Thursday, December 2, 2010

US lawmakers fume over China's Iran links

US lawmakers fume over China's Iran links: "US lawmakers united Wednesday in anger over China's links with Iran, but also blamed the administration of Barack Obama for not imposing sanctions on Chinese companies trading with Tehran.
The harsh criticism came from both Republicans and Democrats after leaked secret cables show US frustration in trying to get China to do more to stop the proliferation of missile technology.
A cable from 2007 cited by the British newspaper the Guardian disclosed that China was given specific details about a missile parts shipment that was expected to transit Beijing.
US diplomats were instructed to express US concern 'at the highest level possible.'
Other cables detailed what US diplomats said was the delivery to Iran of 19 North Korean missiles with a range of up to 2,000 miles (3,000) kilometers.
'There seems to be no doubt that Chinese companies are pursuing energy investments and selling Iran refined petroleum. The Chinese acknowledge it,' said Howard Berman, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee."