[wanabidii] LETTER TO PRESIDENT JAKAYA KIKWETE ON RE-FLAGGING IRAN TANKERS

Dear President Kikwete,

I am writing to express my deep dismay that Tanzania has permitted the
National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), to reflag at least 6 and as
many as 10 of its vessels under the Tanzanian ship registry, allowing
them to remain under NITC ownership and continuing to transport Iran's
crude oil exports. This action by your government has the effect of
assisting the Iranian regime in evading U.S. and EU sanctions and
generating additional revenues for its nuclear enrichment and weapons
research programs and its support for international terrorism.

It is profoundly disappointing to me to learn that your government has
acted in contravention of the broad international coalition that is
working together to use peaceful means, including economic sanctions,
to change the threatening behavior of the Iranian regime. The decision
to accept the re-flagging of NITC vessels casts a shadow over
Tanzania's international reputation.

I respectfully request that Tanzania cancel the re-flagging of the
NITC vessels. Given the close and cooperative relationship that our
two governments now enjoy, it would be unfortunate if this action were
permitted to stand.

It would be preferable that Tanzania take this action of its own
accord. However, your government should take note of President Obama's
Executive Order 13608, signed May 1, 2012, which provides for the
imposition of sanctions on any entity worldwide, including foreign
governments, that assists Iran in evading U.S. sanctions. In my view,
reflagging Iranian oil tankers falls within the scope of sanctionable
activity under that Executive Order. In addition, if Tanzania were to
allow Iranian vessels to remain under Tanzanian registry, we in the
Congress would have no choice but to consider whether to continue the
range of bi-lateral U.S. programs with Tanzania.

Sincerely,

Howard Berman
Ranking Democrat, House Foreign Affairs Committee

--
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