Iran would seek return of “prepayments with interest” if the Boeing deal is thwarted by Pres Trump.

Iran would seek return of “prepayments with interest” if the Boeing deal is thwarted by Pres Trump. (IFP).

Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi told the domestic media that a deal which Iran has sealed with Boeing was “a commercial one” and could not be therefore cancelled through an order by the US president.

“This cannot happen,” Akhoundi emphasized in response to a question on whether Trump could order to kill the deal with Boeing. “This is a commercial deal.”

Boeing announced a $16.6 billion agreement with the national carrier Iran Air in December, saying the orders were on course to support nearly 100,000 new jobs in the United States.

The deal, however, has already run into opposition in the Republican-run Congress and Trump’s travel ban further makes it impossible for pilots, cabin staff and maintenance crews to enter the US for training.

US media earlier this week highlighted concerns that Iran’s deal with Boeing to buy 80 passenger planes had been thrown into doubt following President Trump’s executive order barring travel by Iranians to the US.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Deputy Transport Minister Asghar Fakhrieh-Kashan has warned that Iran would seek return of “prepayments with interest” if the Boeing deal were thwarted by Trump’s administration.

The aircraft have to be delivered over 10 years, beginning in 2018. The agreement includes orders for 50 narrow-body 737 passenger jets and 30 wide-body 777 aircraft. Boeing has said the deal was reached under the conditions of a US government license issued in September.

Iran has also signed a deal with the European plane maker Airbus to purchase 100 planes.  It delivered the first plane in January with more deliveries coming up over the next few months.

Saudi oil-minister hails 'fossil-friendly' Trump, we invested billions of dollars in the American oil industry.

Saudi oil-minister hails 'fossil-friendly' Trump, we invested billions of dollars in the American oil industry. (AA).

I think at the end of the day... Saudi Arabia and the US cannot afford not to work together in concert to confront the challenges that are facing the world. - Khaled al-Falih

Saudi Arabia's oil minister has said that he was pleased with US President Donald Trump's plans to pursue a more fossil fuel-oriented energy policy.

This comes as Trump has made a raft of measures signalling he intends to put America on a more fossil fuel-friendly path, appointing an oil boss to a senior cabinet post and signalling he would go ahead with the construction of controversial pipelines, Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipeline.

In an interview with the BBC on Wednesday, Khalid al-Falih insisted he was unconcerned by Trump's promise to pursue energy independence, adding that Saudi Arabia had invested billions of dollars in the American oil industry.

"President Trump has policies that are good for the oil industry, and I think that we have to acknowledge it," he said.

"The energy policy on the White House's website talks about working closely with the US Gulf allies; and Saudi Arabia is the leader of that group on energy policies," he said, adding that the Trump administration would eventually "do the right thing for the US".

When asked whether Saudi Arabia had any concerns regarding Trump "putting America first" by moving towards energy independence and cutting oil imports, the minister said the country had "no problem with the growth of American indigenous oil supply".

"As long as they grow in line with the global energy demand, we welcome them," al-Falih said, adding that the "over-exaggerated" concerns will later prove to be non-existent.

The Saudi minister also stressed that the US-Saudi relations were "very strong".

The interview was released on the same day US lawmakers moved to strike down an anti-corruption regulation that would have required oil, gas and mining companies to disclose payments to foreign governments.

Republicans and lobbyists said the Securities and Exchange Commission rule, which had not taken effect since it was issued last year by US financial market regulators, put US industry at a competitive disadvantage.

"Gutting this law will mean oil, gas and mining companies can continue to do secret backroom deals with corrupt regimes, tyrants and dictators all over the world," said Stefanie Ostfeld, deputy head of Global Witness' US office.

The move also came the same day the Senate voted to confirm Trump's secretary of state pick, former Exxon Mobile chief Rex Tillerson, who opposed the rule.

As the world's largest publicly-traded energy firm, ExxonMobil's global empire has been compared to a quasi-state with its own policy.

It has operations in dozens of countries, under multi-year contracts with a variety of governments, and Tillerson was at the heart of many of the deals.

"Rex Tillerson is one of the highest qualified executives I have ever dealt with," al-Falih said, describing the new State Secretary as "a statesman by nature".

"I have watched him with admiration as he led ExxonMobil to become the most respected oil and gas company in the world. I'm sure he'll take his experience and his wisdom to his new position as Secretary of State."

Al-Falih also said he was looking forward to working with Rick Perry, Trump's nominee for energy secretary.


"I look forward to meeting with him and coordinating on energy policies, and we will make sure that there is a better understanding of what we, in Saudi Arabia, stand for," he said.

Highly Likely U.S. company Boeing to Cancel Iran Deal: MP.

U.S. company Boeing Highly Likely to Cancel Iran Deal: MP. (IFP).

Iranian lawmaker, Mohammad-Javad Jamali Nobandegani, believes it is highly likely that Boeing would cancel its contract with Iran due to the newly passed travel ban against Iranians by US President Donald Trump, according to a Farsi report by Mizan Online News Agency.

Boeing’s pending $8 billion deal with Iran Air was already in serious doubt before President Trump’s executive order Friday barred travel to the US by nationals and travelers of seven Muslim countries, namely Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, for the next three months, The Seattle Times reported.

The report says the travel ban adds an immediate logistical barrier as pilots, cabin staff and maintenance crews will be unable to enter the US for training on how to fly and safely maintain Boeing airplanes.

Commenting on the issue, Mohammad Yahyavi, an Iranian-born former Boeing vice president who is now retired and living in Bellevue, said the ban leaves Boeing “in a very tough situation.”

“They have a sales commitment and a customer,” Yahyavi said. “On the other hand, they have government policies to obey. I know which will prevail. It’s the government.”

Expounding on the same issue, Jamali Nobandegani said any move or decision is expected from Trump during his terms in office.

Slamming Trump’s moves as unwise and baseless, he stressed, “Undoubtedly, at present, it is highly probable that Boeing would revoke its deal with Iran. This is a possibility which cannot be denied.”

The US is not willing to let Iran benefit from the advantages of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — signed between Iran and P5+1, Jamali Nobandegani said, adding, “We should not expect otherwise. The US hostility towards Iran has been proven to us.”

He stressed that Iran is required to take exigent measures to be prepared to foil the US’ plots in time, particularly those aimed at violating the JCPOA.

“At present, every move by the Trump administration hints at the US government’s disposition to revoke the nuclear deal. We are required to be ready with appropriate countermeasures.”

Bill H.R. 193: “American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2017”, U.S. to pull out of the UN?

Bill H.R. 193: “American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2017”, U.S. to pull out of the UN?

A new bill proposed by five duly elected Republican Congressmen: Text - H.R.193 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2017 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress. A BILL

To end membership of the United States in the United Nations.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2017”. 

SEC. 2. Repeal of United Nations Participation Act of 1945. 

(a) Repeal.—The United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (Public Law 79–264; 22 U.S.C. 287 et seq.) is repealed. 

(b) Termination of membership in United Nations.—The President shall terminate all membership by the United States in the United Nations, and in any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations.

(c) Closure of United States Mission to United Nations.—The United States Mission to the United Nations is closed. Any remaining functions of such office shall not be carried out. 

SEC. 3. Repeal of United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act. 

(a) Repeal.—The United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act (Public Law 80–357) is repealed. 

(b) Withdrawal.—The United States withdraws from the agreement between the United States of America and the United Nations regarding the headquarters of the United Nations (signed at Lake Success, New York, on June 26, 1947, which was brought into effect by the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act). 

SEC. 4. United States assessed and voluntary contributions to the United Nations.

No funds are authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for assessed or voluntary contributions of the United States to the United Nations or to any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations, except that funds may be appropriated to facilitate termination of United States membership and withdrawal of United States personnel and equipment, in accordance with sections 2 and 3, respectively. 

Upon termination of United States membership, no payments shall be made to the United Nations or to any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations, out of any funds appropriated prior to such termination or out of any other funds available for such purposes. 

SEC. 5. United Nations peacekeeping operations. 

(a) Termination.—No funds are authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any United States contribution to any United Nations military or peacekeeping operation or force. 

(b) Terminations of United States participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.—No funds may be obligated or expended to support the participation of any member of the Armed Forces of the United States as part of any United Nations military or peacekeeping operation or force. No member of the Armed Forces of the United States may serve under the command of the United Nations. 

SEC. 6. Withdrawal of United Nations presence in facilities of the government of the United States and repeal of diplomatic immunity. 

(a) Withdrawal from United States Government property.—The United Nations (including any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations) may not occupy or use any property or facility of the United States Government. 

(b) Diplomatic immunity.—No officer or employee of the United Nations (including any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations) or any representative, officer, or employee of any mission to the United Nations of any foreign government shall be entitled to enjoy the privileges and immunities of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961, nor may any such privileges and immunities be extended to any such individual. The privileges, exemptions, and immunities provided for in the International Organizations Immunities Act of December 29, 1945 (59 Stat. 669; 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.), or in any agreement or treaty to which the United States is a party, including the agreement entitled “Agreement Between the United Nations and the United States of America Regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations”, signed June 26, 1947 (22 U.S.C. 287 note), and the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, entered into force with respect to the United States on April 29, 1970 (21 UST 1418; TIAS 6900; UNTS 16), shall not apply to the United Nations or to any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations, to the officers and employees of the United Nations, or of any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations, or to the families, suites, or servants of such officers or employees. 

SEC. 7. Repeal of United States membership and participation in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

The joint resolution entitled “A joint resolution providing for membership and participation by the United States in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, and authorizing an appropriation therefor”, approved July 30, 1946 (Public Law 79–565, 22 U.S.C. 287m et seq.), is repealed. 

SEC. 8. Repeal of United Nations Environment Program Participation Act of 1973.

The United Nations Environment Program Participation Act of 1973 (22 U.S.C. 287 note) is repealed. 

SEC. 9. Repeal of United States participation in the World Health Organization.

The joint resolution entitled “Joint Resolution providing for membership and participation by the United States in the World Health Organization and authorizing an appropriation therefor”, approved June 14, 1948 (22 U.S.C. 290), is repealed. 

SEC. 10. Repeal of involvement in United Nations conventions and agreements.

Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, the United States will end any participation in any conventions and agreements with the United Nations and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations. Any remaining functions of such conventions and agreements shall not be carried out. 

SEC. 11. Reemployment with United States Government after service with an international organization. 

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the rights of employees under subchapter IV of chapter 35 of title 5, United States Code, relating to reemployment after service with an international organization.

SEC. 12. Notification.

Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall notify the United Nations and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 13. Effective date.

Except as otherwise provided, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

---

New Details Show Donald Trump’s pick for national security adviser Flynn May Have Broken Foreign Agent Law.

New Details Show Donald Trump’s pick for national security adviser Flynn May Have Broken Foreign Agent Law. (BF).

UTRECHT, Netherlands — The lobbying firm run by Donald Trump’s pick for national security advisor made a deal with a Turkish-owned Dutch company that was acting on behalf of an undisclosed Middle East energy company — an arrangement experts say could violate US government filing rules.

Ekim Alptekin, the Istanbul-based aviation industry executive who owns the Dutch consulting company Inovo Limited Partnership, told BuzzFeed News in an extensive telephone interview that he had hired retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn’s firm for a fee “well below six figures” after being retained by a large Middle Eastern energy company eager for research on Turkey ahead of a possible large-scale investment in the country’s gas sector. Alptekin declined to publicly disclose the name of the energy firm or the country in which it is located.

The registration papers — for Inovo, and for the deal with Flynn’s consulting firm, Flynn Intel Group (FIG) — do not mention an energy firm in a third country, or any third party. Disclosure forms filed with the Senate by Flynn’s firm say Inovo hired it in September to advise on matters pertaining to a proposed US law on embassy security. Another filing in October said Flynn’s firm would advise Inovo on “US domestic and foreign policy.” Flynn’s company did not file under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA). Read the full story here.

It seems Erdogan ally Turkish company is total of 1 person, using 2 addresses in Holland have nothing to do w the firm -but pays Flynn $100K

— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) November 23, 2016

New information on Flynn's Turkish lobbying contract may be devastating. NGOs sound alarm: pic.twitter.com/VPNMiytFO0

— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) November 23, 2016

EU money-laundering experts say any Dutch address shd have raised red flags w Trump’s camp --Flynn got paid by this money never #disclosed. pic.twitter.com/Rmwc7Fbv4o

— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) November 23, 2016

RELATED:

Interview with Ekim Alptekin: “The Economic Dynamics of Turkish-American Relations: Improving Trade Relations” https://t.co/fB5nflKCsU

— MFS - The Other News (@MFS001) November 24, 2016

"I think Trump presidency will be more beneficial to Iran than Clinton’s." Ali Motahari, Vice-Speaker of Iran’s Parliament.

"I think Trump presidency will be more beneficial to Iran than Clinton’s." Ali Motahari, Vice-Speaker of Iran’s Parliament. (IFPnews).

According to a report by IFP, a number of Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhani, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, and IRGC General Hossein Salami said Trump’s victory will have no influence on Iran’s policy.

“US policies towards Iran never change with the election of a new president,” General Salami said, noting that both Democrats and Republicans consider Iran as a threat and enemy as the US foreign policy is independent of the ruling party.

Spokesman for Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi also said that Iran is ready for any kind of development.

“Iran has long-term plans [for its nuclear industry] … and try to continue the implementation of the nuclear deal,” he added.

There were also negative and positive reactions to Trump and his election as the new US president.

Chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani described Trump as a dangerous figure who does not believe in principles and easily violates the rules and regulations.

“Trump is considered a big threat, and his radical moves in recent years prove it,” he went on to say.

However, Hesamodin Ashna, the cultural advisor to President Rouhani, hailed the election of Trump as an unknown figure, and described it as an opportunity for a new beginning.

In a post on his Facebook account, Ashna referred to Trump’s victory speech, and highlighted the positive and different words and tone he used.

“We hope White House leaders would keep to their promises and show their commitment … instead of focusing on hostilities and differences,” Ashna added.

“In the Arab world and Turkey, Iran was seen as Obama’s favourite, and this was a barrier to JCPOA implementation. However, we can now tell Iran’s regional partners and neighbours that peace is not a gift given by ultra-regional superpowers. We are the ones who should create it.”

Ali Motahari, the outspoken Vice-Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, is one of those who believes Trump’s victory will be to Iran’s benefit.

“Given the stances Trump held during his campaigns, I think his presidency will be more beneficial to Iran than Clinton’s,” Motahari noted.

“Trump is more honest, and his stances on Syria were good. He also does not hold a good view of Saudi Arabia, and is willing to have good ties with Russia,” he noted.

“Even his opposition to the nuclear deal will also be to Iran’s benefit, because they cannot do anything in practice,” the Iranian lawmaker added. Read the full story here.