Israel Matzav

'Neutral' Switzerland signs massive gas deal with Iran

They were so 'neutral' during World War II that they would not allow Jews fleeing from the Nazis into their country. And today Switzerland is continuing with its tradition of 'neutrality' by signing an 18 billion euro (reported), 25-year (from 2011), 5.5 billion cubic meter natural gas deal with Iran.

The contract will be the second largest European gas deal, although EGL spokesman Bogdan Preda told The Jerusalem Post, "We are not releasing the value of the deal."

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Swiss journalist Alexander Hasgall told the Post that Switzerland had "neglected the political meaning of the gas contract and invoked the economic argument" to justify the transaction.

Critics of the growing number of European-Iranian oil and gas deals argue that Teheran can will [Corrected by CiJ] use the profits for a nuclear weapons program.

[In keeping with their tradition of placing business before the lives of Jews CiJ], Preda, from EGL, told the Post that the EGL was aware of the criticism, but "we say that Europe needs to diversify its supplies of gas." [I wonder if they'll buy Zyclon B next. CiJ]

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey will be present at Monday's signing between EGL and the National Iranian Gas Export Company [to give Iran more brownie points CiJ].

The US Embassy in Bern could not be reached for comment on Sunday, but previously said, in response to a visit by an Iranian delegation to Switzerland in connection with the EGL gas deal, "New and large oil and gas deals with Iran send the wrong message at a time in which Iran continues to defy UN Security Council resolutions that demand a suspension of activities with respect to nuclear enrichment and processing."

When asked if EGL had violated the US Iran Sanctions Act, an EGL spokesman said, "The Iran Sanctions Act applies when we are investing" in Iran, but EGL is "purchasing gas from Iran." [How Clintonesque! CiJ]

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:22 PM