Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., January 13, 2009 Tevet 17, 5769 | | Israel Time: 17:51 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni meeting with U.S. Under Secretary Stuart Levey in Jerusalem on Sunday. (Flash 90)
Last update - 00:00 04/03/2007
U.S. official: EU, China reluctant to impose sanctions on Iran
By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service

The United States is finding it difficult to enlist the support of key EU nations and China for imposing economic sanctions, U.S. Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey said on Sunday.

Levey, arrived in Israel on Sunday for talks on using economic sanctions to step up the pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.

In a meeting with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni Israel, he discussed Israel's and the U.S.'s joint effort to stop the flow of weapons from states that support terror to terror organizations. The effort will focus first and foremost on Iran.
Advertisement
Livni and Levey met Sunday in order to consolidate a decisive line within European states against financial institutions which conduct business with Iran. Olmert and Livni updated the American statesman during their talks with information on Iran's methods of transferring funds to Hezbollah and Hamas.

Israeli and American officials began a series of talks Sunday on measures that will target companies and banks involved with Iranian businesses that have ties to Tehran's nuclear program or provide assistance to Hezbollah and Palestinian militant organizations.

Levey was also to hold talks with senior officials in Mossad, the Foreign Ministry, the National Security Council, and the Atomic Energy Commission.

Olmert informed the Bush Administration recently that he intended to appoint an official who will focus exclusively on the economic effort against Iran. As a result, the Forum for Preventive Diplomacy, headed by Mossad chief Meir Dagan, was bolstered with economic experts.

The Israeli officials will hear Sunday updates on the American efforts to convince European and other firms to avoid doing business with Iran.

Israel in turn will offer the visiting U.S. officials assistance in identifying firms that work with Iran and the trail of Iranian funding to nuclear and terrorist activities.

Levey believes that imposing a boycott on the banking and trading system of Iran would be much more effective than sanctions. It would not require long diplomatic efforts or complex legislation. It would be sufficient for the administration to announce that a company or a bank is on a black list, and they are immediately cut off from the American financial system, are unable to trade in dollars or make deals with banks in the U.S.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Levey said that Section 311 added to the Patriot Act several years ago, "has been more powerful than many thought possible." Section 311 authorizes the Treasury to mark a foreign financial institution a "primary money laundering concern," effectively choking it off from the U.S. financial system.

Levey's boss, Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt, said that the boycott on banks is particularly effective because of the effects of globalization, which link all financial institutions in the world to the same network.

"As banks do their risk-reward analysis, they must now take into account the very serious risk of doing business in Iran, and what the risks would be if they were found to be part of a terrorist or proliferation transaction," says Kimmitt.

The first Iranian bank to be blacklisted was Bank Saderat, which is owned by the Iranian government and which was accused of transferring $50 million to Hamas since 2001.

In January 2007, Bank Sepah was also blacklisted and accused of transfering funds for Iran's ballistic missile projects.

In recent months Levey and other American officials held talks with bank managers and finance ministers around the world, warning them of the possible implications of doing business with Iran.

Our goal, Levey says, is "to create an internal debate about whether these policies [of defiance] make sense. And that's happening in Iran. People with business sense realize that this conduct makes it hard to continue normal business relationships."

Related article
  • Iran to issue new banknote with atomic symbol
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    From the bunker
    Hamas says Gaza won't break, victory over Israel is near.
    Banned
    Israel bans Arab parties from running in upcoming elections.
      1.   Iran, being one of the most dangerous forces to world peace today 08:08  |  Nadav 04/03/07
      2.   The mural 09:18  |  Maureen Ann 04/03/07
      3.   Israel deserves sanctions just as Iran 09:45  |  Sam 04/03/07
      4.   if russia crumbled , iran is nothing 09:51  |  reuven 04/03/07
      5.   The real threat to world peace is not Iran, and never will be! 10:06  |  A friend 04/03/07
      6.   #2 Maureen Ann 10:13  |  Marco 04/03/07
      7.   To No.1 and 4 10:25  |  Ilan 04/03/07
      8.   The two main conspirators against Iran 10:32  |  Clickfool 04/03/07
      9.   The total failure of the American bluff 10:36  |  Clickfool 04/03/07
      10.   For Reuven, in Cloud Cuckoo Land # 4 10:39  |  Clickfool 04/03/07
      11.   #1, Nadav 10:47  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 04/03/07
      12.   Sounds like a job for Annan`s corrupted oil for food program 10:49  |  Joseph E . 04/03/07
      13.   Nadav, lies, lies and more lies from you 10:49  |  gus 04/03/07
      14.   Beast 10:52  |  Da 04/03/07
      15.   Reuven, what about Israel? Danger all around 10:54  |  gus 04/03/07
      16.   Sanctions will not work 10:56  |  Jonathan S 04/03/07
      17.   Iran, AND the LEFTIST-APOLIGISTS 11:08  |  Josue 04/03/07
      18.   TO #1 NADAV AND SIMILAR 11:36  |  VIPER 04/03/07
      19.   Third time I`ve asked Jonathan S this question # 16 11:39  |  Clickfool 04/03/07
      20.   #2 THE MURAL OF TOTAL STUPIDITY IS REPEATED 11:42  |  paul harris 04/03/07
      21.   For Josue # 17 11:42  |  Clickfool 04/03/07
      22.   GUS has the right thinking 11:43  |  VIPER 04/03/07
      23.   Cipora Julianna Kohn, hag purim sameah to you as well (we, in ... 11:56  |  Nadav 04/03/07
      24.   PEACEFUL NUKE 12:01  |  Mario Fiorito 04/03/07
      25.   Further proof Israel is at the center of ME problems 12:11  |  Guy From NYC 04/03/07
      26.   Is this to prove that the US is under Israeli orders on Iran? 12:11  |  Michael 04/03/07
      27.   Further proof Israel is at the center of ME problems 12:11  |  Guy From NYC 04/03/07
      28.   Down with islamofacist IRAN 12:27  |  superswede 04/03/07
      29.   # 3 Sam @ Boston , " Enjoy Haman ear cookie " 12:55  |  Joseph E . Post 1 04/03/07
      30.   # 3 Sam @ Boston , " Enjoy Haman ear cookie 12:57  |  Joseph E . post 2 04/03/07
      31.   #1 Nadav 12:57  |  Racon-tour 04/03/07
      32.   The Tail Wagging the Dog 13:05  |  Darwish 04/03/07
      33.   #25 THE GUY IS BACK BUT MAKES NO MORE SENSE !! 13:07  |  paul harris 04/03/07
      34.   Paul Harris the clueless 13:21  |  Josh 04/03/07
      35.   And the economic cost to Israel is? 13:29  |  Chris Linthwaite 04/03/07
      36.   #32 Answer: after we finish getting 13:31  |  ballistic 04/03/07
      37.   US PROGRAMS 13:49  |  Mario Fiorito 04/03/07
      38.   HAVE A BIG MOUTH ISN`T A SIN 13:54  |  indrajaya 04/03/07
      39.   Racon-tour - why do you care about this issue? 13:54  |  Leah Yavin 04/03/07
      40.   shouting in the wind of world trade 14:30  |  bram 04/03/07
      41.   Iran/Purim/Israel & last night`s lunar eclipse 14:33  |  Matthew Russell 04/03/07
      42.   Superswede 14:35  |  Derek 04/03/07
      43.   #34 JOSH THE EXPERT ON ARGUMENTS CHIPS IN !! 14:41  |  paul harris 04/03/07
      44.   Irony: Israel haters do nothing but read israeli news lol 14:44  |  Arty 04/03/07
      45.   # 11 Cipora Julianna Kohn 15:24  |  Lynn 04/03/07
      46.   Last year 15:25  |  Mark Lincoln 04/03/07
      47.   gus 15:28  |  Lynn 04/03/07
      48.   A fourth answer for ClickFOOL 15:28  |  Jonathan S 04/03/07
      49.   Lack Of Direction Right Now! What I Suggest! 15:32  |  Yosemite 04/03/07
      50.   Darwish 15:45  |  Lynn 04/03/07
      51.   What a minute 15:49  |  CHGODMK 04/03/07
      52.   How many "non-Jews" worship the God of Israel? 15:58  |  To # 41 04/03/07
      53.   ballistic 16:03  |  Lynn 04/03/07
      54.   Indrajaya 16:11  |  Lynn 04/03/07
      55.   Very Interesting Matt at no.41 16:17  |  Josh Lukeman 04/03/07
      56.   # 38 From the HEART the mouth speaks. 16:24  |  Yes, his words are 04/03/07
      57.   leah yavin- on the reality of talkback 16:35  |  bev 04/03/07
      58.   # 38 Uncivilized behavior? So is "Force of Will" and murder. 16:55  |  Islam...Wake up 04/03/07
      59.   # 52 And we all know what happened to Haman. 17:01  |  History repeats 04/03/07
      60.   # 58 And all the world is aware!!! 17:18  |  Why the "kit gloves" 04/03/07
      61.   # 59 is to # 55, not 52 17:24  |  Yes,interesting site 04/03/07
      62.   ALL WE NEED IS LOVE 17:26  |  LOVE, 04/03/07
      63.   Bev # 57 17:51  |  Leah Yavin 04/03/07
      64.   This is the third day, the day that will be shortened. 17:52  |  He Lives 04/03/07
      65.   There is not a thousand years between us and 18:01  |  Judgement Day 04/03/07
      66.   # 49 Yosemite Sam is right 18:30  |  The Equalizer 04/03/07
      67.   # 23 Nadav.re:Cipora J.K 18:41  |  Kath` 04/03/07
      68.   Stop celebrating Purim all the year long! 18:44  |  Jonathan S 04/03/07
      69.   For Jonathan S # 48, on his blockade plan 18:59  |  Clickfool 04/03/07
      70.   And so we beckon Him, Come Lord Jesus 19:00  |  in every language 04/03/07
      71.   To usefull Clickfool...stop coming again... 19:39  |  The 72... 04/03/07
      72.   Kath`, thank you, and hag sameah to you as well. 19:44  |  Nadav 04/03/07
      73.   For ClickFOOL about the blockade in his head 20:03  |  Jonathan S 04/03/07
      74.   # 35 Chris Linthwaite 20:05  |  Joseph E . 04/03/07
      75.   Jonathan S, they are preparing 20:13  |  Tulip 04/03/07
      76.   #53 Lynn; what hypocrisy. 20:25  |  ballistic 04/03/07
      77.   re: #70.............Maranatha! 20:46  |  I agree 04/03/07
      78.   in exchange for more withdrawals.. 21:35  |  Flax 04/03/07
      79.   For Tulip # 72 21:36  |  Clickfool 04/03/07
      80.   #39 Leah Yavin 21:53  |  Racon-tour 04/03/07
      81.   #`57 Bev 22:11  |  Racon-tour 04/03/07
      82.   Or, we could go back to chest-thumping. 22:35  |  Colin Wright 04/03/07
      83.   re #4 `if russia crumbled then Iran is nothing.` 22:49  |  Colin Wright 04/03/07
      84.   # 77 We are One. What means maranatha? 22:52  |  Remember 04/03/07
      85.   #2 Have you said thank you 23:10  |  TOBIA 04/03/07
      86.   Maranatha: Beckoning in the language He spoke. 23:12  |  Thank you for that 04/03/07
      87.   #70 It Wil Take 23:16  |  TOBIA 04/03/07
      88.   The alternative to sanction 23:29  |  Brod 04/03/07
      89.   Born of the Jews, speaking in the tongue of an Arab 23:31  |  Reconciliation 04/03/07
      90.   DONT MESS WITH MUSLIMS GUS 23:32  |  TOBIA 04/03/07
      91.   racon-tour 23:37  |  bev 04/03/07
      92.   VERY BAD PUBLICITY 23:44  |  Arik Silverman 04/03/07
      93.   # 87 He never died, not even to this day... 23:51  |  He Lives 04/03/07
      94.   # 76 ballistic 23:52  |  Lynn 04/03/07
      95.   # 89 requires a higher understanding, it does not 00:03  |  Precept 05/03/07
      96.   #6 Marco, and what are you suggesting... 00:07  |  Maureen Ann 05/03/07
      97.   To Jonathan 00:13  |  Samir Salameh 05/03/07
      98.   #4 reuven You forgot China... 00:29  |  Maureen Ann 05/03/07
      99.   Acting in their best interest 00:35  |  Mark Lincoln 05/03/07
      100.   Iran`s New Banknote! 00:36  |  Maureen Ann 05/03/07
      101.   Axis of evil. 00:52  |  Racon-tour 05/03/07
      102.   Clickfool "Your the Fool" 00:53  |  Cheryl 05/03/07
      103.   Hay G. Bush, Hay Ulmart Time To Bomb China You People Are Idiots 01:42  |  james 05/03/07
      104.   Another Elephant and Flea meeting 01:53  |  Rachel Corrie 05/03/07
      105.   for 98 JAMES vs "the trigger happy"! 03:03  |  Mario Fiorito 05/03/07
      106.   @97, samir salameh, you can tray to infiltrate 03:32  |  vladimir 05/03/07
      107.   #102, CHERYL is beleiving bush`s propaganda 03:44  |  VIPER 05/03/07
      108.   #93 He lives 04:12  |  Tobia 05/03/07
      109.   P.S, america should stay out of the M.E and others 04:38  |  VIPER 05/03/07
      110.   Messiah, Beautiful Savour 05:23  |  Cheryl 05/03/07
      111.   Viper 05:41  |  Cheryl 05/03/07
      112.   #98 Maureen Pt 1 08:18  |  Chiang 05/03/07
      113.   #98 Maureen Part 2 08:26  |  Chiang 05/03/07
      114.   Jews are no different to Arabs 09:15  |  Cyrus the Great 05/03/07
      115.   #103 James 10:04  |  Willy 05/03/07
      116.   #41 Mathew Russell 10:46  |  Cyrus the Great 05/03/07
      117.   Nuke Iran now! 12:35  |  cohen 05/03/07
      118.   The passion of Holocust 12:42  |  Cohen 05/03/07
      119.   No Israeil = NO PROBLEM IN M.E. 12:42  |  Adel 05/03/07
      120.   #118 Cohen; read your post; it too is sobering. 18:59  |  ballistic 05/03/07
      121.   Israel is nothing with the US & EU 20:14  |  Aaron Johnson 05/03/07
      122.   #111, cheryl, good try again 13:05  |  VIPER 06/03/07
      123.   gaza 17:39  |  no more war 13/01/09
     Read & React
    Bradley Burston / Gaza War Diary IV - Can people die of ambivalence?
    Responses: 37
    Amos Harel with IDF in Gaza / 'Let's finish what we started'
    Responses: 59
    Ari Shavit: World cannot, must not condemn our war on Hamas
    Responses: 78
    U.S. arms shipment to Israel canceled due to Gaza conflict
    Responses: 10
    Yoel Marcus: It's not Israel's fault it has a strong, well-run army
    Responses: 39


    More Headlines
    17:43 IDF Chief: Hamas suicide bombers posing as Israeli troops in Gaza
    17:42 At least 10 Gaza rockets strike Negev, one near Ashkelon school
    17:29 Barak: Gaza op to continue amid diplomatic efforts for truce
    17:26 Clinton: U.S. must address Israel's security and Palestinian aspirations
    15:46 IDF officer critically hurt as army pushes deeper into Gaza City
    16:16 Palestinian shot while trying to grab Border Policeman's gun
    11:14 'Let's finish what we started'
    13:14 WATCH: IDF says Hamas has professionalized use of human shields in Gaza
    14:41 A week after expelling Israeli officials over Gaza op, Venezuela looks to repair ties
    15:41 Report: Hamas agrees to Turkey troops on Gaza-Egypt border
    18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email
    11:16 ANALYSIS / Neither Israel nor Hamas can be choosy in Gaza
    16:31 Jordan denies gunmen shot at Border Police patrol on Israel border
    08:51 U.S. arms shipment to Israel canceled due to Gaza conflict
    13:10 UN's Ban heads to Mideast to press Gaza truce resolution
    12:49 Hamas' take on the Gaza war? Watch it on YouTube
    11:17 ANALYSIS / World cannot, must not condemn our war on Hamas
    14:49 It's not Israel's fault it has a strong, well-run army
    08:07 Amira Hass / Gazans trapped in no man's land between fire, farmlands
    15:20 For one doctor, volunteering for reserves means being close to IDF soldier sons
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved