Iran's economy and the US sanctions

Middle East Journal

Volumn 51, Issue 2, 1997, Pages

  Amuzegar, Jahangir ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0040151353     PISSN: 00263141     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (66)

1. For a sample of these charges, see "The Persistence of Economic Paralysis," Focus on Iran 3, no. 7 (July 1996), p. 1.
2. For the latest annual ritual of these arguments, see the "Statements of President Rafsanjani before the Majlis," Kayhan Havai (Tehran), 4 December 1996, p. 18.
3. For a discussion of these issues, see Hooshang Amirahmadi and Eric Hoogland, eds., U.S.-Iran Relations: Areas of Tension and Mutual Interest (Washington, DC: The Middle East Institute, 1994); and Revisiting Iran's Strategic Significance in the Emerging Regional Order (New Brunswick: US-Iran Conference, Inc., 1995). Papers presented at the conference "Economic Sanctions" sponsored by the Middle East Institute (MEI) and the Petroleum Industry Research Foundation (PIRF) in April 1996, held at the National Press Club, Washington, DC, and another called "Iran in Transition" organized by Petro-Hunt Corporation in May 1996 in Dallas, Texas have also dealt with various aspects of the subject.
4. For a discussion of these issues, see Hooshang Amirahmadi and Eric Hoogland, eds., U.S.-Iran Relations: Areas of Tension and Mutual Interest (Washington, DC: The Middle East Institute, 1994); and Revisiting Iran's Strategic Significance in the Emerging Regional Order (New Brunswick: US-Iran Conference, Inc., 1995). Papers presented at the conference "Economic Sanctions" sponsored by the Middle East Institute (MEI) and the Petroleum Industry Research Foundation (PIRF) in April 1996, held at the National Press Club, Washington, DC, and another called "Iran in Transition" organized by Petro-Hunt Corporation in May 1996 in Dallas, Texas have also dealt with various aspects of the subject.
5. See "Europeans Skeptical of Isolating Iran," The Washington Post, 15 March 1996; and "Allies Angered by U.S. Boycott Policy," The Washington Post, 10 May 1996.
6. See "Europeans Skeptical of Isolating Iran," The Washington Post, 15 March 1996; and "Allies Angered by U.S. Boycott Policy," The Washington Post, 10 May 1996.
7. See, for example, US Department of State, Patterns of Global Terrorism, 1993 (Washington, DC: 1994).
8. See Thomas R. Mattair, "Interview with UN Ambassador Kamal Kharrazi of Iran," Middle East Policy 3, no. 3, December 1994.
9. For a brief reference to some of these charges, see Elaine Sciolino, "Christopher Signals a Tougher US Line Toward Iran," The New York Times, 31 March 1993.
10. See "Tehran Hosts a Predators' Ball," US News and World Report 111, no. 19, 4 November 1991. See also "Khomeini's Son Denounces Mideast Accord, Calling it Treachery," The New York Times, 13 September 1993; and "Iranian Leader Denounces Peace Pact," The New York Times, 16 September 1993.
11. See "Tehran Hosts a Predators' Ball," US News and World Report 111, no. 19, 4 November 1991. See also "Khomeini's Son Denounces Mideast Accord, Calling it Treachery," The New York Times, 13 September 1993; and "Iranian Leader Denounces Peace Pact," The New York Times, 16 September 1993.
12. See "Tehran Hosts a Predators' Ball," US News and World Report 111, no. 19, 4 November 1991. See also "Khomeini's Son Denounces Mideast Accord, Calling it Treachery," The New York Times, 13 September 1993; and "Iranian Leader Denounces Peace Pact," The New York Times, 16 September 1993.
13. For the latest of these accusations, see US Department of State, Iran Report on Human Rights Practices for 1996 (Washington, DC: January 1997).
14. For a brief discussion of some of these issues, see David Newsom, "U.S. Iran Relations: A Washington Perspective," in Amirahmadi and Hoogland, eds., U.S. Iran Relations: Areas of Tension and Mutual Interest. See also Shawn L. Twing, "Is Iran's Military Build-Up Purely Defensive or Potentially Destabilizing?" The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs 14, no. 8 (April 1996), p. 80.
15. For a brief discussion of some of these issues, see David Newsom, "U.S. Iran Relations: A Washington Perspective," in Amirahmadi and Hoogland, eds., U.S. Iran Relations: Areas of Tension and Mutual Interest. See also Shawn L. Twing, "Is Iran's Military Build-Up Purely Defensive or Potentially Destabilizing?" The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs 14, no. 8 (April 1996), p. 80.
16. For the list and content of these sanctions, see Comprehensive U.S. Sanctions Against Iran (Washington, DC: American Israeli Political Action Committee [AIPAC], 1995); "Sanctions." The Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) 40, 9 August 1996 and 30 August 1996; and Lewis M. Johnson, "Iran Sanctions Program under U.S. Regulations," Middle East Executive Reports 19, no. 5 (May 1996).
17. For the list and content of these sanctions, see Comprehensive U.S. Sanctions Against Iran (Washington, DC: American Israeli Political Action Committee [AIPAC], 1995); "Sanctions." The Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) 40, 9 August 1996 and 30 August 1996; and Lewis M. Johnson, "Iran Sanctions Program under U.S. Regulations," Middle East Executive Reports 19, no. 5 (May 1996).
18. For the list and content of these sanctions, see Comprehensive U.S. Sanctions Against Iran (Washington, DC: American Israeli Political Action Committee [AIPAC], 1995); "Sanctions." The Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) 40, 9 August 1996 and 30 August 1996; and Lewis M. Johnson, "Iran Sanctions Program under U.S. Regulations," Middle East Executive Reports 19, no. 5 (May 1996).
19. See "Interview with Kamal Kharrazi, Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations," Middle East Insight 8, no. 3 (January-February 1992). See also the statement by Ali Akbar Velayati, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, before the 50th Session of the UN General Assembly, 25 September 1995.
20. See Gary Sick, "A Sensible Policy Toward Iran," Middle East Insight 11, no. 5 (July-August 1995); and Marvin Zonis, "U.S. Economic Coercion of Iran," a paper presented at the Petro-Hunt conference. Zonis also said several other motives, not specifically related to Iran, were behind the sanctions (e.g., to demonstrate America's global moral leadership, enhance domestic partisan politics, raise the voters' esteem for the President, or win the support of special-interest lobbies). For the role of special lobbies see "Progress of Iran-Sanctions Measures in Congress Signals Comeback for Pro-Israel Lobbying Group," The Wall Street Journal, 18 June 1996, p. A24.
21. See Gary Sick, "A Sensible Policy Toward Iran," Middle East Insight 11, no. 5 (July-August 1995); and Marvin Zonis, "U.S. Economic Coercion of Iran," a paper presented at the Petro-Hunt conference. Zonis also said several other motives, not specifically related to Iran, were behind the sanctions (e.g., to demonstrate America's global moral leadership, enhance domestic partisan politics, raise the voters' esteem for the President, or win the support of special-interest lobbies). For the role of special lobbies see "Progress of Iran-Sanctions Measures in Congress Signals Comeback for Pro-Israel Lobbying Group," The Wall Street Journal, 18 June 1996, p. A24.
22. See Gary Sick, "A Sensible Policy Toward Iran," Middle East Insight 11, no. 5 (July-August 1995); and Marvin Zonis, "U.S. Economic Coercion of Iran," a paper presented at the Petro-Hunt conference. Zonis also said several other motives, not specifically related to Iran, were behind the sanctions (e.g., to demonstrate America's global moral leadership, enhance domestic partisan politics, raise the voters' esteem for the President, or win the support of special-interest lobbies). For the role of special lobbies see "Progress of Iran-Sanctions Measures in Congress Signals Comeback for Pro-Israel Lobbying Group," The Wall Street Journal, 18 June 1996, p. A24.
23. See Robert S. Deutsch, "U.S. Sanctions Policy Towards Iran," a paper presented at the Petro-Hunt conference.
24. See statements by Ellen Laipson in "Symposium: U.S. Policy Toward Iran," Middle East Policy 4, nos. 1 & 2, September 1995, pp. 1-5.
25. Jahangir Amuzegar, "The Iranian Economy Before and After the Revolution," The Middle East Journal 46, no. 3 (Summer 1992). Please note that 1990/91 refers to only one (Iranian) year, but 1990-91 signifies two calendar years.
26. For details and primary references, see "Supplement" in Jahangir Amuzegar, Iran's Economy Under the Islamic Republic, paperback edition (London: I.B. Tauris, 1997).
27. For the source of all figures in this section, see Gozaresh-e Eqtesadi Sal-e 1373 (Annual Economic Report for 1994-95) (Tehran: Plan and Budget Organization, 1996).
28. For details, see Qanun-e Barnameh-e Dovvom (The Second Plan Law) (Tehran: Plan and Budget Organization, 1374H [1995-96]).
29. See Economic Trends, no. 5 (Tehran: Bank Markazi, 2nd Quarter, 1375H [1996]).
30. Reuter news agency, quoting IMF officials in Washington, DC, 17 December 1996. See also MEED 41, no. 1, 3 January 1997, p. 27.
31. Reuter news agency, quoting IMF officials in Washington, DC, 17 December 1996. See also MEED 41, no. 1, 3 January 1997, p. 27.
32. Zonis, "U.S. Economic Coercion of Iran," and Patrick Clawson, "The Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Iran," a paper presented at the MEI "Economic Sanctions" conference, 29 April 1996. See also his "Western Policy Options Toward Iran," (New York: The American Jewish Committee, 1995).
33. Zonis, "U.S. Economic Coercion of Iran," and Patrick Clawson, "The Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Iran," a paper presented at the MEI "Economic Sanctions" conference, 29 April 1996. See also his "Western Policy Options Toward Iran," (New York: The American Jewish Committee, 1995).
34. Zonis, "U.S. Economic Coercion of Iran," and Patrick Clawson, "The Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Iran," a paper presented at the MEI "Economic Sanctions" conference, 29 April 1996. See also his "Western Policy Options Toward Iran," (New York: The American Jewish Committee, 1995).
35. See Iran Business Monitor, May 1995, pp. 3-4; see also Thomas R. Mattair, "Containment or Collision," Middle East Insight 11, no. 5 (July-August 1995).
36. See Iran Business Monitor, May 1995, pp. 3-4; see also Thomas R. Mattair, "Containment or Collision," Middle East Insight 11, no. 5 (July-August 1995).
37. Statements by President Rafsanjani, quoted in Kayhan Havai (Tehran), 6 December 1995, p. 1.
38. See The World Bank, Islamic Republic of Iran: Economic Management and Prospects (Washington, DC: The World Bank, November 1995); The International Monetary Fund (IMF), Islamic Republic of Iran: Statistical Appendix (Washington, DC: IMF, October 1996); and The UN Development Program (UNDP), Human Development Report 1996 (New York: UNDP, 1996).
39. See The World Bank, Islamic Republic of Iran: Economic Management and Prospects (Washington, DC: The World Bank, November 1995); The International Monetary Fund (IMF), Islamic Republic of Iran: Statistical Appendix (Washington, DC: IMF, October 1996); and The UN Development Program (UNDP), Human Development Report 1996 (New York: UNDP, 1996).
40. See The World Bank, Islamic Republic of Iran: Economic Management and Prospects (Washington, DC: The World Bank, November 1995); The International Monetary Fund (IMF), Islamic Republic of Iran: Statistical Appendix (Washington, DC: IMF, October 1996); and The UN Development Program (UNDP), Human Development Report 1996 (New York: UNDP, 1996).
41. All of these developments are reported in the weekly issues of Keyhan Havai for the years 1994-97 on which this section is based. The weekly issues of MEED for the same years also dutifully report them for English speaking readers.
42. For samples of these claims in 1996 alone, see "Iran to Manufacture Passenger Planes in 1988," Keyhan Havai, 28 August 1996; "Iran Has Largest Shipping Fleet in the Region," Keyhan Havai, 9 October 1996;
43. For samples of these claims in 1996 alone, see "Iran to Manufacture Passenger Planes in 1988," Keyhan Havai, 28 August 1996; "Iran Has Largest Shipping Fleet in the Region," Keyhan Havai, 9 October 1996;
44. "Iran to Help Muslim Countries Improve their Technology," Keyhan Havai, 19 October 1996;
45. and "Iranian-made Helicopter To Go into Operation Next Year," Keyhan Havai, 30 October 1996.
46. See "Iran Fighting US Sanctions," MEED 40, no. 4, 26 January 1996.
47. See Christian Science Monitor, 20 March 1996, p. 8.
48. Robert S. Greenberger, "World Bank to Suspend Lending to Iran," The New York Times, 10 September 1993.
49. "Showdown at the World Bank," MEED 39, no. 37, 15 September 1995, p. 5.
50. Comprehensive U.S. Sanctions Against Iran (Washington, DC: AIPAC, 1995), Ch. 4.
51. See Rahe Ayandeh (Washington), June 1995 and September 1996; and Nimrooz (London), 30 August 1996.
52. See Rahe Ayandeh (Washington), June 1995 and September 1996; and Nimrooz (London), 30 August 1996.
53. Laipson, "Symposium: U.S. Policy Toward Iran," p. 4.
54. Both testimonies are quoted in "Embargo," Iran Business Monitor, November 1995.
55. See statements by Gary Sick and Richard Cottam in, "Symposium: U.S. Policy Toward Iran," and Richard Murphy in Iran Business Monitor, May 1995, p. 4. The sanctions' costs for the United States have been estimated to be the loss of several thousand jobs and billions of dollars in exports. Officialdom in Washington has acknowledged that sanctions involve "some costs" for the United States, and are likely to inflict some "short-term dislocations" to some American interests. But these adverse effects are deemed justifiable and tolerable in the context of the threat posed by Iran's behavior.
56. "Containing Iraq and Iran," The Washington Post, 22 March 1996; see also "Loner," The Washington Post, 12 May 1996.
57. "Containing Iraq and Iran," The Washington Post, 22 March 1996; see also "Loner," The Washington Post, 12 May 1996.
58. "Handling Iran," The Economist 338, no. 7957, 16 March 1996, p. 17.
59. John R. West, "How to Avert a New Oil Crisis," The New York Times, 30 November 1996. See also Robert D. Kaplan, "Why the U.S. and Iran Will Be Friends Again," The Wall Street Journal, 10 February 1997.
60. John R. West, "How to Avert a New Oil Crisis," The New York Times, 30 November 1996. See also Robert D. Kaplan, "Why the U.S. and Iran Will Be Friends Again," The Wall Street Journal, 10 February 1997.
61. For an impassioned expression of these views, see H. Amir Ahmadi, "Dual Containment Policy Rests on Faulty Grounds," Iran Business Monitor, December 1995.
62. See Alon Ben-Meir, "Why It's Time for a New Policy on Iran," Christian Science Monitor, 27 February 1996, p. 19; see also Colin MacKinon, "Iran Sanctions," The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs 14, no. 8 (April 1996), p. 91.
63. See Alon Ben-Meir, "Why It's Time for a New Policy on Iran," Christian Science Monitor, 27 February 1996, p. 19; see also Colin MacKinon, "Iran Sanctions," The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs 14, no. 8 (April 1996), p. 91.
64. See IMF, Islamic Republic of Iran: Statistical Appendix, for sources of data.
65. See Farhad Kazemi, "The Iranian Enigma," Current History 96, no. 606 (January 1997).
66. See Karen Dabrowska, "Iran Balances Dogma With Pragmatism," Middle East International, no. 519, 16 February 1996, p. 18.