U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTS EXPORTS TO SHAYKH IN UAE

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTS EXPORTS TO SHAYKH IN UAE    The U.S. Departments of Commerce and State have taken action to restrict exports and re-exports of a broad category of U.S.-origin goods to Shaykh Hamad bin Ali bin Jaber Al Thani, a Qatari national who resides in the United Arab Emirates.
   The Shaykh had presented a Boeing 747 as a gift to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The U.S. government wants to prevent any further diversion of U.S.-origin goods to Iraq that are inconsistent with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
   “Secretary Albright will order steps to ensure that those directly responsible for the transfer of this airplane will not enjoy the privilege of travel to the United State,” said a statement from the State Department’s Spokesman’s Office.
   “The sanctions announced today [Nov. 24] demonstrate that the United States will take prompt action when our laws are violated,” said Commerce Secretary Mineta. “The Commerce Department is imposing a general order that will require specific Commerce permission for exports or re-exports to the Shaykh or related commercial entities.”