O JOGO PERIGOSO DOS CHINESES

China-Iran File: Communist Party Protecting Nuclear-Arming Iran and Accused Smuggler

China Confidential has learned that the Chinese company that is accused by the Manhattan District Attorney in New York of misusing banks to supply banned weapons to Iran is protected by officials of China's Communist Party at high levels. The DA on Thursday announced a 118-count indictment against LIMMT Economic and Trade Company Ltd., and Li Fang Wei, commercial manager at the Dalian, China-based company.

LIMMT was sanctioned in 2006 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control for providing material support for Iran's missile program.

China strongly opposes the indictment.

In the meantime, Beijing is strengthening relations with Iran and indicating its support for the nuclear-arming, Islamist nation.

A special commentary asks: "Will Iran, U.S. Have Direct Talks?"

The section titled "IRAN'S RESPONSES MIXING STRENGTH WITH GRACE" reflects China's pro-Iran policy (in spite of Beijing's trading relations with Israel).

"Compared to that of the United States, Iran's stance indicates a mixture of strength and grace," the article asserts.

The China View essay continues:

In the wake of the recent statements from the two countries, the international community has been watching closely to see whether official talk between the United States and Iran would take place and if it does, whether it could lead to substantial results.

From the two countries' declaration of positions to actually sitting at the negotiating table, there is still a long way to go, according to analysts. Especially for the United States, it is hard to tell whether the country can present the "sincerity" asked by Iran. Therefore, it is very likely for the two sides to have flip-flops on their positions on holding talks.

In fact, the long-standing confrontation between the two sides lies in that Iran insists that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes, while the United States holds that it will lead to nuclear weapons.

With such a lack of trust, it is hard to tell whether Iran will sit at the negotiating table with the United States.

On the other hand, the Obama administration's extending of carrots to Iran still smacks of being coupled with sticks.

# posted by Confidential Reporter @ 6:03 PM links to this post