Czechs Agree To Halt Exports For Iran Power Plant

Members approved the measure in an emergency session after Czech-born U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright indicated her department would consider unspecified sanctions against the Czech Republic if the deal went forward. U.S. officials have said the Iranian plant at Bushehr has potential to be used in a nuclear arms programme and it was the Czech Republic_s responsibility as a new member of NATO not to provide any assistance. The planned exports from local manufacturer ZVVZ Milevsko were valued at one billion crowns ($26.85 million). The legislation enforces a ban on any Czech exports or services for the Bushehr plant. The measure must still win approval in the Senate upper house but that is widely expected. ZVVZ has demanded 500 million crowns in damages from the Czech government should the supplies not be delivered to Iran.