Following up on reported similar threats to Tanzania, Rep. Howard Berman (D – CA), the former House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman has threatened the tiny island nation of Tuvalu with sanctions over their reflagging service, which is reportedly be using by some Iranian oil tankers.
Reflagging the ships wouldn’t stop them from being under the assorted embargoes on Iranian oil, but it might conceivably make it easier for them to buy insurance, which according to Berman is “sanctionable activity” from a US perspective.
The sanctionability is likely neither here nor there for Tuvalu, as the tiny island chain’s entire economy is little more than a collection of fishing boats and a handful of coconut trees, and their trade with the United States is non-existent. The US could impose a full Cuba-style embargo on trade with Tuvalu and likely no one on either side would notice.
Rather the move is political grandstanding by Berman. After the US exempted every nation that it couldn’t afford to alienate from the Iran sanctions (Japan, China, South Korea et al) they are browbeating tiny countries.
Tuvalu’s embassy could not be reached for comment on the threat, primarily because Tuvalu has no embassy.
But you know where they might be vulnerable, Jason? In their domain-name leasing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.tv
yet israel allows its citizens, businesses to continue trade with Iran … the sanctions and war they want are for us, not them
Democrats – capitalism – vulture capitalism is on TV tonight.
Howard Berman, with Israeli/American dual nationality is paid by American taxpayers, but you know for whom he works.
[moderator’s note: Any evidence for the “dual nationality” claim, or is it just something you dreamed up? – TLK]
From his Wiki page:
"Berman is also a strong supporter of Israel, telling the Jewish newspaper, The Forward after being appointed Chairman of the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, "Even before I was a Democrat, I was a Zionist."[22] He has sponsored the Anti-Boycott Act in the House, which prohibits American individuals and organizations from actively boycotting Israeli goods."
Dual citizen or not, he doesn't put America first.
Before I was a Democrat, I was a Zionist,
And before THAT, a terrorist sponsor // supporter, like Peter King and the House of Saud.
Garbage.
TLK, I had seen it some time ago on the lis below, but the site doesn't allow me to post it saying:
Sorry
Your comment is a little too long. Try splitting it into multiple comments.
Jewish Members of Congress: Howard Berman (Representative, California)
Representative Howard Berman has served the 28th District of California since 1982. He is well known for his bipartisan efforts, working with Republicans on issues such as a bill authorizing embargoes on nations that support terrorism and amendments to the False Claims Act. Berman is a leading advocate of copyright interests and intellectual property in the House. He is also a strong supporter of Israel and is the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Berman also serves as the vice chair of the Judiciary Committee. Berman resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Janis Gail Berman. They have two daughters, Brinley and Lindsey
http://www.njdc.org/site/page/howard_berman
Goes without saying he is a supporter of Israel–99% of Congress is owned by AIPAC.
OK, Rep. Berman–go to Tuvalu, wade ashore like General MacArthur and tell those uppity island savages who's boss!
That would be a pretty tricky matter attack, the third least Populist country in the World, total population around 10,000, he should however realise that their Queen may not at all be happy with threatening her subjects, she holds a diplomatic status that far outweighs the Representative, even outweighs the status of the President who regardless if he wins the next election, that Queen will probably be around after he has left as well as his sucessor having been around for 60 years and watched Presidents come and Go. The Queen is of course, Queen Elizabeth of Tuvalu, also Known as Queen Elizabeth of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland Canada, Australia,New Zealand and a whole Host of other countries.
Not as hopeless now is little Tuvalu!
Great post – Mr Bennet would appreciate it!
OOOOO ….. Picking on children….. AGAIN…!!!! At least the bully isn't murdering children there yet….
Perhaps the fishermen there aren''t Muslim……
Maybe the Zionists could move to Tuvalu next. They've tried damn near every other place.
We must attack and destroy Tuvalu….Tootaloo Tuvalu.
Tuvalu is one of many nations that threaten American freedom. They are amongst those who seek to undermine the great American spirit, the great American love of choice. America is the worldwidce protector of freedom and we must seek and destroy those who undermine our values.
The Tuvalese hate Christianity and our lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins so that we could be free to enter the kingdom of heaven and rejoice in his Glory, the Glory of the father who is also Christ and the Glory of the little bird who impregnated Mary who is also Jesus Christ who is his own uncle.
We must never forget 911.
Attack and Destroy Tuvalo!
lol
Nice one Stu! Only I think that some might not understand your irony.
US warmongers never rest.
Next to Lieberman, Berman is the worst Israel Uber Alles "American" representative in our gov't.
Some other notable traitors include:
Ileans Ros-Lehtinen
Carl Levin
And many others, which is the plain reason why Israel is like a small, paranoid dog who barks so loudly and fearlessly as it worries about being stepped on all the time. Even if you only half pay attention, the way the US bends over for Israel right or wrong is painfully, embarrassingly, obvious. And pathetic.
There is no political will here to punish them for their uncivilized, Nazi-like transgressions.
Howard Berman is another Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel had dual US-Israeli citizenship during the Hillbilly Clinton Administration and Berman has it during the Ehud Barack Obomba Administration. No country is boycotting the US, Israel or the EU.
Actually, Lebanon and Syria still enforce the Arab League's boycott on Israeli goods and services.
For a change — Be legal, moral and ethical
What, no commerce with our great Empire? Well we see about that, first we must have the IMF loan billion and billion to that little island paradise, so that construction may start immediately on a world-class sea port and international air terminal. Then shall come boat loads and plane loads of tourists, business people and military people.
I mean, we don’t always have to terrorize into submission every little nation and island that becomes a stumbling block to expansion, do we?
Based on accusations by Iran's neighbors, they have been purposely delaying and limiting oil shipment to other countries. A report about storage and logistics by AP suggests that Iran claiming losses are not viable due to their oil domestic output.