US government official to press Turkey, France on Libya, Iran

Todays Zaman--The US Treasury Department said on Friday that a senior official would visit Turkey and France next week to discuss how to apply pressure on Libya.

The Treasury Department said David S. Cohen, acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, during his visit on April 24-28 will also stress the need for tough implementation of sanctions against Iran to prevent it from setting up financial networks that could be used to further its nuclear ambitions.

“While there, Cohen will emphasize the importance of robust implementation of the multilateral sanctions regime on Iran to prevent it from establishing new financial and economic footholds to facilitate its illicit nuclear and weapons program. He will also discuss international efforts to apply maximum pressure on the [Libyan leader] Gaddafi regime,” the Treasury statement said.

Cohen will meet in Ankara and İstanbul between Sunday and Thursday with private-sector representatives to make them aware that foreign banks doing business with countries like Iran risk losing access to the US financial system, Treasury said.

The United Nations imposed four rounds of sanctions on Iran in an effort to get Tehran to curtail its ambitious nuclear program, which critics say is aimed at obtaining the atomic bomb. Iran denies this and says it is a civilian energy project. Turkey says it is bound to honor only the Security Council resolution and does not have to comply with individual sanctions adopted by individual states. Rebels in Libya, with NATO help, are trying to oust long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Meanwhile, Ann Stock, assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, is set to pay a visit to Turkey on April 24-29. Stock will visit Ankara and İstanbul to for talks with officials to discuss and review the Fulbright program in Turkey and youth exchange programs between the two countries.