FROM SIEMENS TO IRAN WITH LOVE….COMPRESSORS FOR NUCLEAR PROGAM
Der Spiegel: Siemens supports Iran’s nuke efforts
German magazine reports customs officials seize goods meant for Iran’s nuclear program
Sarah Stricker
Published: 12.12.09, 22:37 / Israel News
Is Siemens helping Iran? German customs officials intercepted a Siemens shipment of compressors on its way to Iran, Der Spiegel reported Saturday.
According to the German magazine, the compressors sent by Siemens are worth an estimated 16 million Euros and were apparently meant to be used as part of Iran’s nuclear program.
The German government is now weighing its next moves vis-Ã -vis Siemens, which has apparently violated international commerce regulations. However, a Treasury spokeswoman said she cannot confirm the report at this time.
The compressors, which were sent from Sweden, were nabbed by customs officials in Hamburg en route to Iran, Der Spiegel said. According to the report, the shipment in question was part of a larger transaction between the German giant and Iran, worth roughly 80 million Euros.
Siemens officials declined to directly address the report, but denied allegations that the company violated the law in any way. A spokesman on behalf of the corporation said its business activities only serve civilian aims and are undertaken in line with international regulations.
According to reports that surfaced several months ago, Siemens and Finnish company Nokia sold technology for monitoring phone calls and e-mail messages to Tehran, against the backdrop of opposition protests and in the wake of the controversial presidential elections in Iran.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3818869,00.html
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