UANI

The Jerusalem Post reported on the Western firms' at Iran's Oil Show and quoted a UANI official on the affect of firms business in Iran. "The Jerusalem Post has learned that German companies have representatives attending Iran's 14th International Exhibition of Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Industries taking place in Teheran this week.... Many Western energy companies, including France's Total, were attending the show, the Middle East Newsline Web site reported. The exhibition attracted a record turnout of 450 foreign companies - 25 percent more than in 2008 - including five unidentified US firms, the organizers said, according to the site.... Speaking from New York City, Joe Kildea of United Against Nuclear Iran told the Post, 'These companies are undermining the sanctions and international efforts to stop Iran on its path toward nuclear weapons and support of terrorism. The energy industry gives Iran money it needs to destabilize the Middle East. At this time, Iran is economically in dire straits and looking for any source of income.' Kildea urged companies to recognize their social responsibilities and not 'trade short-term profits for security.'" (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710776133&pagename=JPost%...)

Reuters reported that "Suppliers, brokers, insurers and tankers carrying gasoline to Iran could face U.S. sanctions if a bill making the rounds in the U.S. House of Representatives finds support, lawmakers say.... Kirk, along with 24 other legislators, introduced the Iran Diplomatic Enhancement Act late Wednesday as a move to gain leverage over Iran and compel the country to heed global demands to halt its nuclear program.... The bill identified six companies that Iran bought most of its gasoline from in the past year. They include the Swiss firms Vitol and Glencore International [GLEN.UL], the Swiss and Dutch firm Trafigura, France's Total (TOTF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), BP (BP.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and India's Reliance Industries (RELI.BO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)." (http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2334359920090423)

The Australian reported that "Tension between the two major Muslim powers in the Middle East have resulted in unprecedented rhetoric, with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak warning Iran of Cairo's wrath if it tries to undermine Egyptian security interests." (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25381725-2703,00.html)

AFP reported that "The European Union will urge Iran to take advantage of a change in US policy to seal a deal and end the standoff over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, according to a draft document Friday. EU foreign ministers, at a meeting in Luxembourg Monday, will welcome Washington's new attitude saying it creates a 'window of opportunity' for talks on Iran's atomic programme and other issues, the document said." (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hq4P_rV3cbZLQFvVRYayo...)

The Philadelphia Bulletin reported that "Pennsylvania’s Public School Employees’ Retirement System, its State Employees’ Retirement System and its treasury will not have the ability to invest in Iran- or Sudan-tied companies if Mr. Shapiro’s bill becomes law. The representative believes such a move could advance the U.S. government’s goal to dissuade the two nations from continuing to back terrorist organizations." (http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/04/23/news/local_state/doc49f041275e...)

Reuters reported that "Iran warned U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon against "double standards" on Thursday after he deplored anti-Israeli comments by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a U.N. conference this week." (http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN2333805620090423)

Richard Beeston wrote in the UK Times that "Welcome to Iran, now marking 30 tumultuous years since the Islamic revolution and facing an identity crisis as it ponders middle age. True, the country is young and energetic and has a strong sense of its culture and heritage. It is also endowed with huge energy resources. But power still resides in the grey-haired clerics whose policies have provoked international sanctions and pariah status in the West. Many Iranians still struggle to find work and feed their families in the face of double-digit inflation." (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/a...)

Bob Feferman wrote in Real Clear World that "The premise that Iran's key motivating factor is survival ignores the events of the past 30 years. Look at the list of Iranian sponsored terror attacks over this period, and you'll understand that these events had nothing to do with the "survival" of the Iranian regime. Indeed, the Islamic Republic of Iran has a much more sinister agenda in mind." (http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2009/04/the_looming_threat_of_a_n...)

Claudia Rosett wrote in Forbes that "The despot-heavy U.N. General Assembly designed this Durban Review conference from the start as a vehicle for anti-Semitism, anti-Americanism and an array of other U.N. campaigns targeting free societies--such as a global gag on free speech about Islam. Ultimately, this drew two big responses. President Barack Obama's administration, to his credit, confirmed last week that the U.S.--chief sugar-daddy to the U.N.--would join Canada, Israel and a handful of other nations in boycotting the conference." (http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/22/conference-on-racism-durban-opinions-co...)