DATE=12/5/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223750
TITLE=E-U / IRAN (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A WHITE HOUSE MEETING FRIDAY BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON
AND THE LEADERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION CONCLUDED WITH LITTLE
PROGRESS TOWARD BRIDGING THEIR DIFFERENCES OVER POLICY TOWARD
IRAN. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.
TEXT: AT ISSUE IS A U-S LAW THAT PENALIZES COMPANIES THAT
INVEST IN IRAN, WHICH THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES SUPPORTS
STATE-SPONSORED TERRORISM.
THE E-U OPPOSES THE MEASURE, ARGUING IT WOULD ALLOW THE UNITED
STATES TO IMPOSE ITS POLICIES BEYOND ITS SHORES.
THE FIRST TEST OF THE LAW COULD COME WITH THE CASE OF THE FRENCH
ENERGY FIRM TOTAL, WHICH HAS SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH IRAN TO
INVEST IN NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION.
U-S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AIDE DON BANDLER SAYS MR. CLINTON
HAS NOT YET DECIDED WHETHER TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON THE COMPANY.
BUT HE SAYS THE PRESIDENT SOUGHT SUPPORT FROM E-U LEADERS FOR
EFFORTS TO CONTAIN IRAN.
// BANDLER ACTUALITY //
HE EMPHASIZED HIS STRONG CONCERN ABOUT IRAN'S EFFORTS TO
ACQUIRE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND IRAN'S SUPPORT
FOR TERRORISM. HE CALLED ON THE EUROPEAN UNION TO JOIN
US IN ADDITIONAL STEPS AIMED AT ADDRESSING THIS SERIOUS
AND IMPORTANT PROBLEM.
// END ACT //
THE MEETING BETWEEN MR. CLINTON AND THE E-U LEADERS ALSO DID
LITTLE TO RESOLVE AN IMPASSE OVER ANOTHER ISSUE -- GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS.
ALTHOUGH THE UNITED STATES OPPOSES THE DEEP REDUCTIONS IN
EMISSIONS ADVOCATED BY THE E-U, MR. CLINTON EXPRESSED CAUTIOUS
OPTIMISM THAT A COMPROMISE COULD BE REACHED AT TALKS UNDERWAY IN
KYOTO, JAPAN.
WHILE THERE WERE DISAGREEMENTS OVER IRAN AND GLOBAL WARMING, THE
TWO SIDES DID AGREE ON OTHER ISSUES. THEY SIGNED AN ACCORD TO
BOOST SCIENCE COOPERATION, AND THEY AGREED TO WORK TOGETHER TO
PROMOTE REFORM IN UKRAINE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/PT
05-Dec-97 7:23 PM EST (0023 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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