THE IRANIAN TRADE ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS SANCTIONS REFORM

The Iranian Trade Association welcomes President Clinton's decision to
ease U.S. economic sanctions on Iran to allow the sale of food and medicine to that country.

This decision provides further evidence of growing recognition in
Washington DC that unilateral sanctions have only harmed American business interests, without a corresponding achievement in foreign policy goals.

The Iranian Trade Association considers today's announcement to be a
positive step towards much-needed sanctions policy reform, and urges
Congress and the White House to follow up on today's decision with a
comprehensive review of U.S. sanctions policy with respect to Iran.

Prior to the imposition of unilateral economic sanctions, Iran was one of
the world's largest markets for American agricultural products. Since
then, Australia, Argentina and Europe have replaced the U.S. as Iran's
main suppliers. During 1994-97. for example, Iran imported an average of
4.45 million tons of wheat, 1.86 million tons of coarse grains, 543,000
tons of soymeal and 408,000 tons of soybean oil. The U.S. is among the
most competitive suppliers of each product. Until now, however, American
farmers and exporters currently cannot sell these or any other products to
Iran.

THE IRANIAN TRADE ASSOCIATION (ITA) IS A NON-PROFIT, BUSINESS ASSOCIATION THAT PROVIDES TRADE INFORMATION, LEADS AN ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN TO LIFT THE US TRADE SANCTIONS ON IRAN, AND ORGANIZES BUSINESS CONFERENCES WORLDWIDE. ITA MEMBERS INCLUDE IRANIAN- AMERICANS, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, AND MAJOR COMPANIES SUCH AS CONOCO AND ARCO. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT MR. SHAHRIAR AFSHAR, ITA PRESIDENT, AT 858-554-1220.