Tag Archives: debt

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 08 Aug – 11 Aug. Seven U.S. Marines killed in one day! Cops killing cops. British government facing criminal charges over U.S. “kill list”. USAID now targeted. Battles increasing! Mujahideen weapons coming from Germany & United States!

11 August 2012

In Nimroz Province, an Afghan national cop killed 11 of his fellow policemen.  The provincial governor says the killer cop was recognized as a member of the Mujahideen, and was killed.

In Balkh Province, the principal of a girls’ school was assassinated.  She was shot in her house, her husband, and father in law, found her when they returned from the local Mosque.  Balkh Province is considered one of the more stable Afghan provinces.

The Afghan Defense Ministry says five Afghan soldiers were killed, 16 wounded, in battles with Mujahideen in the provinces of Kunar, Paktiya, Logar, Maidan Wardak and Herat.  Nine Mujahideen were captured.

In the United Kingdom, attorneys have petitioned the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding information given to the United States. That info was used to put together the infamous “kill list”, aka Joint Integrated Prioritized Target List (JIPTL): “Our client’s case suggests that the establishment and maintenance of the ‘killing list’ is not in line with the U.K.’s duties under international humanitarian law.”-Rosa Curling, attorney

10 August 2012

In Helmand Province, three U.S. Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) personnel were shot and killed by an Afghan employee working on the base they were stationed at.  Ignorant media referred to the Marines as Special Forces, which is normally the term used for U.S. Army Green Berets.  The shooter has been arrested.

Also in Helmand, earlier on the same day a local police commander invited four (U.S./British media says it was three) MARSOC personnel to his house to discuss security issues. Instead it was an ambush and the Marines were killed.  The police commander escaped.

Also in Helmand, British officials reported one of their occupying troops was shot and killed while on patrol.

Also in Helmand, six family members were killed, five wounded, after they drove over a mine.

Also in Helmand, ISAF claims to have captured a “leader”.

ISAF also reported: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Ghazni Province, two cops were killed, three wounded, after they drove over a mine.

09 August 2012

In Kunar Province, a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officer was assassinated by suicide bombers.  Three other officials, and a civilian were also killed.  A U.S. State Department official was wounded.

In Laghman Province, an Afghan government soldier shot at occupying forces. He was killed when they returned fire.

In Uruzgan Province, an Australian Digger was wounded during a battle with Mujahideen: “The soldier received a gunshot wound to the lower left leg when the combined force element came under small-arms fire from insurgents.”– Australian defence statement

In Kunruz Province, local officials reported major battles between Afghan government forces and Mujahideen.  They did not give exact numbers but reported many killed and wounded. The battles actually started the day before.

08 August 2012

In Farah Province, three civilians killed, three wounded, after the mini-bus they were in drove over a mine.  Local officials say Mujahideen launched an attack right after the explosion, wounding a policeman.  Police claim they killed three Mujahideen and wounded two others.

ISAF stated: “Three International Security Assistance Force service members died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

ISAF also claims to have captured yet another “leader”, in Helmand Province.

In Maidan Wardak Province, local officials reported major battles.  Mujahideen attacked a security check post on Kabul-Bamiyan highway, as well as a NATO supply convoy.  No word on casualties.

In Kunar Province, suicide bombers attacked occupying NATO troops.  A local hospital official said at least one person was killed, three wounded.  Other reports say that at least three occupying personnel were killed.

A German newspaper, Express, reported that many weapons taken from Mujahideen are made in Germany.  Another report explained that Germany has been sending the Afghan government weapons for their military and police, however, at least 4,500 of those guns have disappeared from Afghan government control.  Not only that, but at least one third of the hundreds of thousands of U.S. weapons shipped to the Afghan government have disappeared!

While ISAF reported an 11% increase in Mujahideen attacks on occupying forces, the United Nations reports an overall 15% decrease in attacks upon civilians. However, the UN says that when looking at specifically attacks on civilians, that are blamed on Mujahideen, there is actually a 53% increase!

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Top 5 U.S. banks ordered to make living wills, two years ago! 9 Too Big to Fails now have living wills!

10 August 2012, Reuters published an exclusive report revealing that U.S. banks were ordered to make “living wills”, because of an expected economic collapse!

The order came from the privately run Federal Reserve Bank, and the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.  The 2010 order was targeted at five U.S. national banks: Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs.

Both the Federal Reserve and the U.S. government indicated that there was no way to save the banking industry in a full blown economic collapse: “…make no assumption of extraordinary support from the public sector…”

The Reuters’ report explained that living wills for corporations are not the same as bailouts/recovery plans.  In the living will the too big to fail bank is basically finished, but directs how any remaining assets shall be liquidated (sold off) in order to prevent a total collapse of the banking/finance system.

Already, nine international banks have submitted their living wills to the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? 290 U.S. cities downgraded! Local tax revenues down, again!

“We expect downgrades to continue outpacing upgrades in the second half of 2012 as local governments navigate an increasingly difficult budgeting environment characterized by anemic revenue growth and significant expenditure pressure on wages and post employment benefits.”-Moody’s statement

09 August 2012, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the largest number of U.S. cities/school districts since 2000.

The latest downgrades mark 14 straight quarters in which municipal bond downgrades exceeded increases!

In another report by Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, tax revenues collected by local governments are down, for the sixth consecutive quarter!

The latest reports and downgrades only adds ammo to the “tip of the iceberg” bankruptcies filed by local governments.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Global Economic War: British bank official tells the United States to F Off, literally!!!

“You fucking Americans! Who are you to tell us, the rest of the World, that we’re not going to deal with Iranians?”-attributed to Richard Meddings, finance director of Standard Chartered Group

According to U.S. banking regulators, the above statement was made by the British banking official back in 2006 (under the Bush Jr administration), after being questioned about money laundering!

Now the New York State Department of Financial Services named United Kingdom’s Standard Chartered a “rogue” bank, and threatens to strip its New York banking license.  The reason is that Standard Charter refuses to go along with U.S., and even British, financial sanctions against Iran.

Meanwhile, international commentators are saying this is proof that the United States has lost significant influence over the rest of the World, including their evil ally the British empire!

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Report shows Romney’s Bain Capital was typical crony capitalism from the very start. Included investors accussed of murdering their fellow countrymen!

“Over the years, these Latin American friends have loyally rolled over investments in succeeding funds, actively participated in Bain Capital’s May investor meetings, and are still today one of the largest investor groups in Bain Capital.”-Harry Strachan, former Bain Capital partner

According to the latest reports, at least 40% of Bain Capital’s initial funding came from investors who were accused by the U.S. government of murdering their own people!  Mitt Romney personally appealed to those investors, who were living in Florida.

Also, many of Bain’s initial investors were corporations registered in Panama. By being registered in Panama they avoided paying taxes, and they were able to hide information, such as the details about how they were making their money.  These corporations are sometimes called “shell companies”, because they really don’t produce a product or service, they’re simply used to hide money from governments.

Regarding the investments from death squad overlords, the U.S. government accused many of the Florida investors of being directly related to El Salvadoran officials, and/or directly funding the brutal civil war and mass killings that took place in the Central American country from 1980 to 1992.

Harry Strachan, a one time partner in Bain Capital, stated that Romney, and others, knew where the money was coming from, and were initially “…terrified of bringing in Central Americans. They were afraid of drug money.” Strachan admits that he convinced Romney to take the money.

The names of at least three investors, accused of funding death squads, have been released by the U.S. Department of State.  Romney has even named several investors, but claims he investigated them for such crimes against humanity. Another investor, Orlando de Sola, is now in an El Salvador prison, convicted of fraud.  Interestingly, he says he did not make any money off his family’s investments into Bain Capital!

Romney is still getting money from many of these same elitist Central American families. In fact they are major supporters in his campaign for President of the United States!

The latest reports connecting Romney to death squads and warlords in Central America, can be found in the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Boston Globe, Associated Press and others.

Business/Economics, Idaho, International, Technology, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Hewlett Packard to layoff 300 British employees, government officials calling it a “quarterly cull”! HP has too much debt, turns to GE for help!

“This is not part of the global program, it’s just a quarterly cull.”-unnamed government source

03 August 2012, news media in the United Kingdom have discovered that Hewlett Packard (HP) has told the British government they will let go at least 268 employees.

British law requires companies that are laying off more than 20 employees to notify the government.

Despite the unnamed government official’s statement, some analysts believe this is part of the planed layoff of 27,000 HP employees by October 2014.

HP officials in France and Germany said they’re planing to cut their workforce by 10%.  In Sweden it could be as high as 14%.  Italy and Spain are still awaiting HP’s layoff estimates.  Even the announced 268 layoffs in the U.K. are not considered the final cut.

Unions in Britain are claiming that HP will end up laying off at least 1,600 employees.  CEO Meg Whitman, refused to answer British media questions.

On 30 July 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported that HP was finding it harder and harder to get credit default swaps on its debt.  The cost of such swaps has quadrupled for HP since last year.  That’s because more and more investors are worried that HP will end up busted.

Also, HP’s debt load is now at $21 million USD, no thanks to its recent purchase of a company called Autonomy.

As a result HP has turned to General Electric (GE) for financial help.

On 02 August 2012, GE Capital announced they will offer credit to HP resellers. The offer includes 60 days of no interest re-payments: “Resellers of any size can view this kind of financing as working capital that they can use to help grow their markets and expand their businesses. We’re pleased to be working with HP to support its resellers.”-Mike Marcolina, GE Capital Commercial Distribution Finance

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

LIBOR: RBS takes action against its own employees

“The LIBOR situation is on our agenda and is a stark reminder of the damage that individual wrongdoing and inadequate systems and controls can have in terms of financial and reputational impact.”-Stephen Hester, CEO RBS

03 August 2012, the Royal Bank of Scotland announced it has fired several employees for their involvement in the LIBOR rigging scandal.

RBS officials said they are cooperating with international investigators.

The government of the United Kingdom owns 82% of RBS.

RBS reported a pre-tax loss of $2.3 billion USD!  RBS is also setting aside $211 million to compensate loan insurance customers. Those customers claim RBS lied to them about what they were getting.

Check my other postings about LIBOR.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? “tip of iceberg” for U.S. cities going bankrupt or defaulting, blame reduced tax revenues caused by bad economy!

“We went fifty years without any municipal bankruptcies in the United States, and now we are going to get dozens of them. The governing class did not get stupid fast.”-Richard Brodsky, former 14-term New York State assemblyman

(Actually, contrary to Brodsky’s statement, I think there was one chapter 9 bankruptcy in 1994, and another in 2008 [both in California]. But the point is that we’ve never seen the numbers we’re seeing now.)

Since 2010 dozens of cities, counties and local service agencies have gone bankrupt, something not seen in at least fifty years! Analysts are predicting dozens more.  The reason is simple: Bad economy means less jobs, and most of the jobs that are available pay a pittance (minimum wage, no benefits). That means less tax revenue for state and local governments.

Some stupid local governments try to make up for it by raising local taxes.  That shows you how out of touch your local reps are.  If tax revenues are down because most people are making less money, then raising taxes will only make things worse (remember what sparked the U.S. Revolutionary War: Unfair taxes).

2010 Local Government/Service Bankruptcies

Lost Rivers District Hospital, Arco, IDAHO

Lake Lotawana Community Improvement District, Lee’s Summit, MISSOURI

Grimes County MUD 1 and Official Committee of Bondholders, Grimes County, TEXAS

The Southern Connector (toll road), Piedmont, SOUTH CAROLINA

2011 Local Government/Service Bankruptcies

Central Falls, RHODE ISLAND

Jefferson County, ALABAMA

Centerton Municipal Property Owner’s Improvement District 3, Fayetteville,  ARKANSAS

Harrisburg, PENNSYLVANIA (courts rejected claim)

Boise County, IDAHO (courts rejected claim)

Barnwell County Hospital, SOUTH CAROLINA

Bamberg County Memorial Hospital, SOUTH CAROLINA

Sanitary and Improvement District 512, Douglas County, NEBRASKA

Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District, Fort Bragg, CALIFORNIA

2012 Local Government/Service Bankruptcies & Defaults

Harrisburg, PENNSYLVANIA (default)

Suffolk Regional Off Track Betting Corp, Hauppauge, NEW YORK (second filing, first was rejected by courts in 2011)

Hospital Authority of Charlton County, GEORGIA

Rural Water District 1, Cherokee County, OKLAHOMA

Sylamore Valley Water Association Public Facilities, Izard County, ARKANSAS

Stockton, CALIFORNIA

Mammoth lake, CALIFORNIA

San Bernardino, CALIFORNIA

Seven local governments are under emergency management in MICHIGAN

Analysts predict many more major U.S. cities to go bust

Washington DC: In debt by $537 per resident

Detroit, MICHIGAN: In debt by $217 per resident

Honolulu, HAWAII: In debt by $110 per resident

New York City, NEW YORK: In debt by $565 per resident

Almost every major city in CALIFORNIA (beware the saying; “As California goes, so goes the rest of the nation.”)

Camden, NEW JERSEY: In debt by $54 per resident

Cincinnati, OHIO: In debt by $181 per resident

And the biggest loser is: Chicago, ILLINOIS: In debt by $2,353 per resident

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Ford and Chevy sales up in the U.S.? So what! Global profits are still crashing! Layoffs in the works!

“We think this is a situation that we will have to deal with for the foreseeable future.”-Bob Shanks, Ford CFO

“We have overcapacity now in Europe. It isn’t going to come back fast and we aren’t going to be saved by volume.”-Alan Mulally, Ford CEO

02 August 2012, Ford and General Motors (GM) reporting falling profits despite earlier reports of increased sales.

GM reporting a drop in profits of 41% compared to the same time last year.  Ford reporting a 57% drop!  Both blame crashing sales in the European Union. GM lost $361 million USD in Europe, Ford lost $404 million!

GM’s biggest European brand, Opel, has been losing money big time.  German newspapers are reporting major changes in the works, such as reducing pay for employees, layoffs and even ending some production in the United States, shifting that production to Europe then shipping the cars to the U.S. for sale (of course that would mean layoffs for U.S. workers).

Chrysler, now controlled by Italy’s Fiat, was the only one to see an increase in profits. However, Fiat is hoping to use Chrysler to offset Fiat losses in Europe.

Ford also had profit losses in South America and Asia, which is worrisome since those are the two big vehicle sales markets right now. When asked if factory closings and layoffs were in the works, Ford’s CEO said cuts to “all areas of the business” were being considered.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Senate passes bill that almost guarantees war with Iran! Obama must now sign or veto

On 14 December 2011 the U.S. House passed HR 1905 (click here for more info).  On 01 August 2012, the U.S. Senate passed their version, now it goes before President Obama to be accepted or rejected.

The bill affects other countries, not just Iran, and even U.S. citizens!

Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Human Rights Act of 2012

Title I – Expansion of Multilateral Sanctions Regime with Respect to Iran
Section 101 –
Declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) prevent Iran from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and advanced conventional weapons; and (2) implement all sanctions against Iran in order to compel Iran to abandon nuclear weapons efforts and to cease support for terrorism.
Section 102 –
Expresses the sense of Congress that the goal of compelling Iran to abandon efforts to acquire a nuclear weapons capability and other threatening activities can be achieved through a policy that includes economic sanctions, diplomacy, and military planning, capabilities and options, and that this objective is consistent with the one stated by President Barack Obama in the 2012 State of the Union Address.
Section 103 –
Urges the President to initiate diplomatic efforts to expand the multilateral sanctions regime regarding Iran.
Section 104 –
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should seek to maximize the effects of existing sanctions on Iran, and (2) the United States should take all necessary measures to preserve information-sharing activities.
Title II – Expansion of Sanctions Relating to the Energy Sector of Iran and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction by Iran
Subtitle A – Expansion of Iran Sanctions Act of 1996
Section 201 –
Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to impose specified sanctions on a person that knowingly participates in certain petroleum resource development joint ventures outside of Iran if the Iranian government is a substantial partner or investor in the joint venture, or if Iran could, through such joint venture, receive new technology or equipment that could significantly contribute to its development of petroleum resources in Iran.
Section 202 –
Imposes specified sanctions on a person that knowingly sells, leases, or provides to Iran certain petroleum and infrastructure development-related resources goods, services, technology, or support:
(1) any of which has a fair market value of $1 million or more; or
(2) that, during a 12-month period, have an aggregate fair market value of $5 million or more.
Imposes specified sanctions on a person knowingly selling, leasing, or providing to Iran certain petrochemical development-related goods, services, technology, or support:
(1) any of which has a fair market value of $250,000 or more; or
(2) that, during a 12-month period, have an aggregate fair market value of $1 million or more.
Section 203 –
Imposes specified sanctions on a person knowingly participating in certain joint ventures with Iran’s government, Iranian entities, or persons acting for or on behalf of Iran in the mining, production, or transportation of uranium. Exempts a person from sanctions if the person withdraws from such joint ventures within 180 days after enactment of this Act.
Section 204 –
Authorizes the President to: (1) direct the Secretary of State to exclude from the United States an alien who is a corporate officer, principal, or controlling shareholder in a sanctioned firm; and (2) impose sanctions against the principal executive officer or other principal executive officers of a sanctioned firm.
Subtitle B – Additional Measures Relating to Sanctions Against Iran
Section 211 –
Directs the President to block the property and property interests in the United States or under the control of a U.S. person of a person that knowingly provides ships, insurance or reinsurance, or other shipping services for transportation of goods that materially contribute to Iran’s proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program or its terrorism-related activities. Authorizes the President to waive such provisions if in the U.S. national security interest.
Section 212 –
Amends the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to impose sanctions on entities controlled or owned by a person sanctioned by U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding Iran.
Section 213 –
Prohibits an entity owned or controlled by a U.S. person and established or maintained outside the United States from engaging in any transaction with Iran or a person under Iran’s jurisdiction that would be prohibited if the transaction were engaged in by a U.S. person or in the United States. Imposes specified civil penalties for violations of such prohibition.
Exempts a person from such provisions if the person divests or terminates its business with the entity within 180 days after enactment of this Act.
Section 214 –
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require securities issuers to disclose in detail in their mandatory annual or quarterly reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) whether they or their affiliates have:
(1) engaged in certain activities relating to Iran, terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
(2) knowingly engaged in specified activities, or knowingly violated certain regulations prescribed under the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010;
(3) knowingly conducted any transaction or dealing with a person whose property and interests in property are blocked by certain Executive Orders; or
(4) knowingly conducted a transaction or dealing with any person listed in the Iranian Transactions Regulations. Requires:
(1) an issuer to disclose in a separate SEC filing that any such activity has been included in an annual or quarterly report,
(2) the SEC to transit the report to the President and Congress, and
(3) the President to initiate an investigation into the possible imposition of sanctions.
Section 215 –
Directs the President to publish a list of senior Iranian officials (and family members) involved in Iran’s:
(1) illicit nuclear activities or WMD proliferation,
(2) support for international terrorism, or
(3) human rights abuses against Iranian citizens.
Prohibits such persons from being granted U.S. immigration status or admitted into the United States, except pursuant to the United Nations Headquarters Agreement. Authorizes the President to waive such provisions if in the U.S. national interest.
Section 216 –
Expresses the sense of Congress that the loss of access by sanctioned Iranian financial institutions to specialized financial messaging services must be maintained.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress regarding persons that provide specialized financial communications services to the Central Bank of Iran or other sanctioned financial institutions and efforts by the Secretary to terminate such services.
Authorizes the President to impose specified sanctions against a person providing or facilitating such services.
Section 217 –
Sets forth reporting requirements regarding: (1) foreign entities investing in Iran’s energy sector; and (2) petroleum imports to, and exports from, Iran.
Title III – Sanctions with Respect to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps
Subtitle A – Identification of, and Sanctions with Respect to, Officials, Agents, Affiliates, and Supporters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and Other Sanctioned Persons
Section 301 –
Directs the President to identify and designate for sanctions, exclusion from the United States, and freezing of assets officials, affiliates, and agents of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that are not already designated for the imposition of sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Requires investigative priority for foreign persons:
(1) identified with the government of Iran; and
(2) who have conducted transactions with Iran relating to petroleum, petrochemicals, energy resources, finances, nuclear, chemical or ballistic weapons, or sensitive technologies.
Section 302 –
Directs the President to identify and impose specified mandatory and discretionary sanctions upon a foreign person who knowingly: (1) assists or engages in any significant transactions with the IRGC or its agents and affiliates, (2) engages in any significant transactions with a person subject to U.N. sanctions relating to Iran. Authorizes the President to waive the imposition of sanctions if the person has terminated the activity or for reasons of U.S. national security.
Section 303 –
Prohibits anything in this subtitle from being construed to limit the President’s authority to designate foreign persons for the imposition of sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Subtitle B – Additional Measures Relating to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps
Section 311 –
Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to require certification by prospective U.S. government contractors that neither they nor their subsidiaries have engaged in significant economic transactions with the IRGC, or its officials, agents, or affiliates whose property is blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Section 312 –
Amends the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to determine whether the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) or the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) is an IRGC agent or affiliate and submit such determination to Congress. States that such provisions shall apply to petroleum transactions for NIOC or NITC 180 days after enactment of this Act, but only if the President determines that there is a sufficient supply of petroleum and petroleum products in countries other than Iran to permit purchasers to significantly reduce petroleum and petroleum product purchases from Iran.
Title IV – Measures Relating to Human Rights Abuses in Iran
Subtitle A – Expansion of Sanctions Relating to Human Rights Abuses in Iran
Section 401 –
States that the government of Iran continues to systematically violate the basic human rights of the citizens of Iran and has failed to cooperate with U.N. and similar human rights investigations.
Section 402 –
Expresses the sense of Congress that the government of Iran: (1) continues to engage in systematic violations of human rights; (2) is engaging in a systematic campaign to prevent news, entertainment, and opinions from reaching media that are not subject to government control and to eliminate any free Internet or other electronic media discussion among the people of Iran; and (3) has refused to cooperate with international organizations seeking to investigate or to alleviate such conditions.
Section 403 –
Amends the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to direct the President to identify and submit a list to Congress of persons who have knowingly transferred to Iran goods or technology, or provided post-transfer services, that are likely to be used by the government of Iran to commit human rights abuses. Directs the President to: (1) freeze the assets of listed persons, and (2) impose additional sanctions if such transfers are made to the IRGC.
Section 402 –
Directs the President to impose specified sanctions against persons that have engaged in censorship or repression of the rights of freedom of expression or assembly of Iran’s citizens.
Subtitle B – Additional Measures to Promote Human Rights in Iran
Section 411 –
Requires the Office of Foreign Assets Control to expedite processing of Iran-related humanitarian, human rights and democratization aid by entities receiving funds from the Department of State, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and other U.S. agencies.
Section 412 –
Directs the President to submit a comprehensive strategy to Congress regarding the promotion of Internet freedom and information access in Iran.
Section 413 –
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretary should support efforts to identify prisoners of conscience and cases of human rights abuses in Iran, and (2) the U.S. government should offer refugee status or political asylum in the United States to Iranian political dissidents if requested and consistent with U.S. laws and national security interests.
Title V – Miscellaneous
Section 501 –
Denies admission to, or excludes from, the United States an Iranian citizen seeking to enter the United States to study at an institution of higher education to prepare for a career in Iran’s energy or nuclear sectors.
Section 502 –
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to exclude the transfer of agricultural commodities from specified sanctionable activities with Iran.
Section 503 –
Makes available for attachment, with respect to judgments entered against Iran for damages for personal injury or death caused by an act of torture, extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage, or hostage-taking, or the provision of material support or resources for such an act, a financial asset that is:
(1) property in the United States of a foreign securities intermediary doing business in the United States,
(2) a blocked asset that is property identified in and the subject of proceedings in Peterson et al.
v. Islamic Republic of Iran et al.; and
(3) equal in value to a financial asset of Iran that such foreign securities intermediary or a related intermediary holds abroad.
Section 504 –
Sets forth reporting requirements regarding Iranian membership in, and U.S. contributions to, international organizations.
Section 505 –
Amends the the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to authorize appropriations through FY2016 for: (1) the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, and (2) the Bureau of Industry and Security. Authorizes appropriations through FY2016 for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
Title VI – General Provisions
Section 601 –
Applies certain penalties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to persons violating specified provisions of this Act and the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010.
Section 602 –
Prohibits anything in this Act from applying to authorized U.S. intelligence activities.
Section 603 –
States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization of the use of force against Iran or Syria.
Title VII – Sanctions with Respect to Human Rights Abuses in Syria
Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 –
Section 702 –
Directs the President to identify and impose specified sanctions on:
(1) Syrian government officials or persons acting on behalf of that government who are responsible for or complicit in the commission of serious human rights abuses against Syrian citizens or their family members, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in Syria;
(2) persons who knowingly transfer or facilitate the transfer of goods or technologies (weapons, surveillance technology, or technology to restrict free speech or the flow of information) that are likely to be used by Syria to commit human rights abuses against the Syrian people; and
(3) persons who engage in censorship that prohibits, limits, or penalizes freedom of expression by Syrian citizens.
Authorizes the President to waive such provisions if in the U.S. national security interest.
Section 706 –
Terminates such provisions if the President certifies to Congress that the government of Syria is democratically elected and representative of the people of Syria or that a legitimate transitional government of Syria is in place.