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Security Council US Eases Sanctions on Iran
BBC World Service
March 17, 2000
Madeleine Albright: "I call upon Iran to join us in writing a new chapter in our shared history"
The US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright has announced the first easing of sanctions on Iran after years of hostility between the two countries.
Acknowledging "short-sightedness" in some previous policies toward Iran, Ms Albright said some non-oil items would now be available for purchase by Americans. The list includes carpets and food products such as dried fruits, nuts and caviar Ms Albright said in a speech to the American-Iranian Council.
Gesture
After years of hostility between the two countries, this is Washington's first significant gesture towards Iran. It follows the recent victory by reformers in parliamentary elections. Sanctions were first imposed after the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran by student radicals in 1979.
But the United States is maintaining the ban on American investment in Iran's oil and gas industry. Washington says Iran is still supporting international terrorism and attempting to develop weapons of mass destruction.
The partial easing of sanctions and an offer to discuss claims each nation has against the other will be coupled with a renewed proposal for formal talks, said a US official, speaking to Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Conciliatory statements by Iran's reformist President Mohammad Khatami and the result of the parliamentary elections have accelerated moves within the US administration to open talks with Iran.
Response
Some analysts have questioned whether an easing of sanctions would elicit a response or simply amount to a unilateral US concession.
An easing of sanctions also would suggest that US attempts to isolate Iran economically have not succeeded.
Last April, the United States exempted agricultural and medical products from sanctions on Iran and other countries. "We are looking for ways to respond to changes in Iran, and to advance prospects for a better relationship," James B Foley, a State Department spokesman said. "It is something that is under internal consideration - how best to respond."
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