Huntsman Fails to Explain Sale of Potential Dual-Use Material in Iran

New York, NY - United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) today called again on Huntsman to explain its sale of polyurethanes in Iran.  On December 2, 2009, Huntsman replied to UANI's original letter.  In responding to UANI, however, Huntsman failed to address the key concerns that UANI raised in its initial correspondence regarding Huntsman's questionable business in Iran.  Moreover, Huntsman neglected to confirm that the polyurethanes it sells in Iran cannot be used for military purposes.  UANI maintains that Huntsman's decision to do business in Iran is wrong and urges Huntsman to stop doing business in Iran.

In a letter to Mr. James Moore, the Corporate Compliance Officer and Deputy General Counsel for Huntsman, UANI President, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace wrote: "In our letter, we clearly stated that we believe your decision to do business in Iran is wrong.  Your response was that your business in Iran is in full compliance with U.S. law.  However, as you know the technical compliance with law has little to do with the inappropriateness of your work in Iran... 

"Moreover, Huntsman's sales in Iran are a powerful undercut to any effort at persuasion that U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman might employ to convince the Chinese government to impose sanctions on Iran - a key aspect of his diplomatic portfolio.  How can it be that Ambassador Huntsman could persuade the Chinese government to impose further economic sanctions on Iran when his namesake former company continues to do business in Iran?

"You further assert that Huntsman polyurethanes are intended to be used for civilian applications such as automotive seating.  We have no doubt that Huntsman polyurethanes have benign civilian uses.  However, we question your inability to clearly confirm that such polyurethanes cannot be used for military purposes.  You answer this question by saying that Huntsman does not believe the sale of these polyurethanes has any relevance to Iran's nuclear program.  Are you, therefore, unable to verify whether there could be potential dual-use/military use for such polyurethanes? 

"We maintain our belief that your decision to do business in Iran is wrong and in contradiction to your own Business Conduct Guidelines.

"We urge Huntsman to stop doing business in Iran." 

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