Israel snubs Bern over Iran gas deal

[Alloces]

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=5 ... =351020103

Sun, 04 May 2008 22:16:15
Israel is responding to Switzerland's multibillion-dollar gas deal with Iran by giving the brush-off to officials of the country.

In several newspaper interviews published on Sunday, Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey criticized Israel because it had not invited any member of the Bern government to attend a celebration.

"Personally, I am disappointed that our country was not invited at government level... Switzerland has never taken sides, neither in the Middle East conflict nor in anywhere else in the world," said Calmy-Rey.

She urged Israel to 'appreciate and understand' that as a neutral state, it has no choice but to engage in direct negotiations with all countries.

Israel has been exerting pressure on Switzerland since Calmy-Rey's recent Tehran visit, in which a major natural gas supply deal was sealed between Swiss company EGL and Iran's state-owned National Iranian Gas Export Company.

The Tehran-Bern gas contract infuriated Zionist groups which believe a robust trade relationship with Iran will sabotage attempts to isolate the Islamic Republic in the international arena.

The Swiss government, however, instantly responded to criticism from such groups, affirming that all international laws and regulations were respected in the contract.

Yes, don't talk to the enemy, because they are evil.  This is typical behavior from spoiled rotten little children who don't get their way.  What will it take for people to realize Israel is a friend to no one?

[Ognir]

Great news, first thing I heard on local news this morning

[oldsoul]

Meanwhile...

"Israel imports Iranian oil on a large scale even though contacts with Iran and purchasing of its products are officially boycotted by Israel. Israel gets around the boycott by having the oil delivered via Europe. A reliable Israeli energy newsletter, EnergiaNews, reported this last week [March 18] ...

"EnergiaNews got the information about the Iran trade from sources with ties to the management of Israeli Oil Refineries Ltd ... According to EnergiaNews the Iranian oil is liked in Israel because its quality is better than other crude oils.

"The report by EnergiaNews editor Moshe Shalev states that the Iranian oil reaches various European ports, mainly in Rotterdam. It is bought by Israelis and the necessary European bill of lading and insurance papers are supplied. Then it is transported to Haifa in Israel. The importer is the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Co (EAPC), which keeps its oil sources secret."

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/ric ... ction.html