COSATU condemns US sanctions

The Congress of South African Trade Unions strongly condemns the United States' unilateral sanctions against Iran and its attempts to bullycountries to cut imports of Iranian oil, with threats of sanctions against them as well.

A spokeswoman for the US government has confirmed that the US is working with consumers of Iranian oil to help them "respond" to the new sanctions, which take effect on 28 June, and that countries which don't comply will be cut off from access to the US banking system. This amounts to blatant blackmail against other states.

The new sanctions are justified by the unproven allegation by the US and some European Union states that oil revenues could be used to develop nuclear weapons. Iran however denies that it is developing nuclear weapons, and insists that its uranium enrichment process is for purely civilian purposes.

COSATU is concerned at a report that South Africa's department of energy is talking to the US and other oil suppliers to "investigate options" on what to do about its Iranian crude oil imports and aims to make a decision toward the end of May on how to respond to the sanctions and not disrupt supplies to the country.

Meanwhile the department of international relations says there are continuing discussions with the US to try to understand how the new sanctions will impact the country.

COSATU demands that the South African government stop this kowtowing to the US imperialists and adopt only policies that are in the best interests of this country and the developing world.

South Africa should remember the negative impact of its support for the UN Security Council's resolution authorizing the no-fly zone over Libya and the resolution imposing comprehensive sanctions on the former Libyan leader.

As UJ Professor Chris Landsberg has said, "South Africa's handling of the Libya fallout has hurt it badly on the continent." We must not make the same mistake again but take a principled stand against US imperialism's attempt to impose its will on sovereign states and increase its economic hegemony on the world.

Statement issued by Patrick Craven, COSATU national spokesperson, March 23 2012

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