EU puts sanctions on Iranian human rights violators

LUXEMBOURG: European Union governments imposed punitive measures on Tuesday on more than 30 Iranian officials blamed for human rights abuses in Iran, broadening the sanctions programme against Tehran.

The new steps include travel restrictions and asset freezes — limits the EU has already imposed on people closely involved in Tehran’s nuclear programme.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague, attending a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday, said Iran’s human rights record was “appalling”.

“Iran seems to believe that with all the change happening in the Middle East they can get away with an even worse human rights situation in their country,” he told reporters.

“They have imprisoned opposition leaders, there is detention of more journalists than in any other country in the world, and excessive use of the death penalty.”

In its annual report on global human rights last week, the U.S. State Department said Iran had executed about 312 people in 2010, many after trials conducted in secret.

In many cases people who were executed for supposedly criminal offences such as drug trafficking were actually political dissidents, the report said.

Authorities held political prisoners and continued to crack down on women’s rights reformers, campaigners for ethnic minority rights, student activists and religious minorities.

EU sanctions focus mostly on economic and trade measures aiming to force Iran to slow its nuclear programme, which Tehran says serves peaceful purposes but Western powers worry aims to produce weapons.

The United States already targets human rights violators in Iran, through a sanctions list that also includes economic and other measures targeting nuclear work. AGENCIES

US Prepares New Proposal for Iran Talks

WASHINGTON: The United States warned Thursday that Iran’s continued uranium enrichment meant that any new offer by world powers on its nuclear program would be more burdensome than one it had already rejected.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said increased expectations required for any deal reflected the fact that Iran’s enriched uranium stocks were now larger than they were when previous talks broke down last year.

“Based on the unilateral actions that they took, they have increased their enrichment,” Gibbs said.

“In order to live up to the responsibilities that they have made and to lift any sanctions, they would have great responsibilities,” Gibbs said.

“The responsibilities get greater each and every day even as the sanctions impact their economy more and more.”

Gibbs spoke after the New York Times reported that the Obama administration and its European allies were preparing a new, more onerous offer for Iran than the one rejected by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last year.

The offer would require Iran to send more than 4,400 pounds of (1,995 kilograms) of low-enriched uranium out of the country, an increase of more than two-thirds from the amount required under a deal struck in Vienna.

“This will be a first sounding about whether the Iranians still think they can tough it out or are ready to negotiate,” an unnamed senior American official told the newspaper.

West imposes sanctions on Pakistan after using it: Taseer

Governor Punjab Salman Taseer has said that whenever Europe and US need Pakistan, it becomes their favourite and as soon as their motive as achieved, all the sanctions are then imposed on Pakistan.
Addressing a ceremony of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, Governor said that Federal Government must complete its tenure of five years. He said that Pakistani nation has proved by fighting against the terrorism, earthquake and flood. Governor also told that only 15% of international aid has been so far utilised for flood victims; where as Pakistani nation has used its own resources to rehabilitate 90% of flood victims. He also said that Pakistan badly needs to build dams such as Kalabagh Dam in order to fkourish the industries running in Pakistan.

Israel faces Arab nuclear pressure at IAEA meetings

VIENNA: Arab states backed by Iran are poised to target Israel over its assumed atomic arsenal at U.N. nuclear watchdog meetings this month, despite U.S. warnings this may hamper broader steps to ban such weapons in the Middle East.

Growing Western suspicions about Iranian and Syrian nuclear activities are also likely to prompt heated debate during two weeks of board and assembly meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) starting on Sept. 13 in Vienna.

IAEA reports prepared before the sessions said Iran was thrusting ahead with its disputed nuclear programme in defiance of tougher sanctions on the major oil producer, and that Syrian stonewalling was undermining a probe into a bombed desert site.

Expressing frustration at Iran’s failure to address concerns about possible efforts to develop an atomic weapon, which Tehran denies, the U.N. body

Iran rejects IAEA criticism over lack of cooperation

TEHRAN: Iran has the right to reject U.N. inspectors who give “false” information about its nuclear program, a senior official said on Tuesday, rejecting criticism by the U.N. atomic watchdog.

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, obtained by Reuters in Vienna on Monday, said the Islamic Republic was hampering its work in the country by barring some of its inspectors with Iran-specific experience.

The watchdog also voiced continued concern about possible activities in Iran to develop a nuclear-armed missile and urged Tehran to step up cooperation with the IAEA and grant access to relevant sites, equipment and personnel “without further delay”.

Washington, which accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons and spearheaded the adoption of tougher sanctions on Tehran in June, called the latest IAEA report “troubling”.

Iranian

Facebook launches Web page devoted to online safety

SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook on Monday launched a Web page devoted to staying safe on the Internet.

The “Safety Page” will highlight news and initiatives focused on ways people can keep data secure at the world”s leading online social-networking community, Joe Sullivan of Facebook said in a blog post.

The new page was intended to augment a virtual Safety Center that Facebook introduced in April and was based on a “security page” that boasted more than 2.2 million “fans” as of Monday.

“Online safety is a shared responsibility,” Sullivan said. “We”ll continue to think of innovative ways to promote safety on our service and elsewhere on the Web.”

The number of people using Facebook topped the 500 million mark last week, meaning one in every 14 people on the planet has now signed up to the social netowork.

The launch of the Safety Page came in the wake of demands by privacy activists that Facebook give users of the booming social network more control over the use of their personal data.

A coalition of privacy groups, in an open letter to Facebook co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg last month, welcomed the social network”s recent overhaul of its privacy controls but said additional steps were needed.

EU, Canada hit Iran with new sanctions, urge nuclear talks

BRUSSELS: The European Union and Canada slapped tough sanctions on Iran”s key energy sector in a bid to block its contested nuclear programme, and the United States said the punitive steps would bite.

European foreign ministers formally adopted the new measures Monday on the oil and gas industries, going beyond a fourth set of UN sanctions imposed over Iran”s refusal to freeze uranium enrichment. Canada then followed suit.

The moves, which follow similar sanctions imposed by the United States, are aimed at reviving moribund talks between Iran and six world powers — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

“Today we sent out a powerful message to Iran, and that message is that their nuclear programme is a cause of serious and growing concern to us,” EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton told reporters.

“But our objective remains, as I have always said, to persuade Iranian leaders that their interest is served by a return to the table. Sanctions are not an end in themselves,” she said.

Iran”s foreign ministry however said the sanctions were not “an effective tool” and would only serve to “complicate” its showdown with the West.

Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi said they would have no impact on oil production because European oil firms had “no presence” in Iran”s energy sector.

The EU measures include a ban on the sale of equipment, technology and services to Iran”s energy sector, hitting activities in refining, liquefied natural gas, exploration and production, diplomats said.

New investments in the energy sector are also banned.

Iran is the world”s fourth largest producer of crude oil, but imports 40 percent of its fuel needs because it lacks enough refining capabilities to meet domestic demand.

The Iranian banking sector was also hit by restrictions, forcing any transactions over 40,000 euros (52,000 dollars) to be authorised by EU governments before they can go ahead.

The United States hailed the move, saying the steps “underscore the international community”s deepening concerns about Iran”s nuclear program.”

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said: “We”ve already begun to see the impact of the sanctions as companies around the world refuse to do business with Iran, rather than to risk becoming involved in Iran”s nuclear program and other illicit activities.”

The identities of those hit by the new measures will be published in the official EU journal on Tuesday. Diplomats said 41 individuals and 22 government entities were concerned.

Canada”s sanctions take aim at Iran”s energy and banking sectors, as well as chemical, biological and nuclear activities, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said.

Canada will also bar all new investment in Iran”s energy industry, particularly crude oil refining and liquefied natural gas.

Ashton has exchanged letters with Iran”s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in recent weeks in a bid to revive talks, and Tehran has indicated that the talks could resume in September.

The last high-level meeting between Iran and the six world powers was held in Geneva in October 2009 when the two sides agreed a nuclear fuel swap that has since stalled.

Western powers have demanded that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment programme, fearing that Tehran would use the material to build a nuclear bomb.

Tehran says its atomic programme is a peaceful drive to produce energy.

Iran”s actions “are bringing it closer and closer to possessing nuclear weapons which represents a threat,” said Cannon.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “Iran”s ongoing refusal to engage constructively on this issue leaves us no option but to implement these sanctions.”

Israel welcomed the sanctions and urged other countries to follow suit.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said at the weekend Tehran was ready to hold immediate talks on a nuclear swap deal brokered by Turkey and Brazil in May.

World powers have given the cold shoulder to that deal, a counter-proposal to the October agreement.

EU, Canada hit Iran with new sanctions, urge nuclear talks

BRUSSELS: The European Union and Canada slapped tough sanctions on Iran”s key energy sector in a bid to block its contested nuclear programme, and the United States said the punitive steps would bite.

European foreign ministers formally adopted the new measures Monday on the oil and gas industries, going beyond a fourth set of UN sanctions imposed over Iran”s refusal to freeze uranium enrichment. Canada then followed suit.

The moves, which follow similar sanctions imposed by the United States, are aimed at reviving moribund talks between Iran and six world powers — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

“Today we sent out a powerful message to Iran, and that message is that their nuclear programme is a cause of serious and growing concern to us,” EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton told reporters.

“But our objective remains, as I have always said, to persuade Iranian leaders that their interest is served by a return to the table. Sanctions are not an end in themselves,” she said.

Iran”s foreign ministry however said the sanctions were not “an effective tool” and would only serve to “complicate” its showdown with the West.

Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi said they would have no impact on oil production because European oil firms had “no presence” in Iran”s energy sector.

The EU measures include a ban on the sale of equipment, technology and services to Iran”s energy sector, hitting activities in refining, liquefied natural gas, exploration and production, diplomats said.

New investments in the energy sector are also banned.

Iran is the world”s fourth largest producer of crude oil, but imports 40 percent of its fuel needs because it lacks enough refining capabilities to meet domestic demand.

The Iranian banking sector was also hit by restrictions, forcing any transactions over 40,000 euros (52,000 dollars) to be authorised by EU governments before they can go ahead.

The United States hailed the move, saying the steps “underscore the international community”s deepening concerns about Iran”s nuclear program.”

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said: “We”ve already begun to see the impact of the sanctions as companies around the world refuse to do business with Iran, rather than to risk becoming involved in Iran”s nuclear program and other illicit activities.”

The identities of those hit by the new measures will be published in the official EU journal on Tuesday. Diplomats said 41 individuals and 22 government entities were concerned.

Canada”s sanctions take aim at Iran”s energy and banking sectors, as well as chemical, biological and nuclear activities, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said.

Canada will also bar all new investment in Iran”s energy industry, particularly crude oil refining and liquefied natural gas.

Ashton has exchanged letters with Iran”s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in recent weeks in a bid to revive talks, and Tehran has indicated that the talks could resume in September.

The last high-level meeting between Iran and the six world powers was held in Geneva in October 2009 when the two sides agreed a nuclear fuel swap that has since stalled.

Western powers have demanded that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment programme, fearing that Tehran would use the material to build a nuclear bomb.

Tehran says its atomic programme is a peaceful drive to produce energy.

Iran”s actions “are bringing it closer and closer to possessing nuclear weapons which represents a threat,” said Cannon.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “Iran”s ongoing refusal to engage constructively on this issue leaves us no option but to implement these sanctions.”

Israel welcomed the sanctions and urged other countries to follow suit.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said at the weekend Tehran was ready to hold immediate talks on a nuclear swap deal brokered by Turkey and Brazil in May.

World powers have given the cold shoulder to that deal, a counter-proposal to the October agreement.

US cautions Pakistan over Iran gas deal

ISLAMABAD: The US warned Pakistan that a recently signed gas pipeline deal with Iran could run afoul of new sanctions being finalized in Congress, the US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan said Sunday.

Richard Holbrooke delivered the message during a visit to Pakistan, his first since Iran inked a contract earlier this month to export 21.5 million cubic meters (760 million cubic feet) of gas per day to Pakistan beginning in 2014.

“We cautioned the Pakistanis to try to see what the (Congressional) legislation is before deciding how to proceed because it would be a disaster if … we had a situation develop where an agreement was reached which then triggered something under the law,” said Holbrooke.

The US Congress is currently finalizing a new set of sanctions largely aimed at Iran”s petroleum industry. Both houses have passed versions of the sanctions and are working to reconcile their differences.

While US officials have expressed opposition to the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline deal, the issue is complicated by Washington”s reliance on Pakistan”s cooperation to fight al-Qaida and the Taliban.

The US also acknowledges that Pakistan faces a severe energy crisis and has made aid to the energy sector one of its top development priorities. Electricity shortages in Pakistan cause rolling blackouts that affect businesses and intensify suffering during the hot summer months.

No need of operation in southern Punjab: Rana

LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Thursday said that situation in southern Punjab is not in a state to give rise to a need for launching an operation in the region and that there exists no ‘no go’ area there.

Speaking on the occasion of luncheon given in the honour of newly elected members of press gallery committee, the Minister said no terrorist will be tolerated in Punjab.

In his fresh critical remarks against Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, he said the temperature of ‘Sasti Roti’ has caught on his (Taseer’s) head.

“He (Governor Punjab) is having an indisposition these days but one should refrain from celebrating an event like a death of an enemy,” he said.

“He (Governor Punjab) is having an indisposition these days but one should refrain from celebrating an event like a death of an enemy,” he said.

He said Salman Taseer will not be given a bullet proof vehicle ‘even if he roams around the streets with a bare chest’. “Governor Punjab uses the Danda (power) and flag Jhanda (flag) of Punjab and at the same does not abstain himself from abusing it,” he continued.

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