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United States Imposes Sanctions on Chinese, North Korean Entities for Alleged Aid to Iran By Mike Nartker WASHINGTON — The United States last week imposed sanctions on four Chinese entities and one North Korean company for allegedly aiding Iran’s WMD and ballistic missile efforts (see GSN, Oct. 14). The sanctioned entities are the Chinese companies Liaoning Jiayi Metals and Minerals Co., Wha Cheong Tai Co. and Shanghai Triple International, as well as the Chinese national Q.C. Chen, according to a notice published today in the Federal Register. Sanctions were also imposed against the North Korean Changgwang Sinyong Corp., which a U.S. State Department official described as the main marketing entity for the North Korean military (see GSN, Oct. 25). The five entities were sanctioned for allegedly violating the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 through the transfer of items controlled under multilateral export control programs, such as the Missile Technology Control Regime; or other items with “the potential to make a material contribution” to WMD programs or cruise and ballistic missile efforts. The State Department official declined to comment on the specific nature of the alleged transfers, but noted the past suspected activities of some of those entities sanctioned last week. “Serial proliferator” Q.C. Chen has been previously sanctioned for allegedly aiding Iran’s chemical weapons program, the official said. The United States has also previously sanctioned the Wha Cheong Tai Co. and the Changgwang Sinyong Corp. for alleged aid to Iran. The two-year sanctions prohibit the five entities from entering into contracts with, or receiving aid from, the U.S. government. The sanctions also prohibit the sale to the entities of defense items by the U.S. government, and bar the export to the entities of controlled items from the United States. The State Department official said that the alleged transfers occurred in the latter half of 2003. In a report released last week, the CIA noted the aid provided during that time period by Chinese and North Korean entities to Iran’s chemical weapons and ballistic missile programs (see GSN, Nov. 26). Iran’s missile efforts have been the subject of recent increased media attention. Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell charged that Tehran was seeking to modify its ballistic missile arsenal to be able to carry nuclear warheads. Iran last month also announced that it had reached the capability to mass-produce an improved version of its Shahab 3 missile, which has a range of 1,300 kilometers. Last week’s sanctions marked the third time this year that the United States has punished foreign entities for allegedly aiding Iran’s WMD and missile efforts. Sanctions have previously been imposed on entities from a number of countries in addition to China and North Korea, such Russia, India, Belarus, Macedonia, Ukraine, Spain and Taiwan.
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