ID :
319511
Wed, 03/05/2014 - 12:04
Auther :

UN Chief Admits Adverse Impacts Of Iran Sanctions On Environment

Tehran, March 5, IRNA – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon admitted adverse impacts of Iran sanctions on environment, according to Iranian Department of Environment on Tuesday. Advisor to the head of Iranˈs DoE Esmail Kahrom told a press conference that Ban Ki-moon acknowledged adverse impacts of Iran sanctions in response to a letter from Iranian environmentalists. Iranian non-profit environment agencies in a letter on November 17 asked the UN Secretary General to support end the illegal sanctions against Iran. Iranian environmentalists in their letter to Ban Ki-moon noted that the harmful effects of the sanctions are clearly evident on Iran’s economy and environment, and in sectors such as oil, industry, sewage treatment and degradation of environment. ˈIran’s restricted access to advanced technologies to produce fuels with high standards seriously polluted the air in Iranˈs major cities, endangering the lives of more than 35 million people, a reference to the alarming rise of cancer patients.ˈ The letter underlined that the country’s industry, battered by sanctions, had been unable to receive environment-friendly technologies to improve air quality standards, as well as the sewage treatment. The lack of industrial technologies, it said, had effectively brought the process of moving towards “green industries and balanced sustainable development” to a halt. UN secretary general in the response letter, forwarded to advisor to Iranˈs DoE Esmail Kahrom acknowledged that western sanctions on Iran had a detrimental effect on the country’s environment. Ban admitted that the sanctions have contributed to degradation of environment and exposed the Iranian nation to to cancer risks. Welcoming the agreement on Iran Nuclear issue, secretary general urged global community to support a settlement to end the decade-long nuclear dispute with Iran. He urged the governments concerned to do everything possible to build on this encouraging start, contribute to confidence-building and go ahead with negotiations to extend the scope of the initial agreement. The Secretary-General called on all members of the international community to support this process which, if succeeded, will be to the long-term benefit of all parties. The Iranian government reserves the right to take legal action with the International Court of Justice in The Hague against the US Administration to seek compensation for the heavy damages the US-orchestrated sanctions inflicted on Iran. The sanctions caused several hundred billion dollars damages on Iranian economy./end

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