UANI Calls on Alstom to Forgo Business in Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2014
Contact: Nathan Carleton, [email protected] 
Phone: (212) 554-3296

UANI Calls on Alstom to Forgo Business in Iran
Industrial Conglomerate was Part of French Trade Delegation that Recently Visited Tehran

New York, NY - Today, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) continued its France Trade Delegation Campaign by calling on French industrial conglomerate Alstom SA to clarify the purpose of its recent reported visit to Iran, and certify that it will not initiate any Iran business activities.   

Last month, Alstom reportedly participated in a three-day French trade mission to Tehran to explore new business opportunities following the implementation of the interim nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1. The delegation reportedly met with Mohammad Nahavandian, President Rouhani's chief of staff, as well as members of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.

Alstom's interest in the Iranian market is ill-advised and premature. As President Barack Obama said in remarks with French President Francois Hollande last month, businesses "exploring" the Iranian market "do so at their own peril right now, because we will come down on them like a ton of bricks."

Added President Hollande: "As far as sanctions are concerned, they will only be lifted if and when there is a definite agreement. And during this period of an interim agreement, they remain in force."

Alstom maintains a vast U.S. presence, with as many as 10,000 employees in the country, and hundreds of millions of dollars in government contracts.

In a letter to Alstom CEO Patrick Kron, UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace wrote:

... As clearly indicated in numerous statements issued by U.S. and EU officials, the JPA in no way gives a green light for companies to enter or re-enter the Iranian market. Simply put, Iran is not "open for business." For example, in remarks before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on February 4, 2014, Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen stated, "The sanctions that remain in place are broad and that we intend to enforce our sanctions vigorously." ... Alstom should also be mindful of the potentially damaging reputational risks associated with Iran business activities. U.S. officials, including Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs Wendy Sherman, have issued stern warnings to firms about such risks.

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UANI is also cognizant of Alstom's vast U.S. presence, with "as many as 10,000 employees in 45 states and the District of Columbia." Moreover, Alstom has benefited from enormous U.S. government contracts and grants. Since 2000, Alstom and its subsidiaries have received more than $350 million in such contracts and grants since 2000. ...

UANI's France Trade Delegation Campaign tracks French companies that are exploring the Iranian market following the implementation of the Geneva interim agreement. Notwithstanding the terms of the agreement, there remain severe reputational, financial and legal risks associated with Iran business.

On February 20, UANI applauded France's Safran for pledging to forgo business with Iran in response to calls from UANI. Safran stated that it agrees with UANI that "the vast majority of EU and U.S. sanctions against Iran remains in place and will continue to be enforced." Continued Safran: "It is the reason why Safran confirmed at this stage to continue to have no business with Iranian customers."

Click here to read UANI's full letter to Alstom.
Click here to send a message to Alstom.
Click here to learn more about UANI's France Trade Delegation Campaign.
Click here to learn more about UANI's Austria Trade Delegation Campaign.

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