decided to make investments in Iskandar. It is quite encouraging.
I see a great potential in the construction sector. Turkey’s construction industry is the second biggest in the world, after China. Turkey’s capable and experienced construction companies should take their share from Malaysia’s infrastructure projects.
Ongoing FTA negotiations, once concluded, will not only expand bilateral trade, but also affect investment from both sides positively.
On the other hand, Turkey offers competitive investment opportunities for Malaysian companies. Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s latest investments in healthcare, transportation and construction in Turkey are quite heartening. We expect and call more Malaysian companies to follow Khazanah.
How are trade, diplomacy and business ties been between Turkey and Malaysia and how do you see that evolving?
The bilateral relations between Turkey and Malaysia have been progressing in every field. Malaysian PM’s visit to Turkey confirmed once again the political will in both sides to improve the relations even further. Turkish PM’s visit to Malaysia and the signing of Free Trade Agreement constitute our priorities for this year. I foresee that the relations will widen and deepen for the years to come.
How are you adopting to Malaysia and what do you think about Malaysian women as compared to those in Turkey?
It is my third year in Malaysia and I can say that my adaptation period was rather short and quite easy, thanks to the Malaysian hospitality. It is a very welcoming country, indeed.
Active participation of Malaysian women in social and economic life is what impresses me the most. The high number of female students at universities is also very remarkable. I commend Malaysian women for playing such a critical role in the well being of their country.
How important is Asia to Turkey and what is being done to improve business ties with the East?
Turkey is aware of the rising strategic importance of the region. We increase our presence by opening new Embassies and also Commercial Offices. With this, we aim to better identify opportunities presented and create many bridges between Turkish people, Turkish business community and their counterparts here.
The 3rd Turkish Products Exhibition that will be held at the KL Convention Centre between March 1 and 3 2012 can be cited as an example of our efforts to improve business ties between Turkey and Malaysia. About 70 Turkish companies will be participating to showcase a wide range of Turkish products i.e. agriculture products, automotive, machineries, building materials such as tiles and ceramics, chemicals, industrial products, food products, cosmetics, gifts, decorative articles, kitchen accessories, textiles and many more. This is a must visit for anyone looking for new business opportunities in the Turkish market.
Simultaneously, in collaboration with JW Marriott KL, there will be a Cultural Week at this hotel from Feb 26 to March 3. Fascinating Turkish folk dances will be performed and selected Turkish food and delicacies will be served. Turkish handicrafts and arts such as glass blowing and marbling will also be showcased.
I would like extend an invitation to all Malaysians to join us in these events.
Obama claims “a world once divided [on Iran]. . .now stands as one” and that Iran is “isolated”. Is it Iran or the US & Israel who are “isolated”?
by Joshua Blakeney
Press TV: US president Barack Obama has asserted the country’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security; while repeatedly threatening Iran with what he calls ‘all options on the table’.
Obama once again renewed US threats against Iran during his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 24, saying that Washington will maintain pressure on the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program.
“America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal,” the US president said.
Iran has categorically refuted the US-led allegations regarding its nuclear program, insisting that the country’s nuclear program is only intended for peaceful civilian purposes.
Joshua Blakeney, staff writer from Veterans Today; joins Press TV to share his opinions on the issue of the US president’s State of the Union Speech.
What follows is an approximate transcript of the interview.
Press TV: Joshua Blakeney thank you so much for joining us. Let us go directly to the first question which starts with what the US president in the State of the Union address said and is it really a disinformation and that is that, Iran is on the path of acquiring a nuclear weapon?
Blakeney: Yes, it was a quite myopic speech, coming from the president of the United States. I mean, I found it particularly telling that he made the statement that “the world was once divided and”, thanks to him, “the world is now united on the question of Iran.”
I am having some feedback, I apologize. But the reality is of course that the Non-Aligned Movement – which is consisted of a 120 nations – issued a statement just eight days ago in which they endorsed Iranian sovereignty and expressed their hostility towards the US encroaching on Iranian sovereignty.
And therefore that was one utterance from the President of the United States that was evidently false.
Obama forgot to mention in his State of the Union address that the 120 members of the Non-Aligned-Movement support Iranian sovereignty and denounce US-Israeli hostility towards Iran
Obviously the insinuation that Iran is trying to acquire nuclear weapons is buttressed by no evidence and of course the IAEA, [International Atomic Energy Agency], any statements they have made in which they have indirectly implied this, has been inferred from evidence, so called, provided to them by itsmember states like the United States and Israel and Britain and therefore their statements are not reliable at all.
Iran clearly is trying to develop a civilian nuclear program, like France has; like many countries in the world have; which is completely justifiable and indeed legal.
And so the president of the United States I think reflected not necessarily his own perspective but those of his backers. You know, the United States political system is one where money speaks; in a capitalist system those who own capital have political clout.
And the statements that Barack Obama made vis-à-vis the Middle East, and really in general to do with domestic economics also, I believe, were the product of his backers.
And we know who is supporting the Democrat Party financially and what their agenda is in terms of Middle East policy.
And that in my humble opinion is to promote the interest of the state of Israel, often in fact jeopardizing traditional US-Middle East policy which was to try and do bilateral negotiations within ensconced Middle East regimes. And therefore this speech has to go down as an embarrassment.
And in fact if you look, if you go to about an hour, into Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address in about an hour into it, you will see that when he mentions Iran and when he mentions his ironclad support for the State of Israel, that actually only about half of the Congress persons clapped which might indicate that there is some discontent with this tendentious policy of the United States towards the State of Israel.
Press TV: Joshua Blakeney, this all options on the table is something again perhaps, maybe because of a reelection year for Obama maybe its a signal and some say for the Israeli lobby at the same time the great length that the United States is going to get sanctions on Iran.
We know that they have made and introduced the sanctions, trying to get EU [European Union] which they got their approval even though it’s at the behest of Europe in terms of what they are going through regarding the Euro zone crisis, of course going with his co-worker [US Secretary of the Treasury] Timothy Geithner all the way to China and we saw what happened there regarding getting China on board and of course then with India.
I mean what is it that the US president means with this ‘all options on the table’?
Blakeney: Well, I think it is largely empty rhetoric from the President of the United States and I think there is a tendency among the political class to think if they repeat something as many times as possible that it would begin to be true.
And Barrack Obama said in his State of the Union address that the world is now united against Iran and that is patently false, is Venezuela against Iran? Is China against Iran? Is the Non-Aligned Movement of 120 nations against Iran?
I do not think so, so we are seeing the decline of Anglo-America and this kind of Euro- American imperialist world that the planet has been victim of for the past 500 years really since 1492 and we are living in a multipolar world now, one where Iran has some agency.
China and Iran continue to trade with each other irrespective of the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and E.U.
And if the European Union and the United States wants to work in Israel’s interests and against its own interests of doing commercial dealings with Iran, then Iran will go elsewhere and trade its resources and goods with other nations which I think is a good thing. I think it is good that we are living in a multipolar world.
One of the intellectuals authors of the “war on terror” was an individual named Charles Krauthammer, who in 1990 authored a paper entitled The Unipolar Moment, in which he said, oh this moment after the Soviet Union has declined US must jumped on it, because it won’t be there for ever.
And that unipolar moment, you know, metastasized into the invasion of Iraq and the invasion of Afghanistan. But I believe that actually they cannot invade and attack Iran because they are bereft of soldiers for a start; they’re overstretched militarily, the United States, and moreover Iran has a capability to defend itself. Press TV: So what is it [the US] trying to do there when it keeps saying it Joshua Blakeney, I mean, some say well it is a distraction from the problems that he [Obama] is facing at home. And I am talking about the Occupy movement, do you agree with that?
Joshua Blakeney and Mark Glenn critically analyze Barak Obama’s State of the Union speech on Press TV.
Iran is on the right side of history contributing to the success of the Bolivarian Revolution in Latin America. Iran and many nations in Latin America are at the forefront of the resistance to the international imperialism of the US, Britain and Israel
Blakeney: Yes, to an extent. You know it offers a scapegoat, a smokescreen to distract people. So I do agree to a large extent with what my colleague said.
You know the fact of the matter is that US politicians need to pander and Kowtow to the Israel lobby in the United States.
JJ Goldberg did a study in the 1990′s in which he deduced that 45% of Democrat party donations came from individuals who are partisan to the State of Israel.
And in 2006 Richard Cohen did a study in the Washington Post, in which he indicated 60% of the Democrat Party [money] comes from individuals whose primary allegiance is to the state of Israel.
So if 60% of the Barack Obama’s money is coming from individuals whose first priority is Israel, is it very surprising that Barack Obama would have this so called ‘ironclad’ consensus with the state of Israel?
I think that this is historically precedented, if you look in 1965 for example, when the British empire was trying to extend self determination and self rule to the inhabitants of the Rhodesia, the natives of Rhodesia, we saw the local crazed ethnic nationalists form a schism in the British empire and rise up and declare independence likewise the US after the Cold War had no use for Israel anymore.
The divergence between a rational U.S. Middle East policy and the Israeli Middle East policy of denying Arabs and Muslims cohesion and stability is analogous with the divergence of interests between the declining British Empire and regional Rhodesian white ethnic nationalists in 1965 (as portrayed from 5 mins 52 seconds in the above video). ]
After 1967 Israel proved itself to be a formidable fighting force and within the context of the Cold War the United States could use Israel to smash up this or that Arab nation or to extend its Middle East policy.
After the Cold War what use did the US have for Israel or for South Africa? In the case of South Africa, the Afrikaners did not have a lobby in the United States and so the US cast them adrift in the 1980′s and the VETO they provided them in the United Nations dissipated.
Unfortunately, what would have been logical and rational from the perspective of US hegemony who would obviously want to win over Middle East governments to resist the hegemony of the …..
Press TV: Joshua Blakeney, the US president said that this is the right time for the United States to be on the right side of the Middle East.
Is the US on the right side of the Middle East? Quickly [we have] twenty seconds or less.
Blakeney: No, it is definitely not. In the 1980s the Israeli government formulated a new policy of wanting to destabilize the Middle East which goes against US oil interests, against the US rational interests as a global hegemon.
On 4 February 2012, the media organizations of the War Party unanimously announced more than 200 deaths in Homs – a city “bleeding” -, the torture of children and “relentless” bombing. We are supposed to be witnessing the “most terrifying massacre” since the beginning of the “revolt“. Spontaneously, attacks were triggered during the night against the Syrian embassies in Washington, Cairo, Kuwait and London.
Press TV: Joshua Blakeney, this all options on the table is something again perhaps, maybe because of a reelection year for Obama maybe its a signal and some say for the Israeli lobby at the same time the great length that the United States is going to get sanctions on Iran.
