Dorgan Calls for Food Sales to Iran

August 30, 1999

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) has joined a growing chorus on Capitol Hill calling for revised rules that will allow food and medical sales to Iran. Dorgan's request came after Iran bought 1 million tons of wheat from Canada instead of the United States

Last week, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) criticized the Clinton Administration for prohibiting U.S. export credit guarantees to help finance food sales to Iran. "The president needs to intervene," Dorgan said. "He needs to insist that the Treasury Department come up with regulations that allow his policy to work."

Under new trade rules, U.S. firms still cannot deal directly with Iranian banks. Dorgan blamed the ban for Iran backing out on a proposed purchase of 3.55 million tons of U.S. food products, including 2 million tons of wheat.

"The president's policy is that such sales should be made," Dorgan says, "Red tape shouldn't block it."