Global General
US eases Internet sanctions to Iran, Cuba, Sudan
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-09 01:21
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WASHINGTON - US Treasury Department on Monday eased sanctions on Internet services export to Iran, Sudan and Cuba, in an attempt to ensure people in the countries can exercise "their universal right to free speech and information to the greatest extent possible."
The department amended the Iranian Transactions Regulations, Sudanese Sanctions Regulations, and Cuban Assets Control Regulations, adding general licenses authorizing the exportation of certain personal Internet-based communications services, such as instant messaging, chat and email, and social networking, to the three countries.
The amendments also permit the exportation of related software to Iran and Sudan.
"Consistent with the Administration's deep commitment to the universal rights of all the world's citizens, the issuance of these general licenses will make it easier for individuals in Iran, Sudan and Cuba to use the Internet to communicate with each other and with the outside world," said Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin.
The move came after the Obama administration set promoting global Internet freedom as a very important approach to strengthen U.S. dominance in the international system.
In a speech on Internet freedom this January, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the United States has been devoting the diplomatic, economic and technological resources necessary to advance the Internet freedom.
"Our foreign policy is premised on the idea that no country more than America stands to benefit when there is cooperation among peoples and states. And no country shoulders a heavier burden when conflict and misunderstanding drive nations apart," said Clinton.
