WASHINGTON - "Legislation backed by the US industry coalition
USA Engage was introduced in Congress yesterday as part of a campaign
to curb the soaring use of economic sanctions by the US administration."
"Non-strategic goods suffer side effects"
10 October 1997
The Journal of Commerce
"A U.S. exporter recently applied for permission to sell a sewage pump
to Iraq, assuming that it would be allowed under the embargo as a humanitarian
exception for goods such as food and medicine. But the Treasury Department
refused to grant a license, despite a growing incidence of typhoid in
Iraq. The apparent problem? A sewage pump isn't food or medicine."
"A Jew Battles Persecution of Christians"
9 October 1997
The Jerusalem Post, Paul Blustein
"It's not going to work, and it has the potential to do tremendous harm
to this country both economically and militarily," says J. Daniel O'Flaherty,
a vice president at the National Foreign Trade Council. "You're talking
about sanctioning Egypt, China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia -- come on!"
"Sanctions carry price for US"
4 October 1997
The Boston Globe, David L. Marcus
WASHINGTON -- "US economic sanctions have had an enormous negative impact
on both US and European companies, according to a study entitled "Is
the Price Too High? The Cost of US Sanctions Policies," released today
by the European-American Business Council."
"Study Shows Harmful Effects US Sanctions Have
on Companies"
1 October 1997
European-American Business Council, Press Release
WASHINGTON -- "US economic sanctions have had an enormous negative impact
on both US and European companies, according to a study entitled "Is
the Price Too High? The Cost of US Sanctions Policies," released today
by the European-American Business Council."
"Vallone Softens Measure On Religious Persecution"
27 September 1997
The New York Times, Lynette Holloway
"Under pressure from some of the city's most powerful business leaders,
Peter F. Vallone, the City Council Speaker, is planning to scale back
a measure that would bar the city from doing business with companies
that operate in 15 countries where he said he believed that Christians
are being persecuted."
"State with foreign policy roils trade beyond
seas"
23 September 1997
The Boston Globe, Theo Emery
"The problems posed by state and local sanctions is an acute one,' said
Daniel O'Flaherty, vice president of USA Engage's parent organization,
the National Foreign Trade Council."
"US Companies Plan Attack on Sanctions - Lobby
Group Claims Markets Are Being Lost"
15 September 1997
Financial Times, Nancy Dunne
WASHINGTON -- "USA Engage, a coalition of more than 600 companies and
business groups, plans a counter-attack against the increasing imposition
of trade sanctions by federal, state and local governments."
"Businesses battle state sanctions"
28 August 1997
Journal of Commerce, John Maggs
WASHINGTON -- "A group of big U.S. businesses is planning to file a
constitutional challenge to a recent flood of state and local economic
sanctions, despairing of the Clinton administration stepping in to halt
such actions."
"US Cities Act to Curb Some Asian
Trade"
25 August 1997
The Canberra Times, Nigel Holloway
"Frank Kittredge, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, a
lobby organization in Washington, says, 'We deplore the proliferation
of state and local sanctions and are extremely concerned about the impact
not only on trade, but on broader foreign policy."
"Business Coalition Fights Trade
Sanctions by Activist Cities, States, Counties"
24 August 1997
The Seattle Times, Donna Smith
"U.S. businesses alarmed by a proliferation of trade sanctions by federal,
state and local governments are pushing for legislation to make it harder
to use commerce as a weapon in international disagreements."
"USA: U.S. Businesses Fight
Unilateral Trade Sanctions"
21 August 1997
Reuters, Donna Smith WASHINGTON -- "Aug 21 (Reuter) - U.S. businesses
alarmed by a proliferation of trade sanctions by federal, state and
local governments are pushing for legislation to make it harder to use
commerce as a weapon in international disagreements."
"What Do You Do When A City Enacts
Its Own Foreign Policy?"
19 August 1997
Investor's Business Daily, Charles Oliver "State and local governments
pass economic sanctions -'boycotts on steroids.' Frances David faces
an unusual dilemma. She's trying to figure out where Berkeley, Calif.,
is going to buy fuel for the city's vehicles."
Link to "Where commerce, ethics and politics
clash - Republicans split with big business on global dealings"
3 August 1997
The Houston Chronicle, David Ivanovich
WASHINGTON -- "Big business has long been accustomed to look to the
Republican Party to champion its causes. But with the rise of a powerful
cadre of conservative Republicans, drawn more from Main Street than
from Wall Street, industry is being forced to watch its right flank
as much as the left."
"Berkeley's Drive to
Boycott Could Leave City on Empty"
22 July 1997
L.A. Times, Maria L. La Ganga SAN FRANCISCO-- "The boycott-crazy city
of Berkeley is learning a tough lesson: It may be hard to drive the moral
high road when you can't buy gas."
"Clinton May Waive Cuba Sanctions"
15 July 1997
AllPolitics, Barry Schweid WASHINGTON -- "President Clinton is likely
to block tough penalties for doing business with Cuba for another six
months, administration officials said Tuesday."
"State and municipal economic
sanctions coming under fire"
5 July 1997
Philadelphia Inquirer, Sudarsan Raghavan
"Some corporate heavyweights and political analysts warn that such state
and local initiatives thwart Washington's ability to enforce effective
foreign policy, and that they damage U.S. economic, political and military
relationships with its allies as well as business ties in lucrative
emerging markets."
"By slapping sanctions on foreign
countries, American governments are succeeding only in hurting U.S.
business"
2 July 1997
Financial Post, Peter Morton
"This tiny city in Maryland, a stone's throw from the U.S. capital,
was fed up with human rights abuses in faraway Burma. So late last year,
the city council, representing 16,000 indignant citizens, imposed unilateral
sanctions on Burma, the Southeast Asian country now known as Myanmar,
and any U.S. company doing business there."
"US Warns Bow Valley
Over Iranian Project"
25 June 1997
Financial Post, Peter Morton
"Bow Valley Energy Ltd. is the second Canadian company to suffer fallout
from the U.S. tendency to punish governments it doesn't like. Sen. Alfonse
D'Amato has warned the Calgary-based oil company it is violating the Iran-Libya
Sanctions Act, a law D'Amato pushed through Congress last August to try
to combat terrorism thought to be coming out of the two countries."
"House Backs Clinton on China
Trade Privileges"
25 June 1997
The Washington Post, John E. Yang
"The House upheld President Clinton's decision to renew China's trade
privileges yesterday, turning back efforts by Christian conservatives
and liberal Democrats to punish Beijing for its human rights record,
trade practices and weapons sales."
"House Votes to Back Renewal
Of China's MFN Trade Status"
25 June 1997
The Wall Street Journal Interactive, David Rogers
"The House voted to continue normal trade relations with China despite
demands from Christian conservatives for tougher U.S. policy toward
Beijing."
"Security Adviser
Lobbies for Clinton's China Policy"
13 June 1997
The Washington Post, John F. Harris
"Revoking most favored nation trading status for China would strengthen
the forces of "self-absorption and xenophobia" in Beijing and turn a tense
but improving U.S. relationship with the world's most populous nation
into one of outright hostility, White House national security adviser
Samuel R. "Sandy" Berger warned yesterday."
"Value of sanctions questioned"
3 June 1997
USA Today, Barbara Slavin
"In the U.S. diplomatic arsenal, economic sanctions have long been a
weapon of choice. How better to show displeasure with a rogue regime
than to deprive it of resources from U.S. investors and consumers? But
a debate over the use of sanctions is growing at a time when the Clinton
administration is practicing what critics view as an inconsistent policy
with unintended consequences."
"U.S. business tired of unilateral
sanctions"
28 May 1997
The Hindu, C. Raja Mohan
"When your only tool is a hammer,' an American adage goes, 'every problem
starts to look like a nail.' As the United States goes berserk in applying
unilateral economic sanctions to deal with every conceivable international
problem, a worried American business community is gathering forces to
counter the sanctions fever."
"Sanctions Pain: Does It Bring
Any Real Gain?"
28 May 1997
The Wall Street Journal Interactive, Gerald F. Seib
"Gather around, children, for today's quiz on foreign policy. Question
1. True or false: Iran, Iraq, Libya and Cuba do many things America
doesn't like, so the best way to change their behavior is to cut off
economic ties. That will give America the leverage needed to make them
behave better."
"The Iranian-American Confrontation"
23 May 1997
The Wall Street Journal Interactive
"Editor's note: We are withholding the name of the author of this story.
With Iranians voting today in the hardest-fought presidential election
since the 1979 revolution, this is an opportune moment to rethink U.S.
policy toward the Islamic republic. Ever since the revolution, U.S.
officials have wrestled with the problem of how to deal with a government
that substitutes terrorism for statecraft and anti-Americanism for faith."
"Thinking Globally, Punishing Locally"
16 May 1997
The Washington Post, Paul Blustein
"States, Cities Rush to Impose Their Own Sanctions, Angering Companies
and Foreign Affairs Experts. Here is a multiple choice question. Foreign
policy is made by: (A) the federal government; (B) state governments;
(C) local governments."
"U.S. Oil Companies Join Anti-Sanctions
Group - MEES"
12 May 1997
AP-Dow Jones News Service
"Some U.S. major oil companies have joined about 440 U.S. concerns in
setting up an anti-sanctions coalition as U.S. congressmen are seen
going ahead with plans to further tighten sanctions against Libya and
other Middle Eastern countries, the oil newsletter Middle East Economic
Survey reported Monday."
"Mobil, Amoco and DuPont Show
Up at Iran Meeting"
12 May 1997
The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, Daniel Pearl
"Three American oil companies attended an Iranian-sponsored energy conference
here this weekend, despite U.S. trade sanctions that prevent them from
doing business here."
"European-American Business
Council Criticizes Proposed Actions Against Switzerland"
8 May 1997
European-American Business Council
"The European-American Business Council (EABC) today urged New Jersey
lawmakers and Governor Christine Todd Whitman to oppose a proposal in
the state legislature that would discriminate against companies doing
business in Switzerland."
"France Announces
Trade Accord with Cuba"
24 April 1997
CNN Interactive (AP)
"France has reached a trade agreement with Cuba, the latest salvo in its
dispute with Washington over the longtime U.S. embargo against the Communist
island nation. French officials announced the accord Thursday, saying
it allows for investment guarantees, repatriation of profits, guarantees
against nationalizations and arbitration procedures."
"US to Impose Sanctions On Burma
for Repression"
22 April 1997
The Washington Post,Peter Baker
"President Clinton plans to impose new economic sanctions on Burma to
further isolate its military dictatorship, which has become a pariah
in the world community because of its flagrant and persistent human
rights abuses, administration officials said yesterday. The move by
the president, which will be announced today by the State Department,
will prohibit U.S. companies from making new investments in the Asian
nation but will not affect existing business ventures, the officials
said."
"Clinton Approves New Steps by
US Against Burmese"
22 April 1997
The New York Times, Steven Erlanger
"After weeks of internal debate, President Clinton has approved a ban
on new American investment in Burma because of human-rights abuses by
the Burmese military government, a senior administration official said
Monday."
"Oil companies say they will be
losers"
22 April 1997
Houston Chronicle Interactive, William E. Clayton Jr. & David Ivanovich
"Economic sanctions against Burma announced Tuesday by the White House
led to immediate protests by oil companies, which questioned whether
such moves can lead to positive change."
"Converting the Dollar into a
Bludgeon"
20 April 1997
The New York Times, Steven Lee Myers
"A few weeks ago, President Clinton decided not to punish Mexico for
losing its war on drugs, partly out of concern that the punishment -
economic sanctions - would have hurt Mexico's economy and America's
too. This month Mr. Clinton said he'd moderate his sanctions on Cuba
to avert a trade fight with the European Union that could, in turn,
backfire on businesses at home. The President also seems reluctant to
impose tough sanctions on Myanmar for abusing human rights because a
few American companies might lose out on business."
"Definitive Answers From A 'Broad-Based
Coalition Representing American Business And Agriculture'"
18 April 1997
San Diego Daily Transcript, Kacey Craig
"What is interesting about USA*ENGAGE (http://www.usaengage.org) is
its mission."
"440 US companies form group to
fight sanctions"
17 April 1997
Journal of Commerce
"A group of 440 U.S. companies and businesses associations launched
a new coalition Wednesday to oppose the imposition of unilateral trade
and foreign policy sanctions by the U.S. government. USA-Engage was
formally unveiled at a press conference along with a study concluding
that U.S. exports to 26 countries were cut by $15 billion to $20 billion
in 1995 because of U.S. economic sanctions against these countries."
"US Companies Rally Against Unilateral
Sanctions"
16 April 1997
Reuters, Peter Bate
"A powerful coalition backed by some of the biggest names in corporate
America launched a campaign Wednesday against the proliferation of punitive
trade measures imposed by the United States. USA Engage, representing
440 small and large businesses, trade and farm groups, warned that Washington's
penchant for punishing foreign countries was hurting the U.S. economy."
"US Business hits at use of unilateral
sanctions"
16 April 1997
Financial Times
"USA Engage, a broad coalition of over 400 US companies and the American
subsidiaries of several foreign groups, says that use of unilateral
sanctions against countries such as Iran, Libya and Cuba and their threatened
use against Nigeria, Burma and Indonesia are having a big financial
impact on the US economy, and have led to thousands of job losses among
American workers."
"Business Groups Form Coalition
To Fight Sanctions Trend"
16 April 1997
The Wall Street Journal Interactive
"More than 400 energy, manufacturing and agriculture groups announced
Wednesday they have formed a coalition that aims to prevent Congress
and the Clinton administration from adopting further economic sanctions
policies. The coalition, called USA Engage, said it will oppose the
use of unilateral foreign policy sanctions and instead encourage engagement
with countries with which the U.S. has foreign policy differences. Members,
including the National Foreign Trade Council and the American Farm Bureau
Federation, have contributed close to $1 million for the campaign."
"Europe, U.S. call Cuba trade
truce, Clinton to seek Helms-Burton changes"
12 April 1997
The Dallas Morning News, Jim Landers
"A potentially crippling blow to the world's trade court was averted
Friday when the European Union said it would suspend a suit against
U.S. anti-Cuba sanctions. In return, the Clinton administration said
it would seek to amend the Helms-Burton Act, which passed last year
soon after Cuban jets downed two U.S. civilian aircraft over international
waters."
"US Sanctions
Backlash"
21 March 1997
Business Times, Leon Hadar
"US businesses are arguing that sanctions do not work, that they retard
economic and political reforms in countries like China or Myanmar and
harm US economic interests."
"Group Says US Sanctions Are Largely
Ineffective"
05 March 1997
The Wall Street Journal
"The US is too quick to impose unilateral economic sanctions against
other countries, and most of those sanctions don't work, according to
a report from the National Association of Manufacturers."
"Kennedy Plans
Effort To Add Indonesia To List Of US Trade-Sanction Targets"
12 February 1997
The Oil Daily, Stephen MacSearraigh & David Abramson
WASHINGTON -- "Undeterred by the swelling chorus of opposition -- both
domestic and international -- to the use of the sanctions weapon, US lawmakers
are proving relentless."
"Texaco, Conoco CEOs Blast Clinton
On Sanctions"
12 February 1997
Platt's Oilgram News
"CEOs Archie Dunham of Conoco and Peter Bijur of Texaco made it clear
during the opening session of the 16th annual Cambridge Energy Research
Association conference here Feb 11 they believe US sanctions against
unfriendly nations are hurting business back home."
"Conoco's Chief Blasts Sanctions"
12 February 1997
Houston Chronicle, David Ivanovich
"Conoco - the Houston oil company barred by Washington from doing business
with Iran - is calling on the oil industry to launch a major political
push to change the American habit of unilaterally imposing trade sanctions."
Conoco News Release
11 February 1997
Conoco Inc.
"Conoco's President and CEO today urged the US government to search
for alternatives to unilateral sanctions that hurt the ability of American
energy companies to compete for investment and growth opportunities
in many parts of the world."
"Conoco CEO: US Needs Alternatives
To Unilateral Sanctions"
11 February 1997
Dow Jones Telerate Energy Service, Michael Rieke
"The United States needs to find alternatives to unilateral trade sanctions
as an instrument of foreign policy, the president and chief executive
officer of Conoco Inc. said Tuesday."
"Conoco President Speaks at Cambridge
Energy Conference"
11 February 1997
PR Newswire
"Conoco's President and CEO today urged the US government to search
for alternatives to unilateral sanctions that hurt the ability of American
energy companies to compete for investment and growth opportunities
in many parts of the world."
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