Bolton would punish Iran by blocking Persian rugs and pistachio nuts

[bigtree]

Bolton rejects suggestion that the members of the Bush regime are 'unilateralist cowboys'

The Security Council action was intended 'to give the Iranians a clear signal that they were in the spotlight at the center of the U.N. system,' Bolton said. Failure to comply would lead to a 'Chapter Seven resolution which would be legally binding on Iran,' and would obliges them to halt the program. 'It`s a calibrated, gradual, and measured approach,' he added.

But the next step is also in the hands of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.`s nuclear watchdog. It will be up to the agency`s Nobel Prize winning director, Mohamed ElBaradei to decide when to refer the issue back to the Security Council so that a resolution can be passed under Chapter Seven of the U.N. Charter dealing with 'threats to peace, breaches of the peace, and acts of aggression.' A chapter Seven resolution would again give the Iranians time for compliance, and failing that -- Bolton said -- there would be sanctions.

Correspondents noted that Bolton steered clear of any suggestion that force would be used. He said the United States could block importation of Persian rugs and pistachio nuts: both items had slipped into the United States under the wall of existing sanctions. Other possible action included 'looking at illicit international financial transactions by the Iranians.' Other countries would be asked 'to limit travel opportunities' for Iranians.

He said the Iranians had used the three years of negotiations with the E3 European countries firstly to perfect their mastery of nuclear enrichment, and secondly to 'leverage oil and natural gas resources particularly with China and Japan, in a way that reduces the flexibility of these countries.' Despite this, he said, China had been 'considerably more flexible and helpful than Russia.' The Bush administration was frequently depicted as 'unilateralist cowboys,' he went on. But the United States has worked to organize a united response to Iran`s defiant nuclear policy.

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1153354.php/Bolton_will_block_rugs

And, if that doesn't work we'll slaughter countless innocents to get our way . . . didn't I mention that?

[DS1]

1. Rugs and nuts? Is all this guy thinks about is sex?

[oldtime dfl_er]

2. but I can't eat my mangos without pistachios!

Christ, can't they get their act together?

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/1097640

[LostinVA]

3. Bet he'd let in caviar...

[Ian David]

7. The caviar has been banned for years

Last time I had Iranian caviar was at my Bar Mitzva.

It's just as well, since we're harvesting the sturgeon to near extinction anyway.

[LostinVA]

12. I did not know that (I did about the sturgeons being depleted)

[Ian David]

15. I may be wrong... Clinton may have lifted the ban...

DATE=3/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S/IRAN SANCTIONS (L)
NUMBER=2-260289
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO: The United States is easing some sanctions
against Iran in the biggest step Washington has yet
taken toward ending two decades of hostility between
both countries. In addition to allowing Americans to
purchase Iranian goods ranging from carpets to caviar,
Correspondent Nick Simeone reports the Clinton
Administration is expressing regret for some of the
darker chapters in U-S relations with Iran over the
past half century.

TEXT: Three years after Iran's reformist President
Mohammad Khatami took power -- and a month after
reformists gained the upper hand in parliamentary
elections -- Washington is telling Iran the time is
right for a thaw in relations that have been frozen
for the past 20 years.

Speaking before an audience of Iranian-Americans in
Washington Friday, Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright announced a further lifting of sanctions,
designed to show the Iranian people the United States
bears them no ill will.

/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///

I am announcing a step that will enable
Americans to purchase and import carpets and
food products such as dried fruits, nuts and
caviar from Iran.

/// END ACT ///

More:
http://www.fas.org/news/iran/2000/000317-iran3.htm



Then again...

U.S. Bans Import of Endangered Caspian Sea Sturgeon
http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Sep/30-595265.html

[Tanuki]

4. Wow, the Turks better take heed

or pretty soon he'll ban Turkish taffy.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. His ignorance and arrogance fits so perfectly into this administration.

[TomInTib]

6. How can I hoard Persian rugs and pistachios when..

all the space under my bed is taken by cans of tuna and powdered milk?

[DinahMoeHum]

8. Jeez, this guy's a dumb shit.

n/t

[patdem]

9. I know I could afford the pistachios

However, I am afraid only the rich of this country will suffer because the Persian rugs cannot be imported!

[Scurrilous]

10. I just ate a whole bag of pistachio nuts...

...soon pistachios will be blocking me.

[BOSSHOG]

11. both had slipped into the US under exisiting sanctions?!?!?!?

So, share with us your plan great exalted mustachioed one. What are you going to do, stomp your right foot harder? Kinda sucks being a eunuch who has to act like a badass to break even, huh bolt-on?

[Bridget Burke]

13. A potential pistachio shortage was discussed on the news....

During the Iranian hostage thingie. A correspondent reviewed the situation in a serious manner--for example, mentioning other pistachio sources. However, he ended the segment saying something like "And we'll be prepared, even if Iran cuts off our nuts."

Cut to the news desk. With the news guys TRYING not to break down....

[madrchsod]

14. you could ban persian rugs for..hmmm...5 years?

and the rug merchants would still have thousands in stock. the carpets the super rich buy well, there are ways around the label