UANI Calls on the Pentagon to Debar Honeywell from U.S. Government Contracts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2010
Contact: Kimmie Lipscomb, [email protected]
Phone: (212) 554-3296
 

  UANI Calls on the Pentagon to Debar Honeywell from U.S. Government Contracts

New York, NY - United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) on Tuesday called on the Pentagon and the U.S. Government to debar Honeywell from all U.S. government contracts.  Honeywell does more business with the U.S. Government than any other company that is active in Iran.  In 2009 alone, Honeywell's contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense totaled $3.45 billion, comprising over 80% of its total contracts with the U.S. Government.  UANI President, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace sent letters to Secretary Gates and to the head of the General Services Administration, Martha Johnson calling for the debarment of Honeywell. 
 
In a letter to Secretary Gates, UANI President, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace wrote: 
 

It is inappropriate for a key U.S. defense contractor to work in Iran and on such strategically important projects.  It is inappropriate for U.S. taxpayer dollars to be paid to a company that does such work in Iran.  UANI calls on the Defense Department to debar Honeywell from contracting with the Pentagon, unless and until it ends its business in Iran. 

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Given the major role of Honeywell's products and services in Iran, it is clear that the IRGC is likely a major beneficiary of Honeywell's business in Iran.  Yet Honeywell very comfortably does business in Iran.
 

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Both the House and Senate recently passed the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (IRPSA), which seeks to restrict Iran's import of gasoline.  Because of Iran's lack of refining capacity, Iran must import much of its gasoline.  The U.S. Congress saw this as an opportunity to protect U.S. national security by adopting meaningful sanctions against Iran.  Honeywell's work in Iran enhances Iran's ability to refine its own oil, and directly undermines this bipartisan Congressional effort.

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Even given the current economic downturn, Honeywell, a top Fortune 500 company, boasted profits of $2.153 billion in 2009.  Honeywell's CEO, David M. Cote, was rated as one of the ten highest compensated CEOs by CNN, with a total compensation package valued at $28.7 million.  In February of this year, President Obama appointed Mr. Cote to the Bipartisan Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. 

However, companies like Honeywell that rely on U.S. taxpayer dollars have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with U.S. national security.  By doing business in Iran, Honeywell has failed in that responsibility. Why should taxpayers contribute to Mr. Cote's salary when it is clear that President Ahmadinejad's IRGC thugs contribute to Mr. Cote's salary as well?  The answer is clear.  

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As Secretary of Defense, you understand the dangers posed by a nuclear Iran.  You have been outspoken on the importance of adopting a strategy for dealing with Iran.  As part of any such strategy, the Defense Department should not contract with companies that work in Iran.
 
Honeywell should be debarred from U.S. government work, and that debarment should start with Honeywell's work with the Department of Defense.

Click here to read the full text of the letter to Secretary Gates.
Click here to read the full text of the letter to Administrator Johnson.
Click here to send a message to Honeywell.
 

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