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THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF THEIR HOSTAGES IS NOT
INEXHAUSTIBLE, AND PURELY DIPLOMATIC ACTION HAS SO FAR
FAILED TO SECURE THEIR RELEASE. IT IS VITAL THAT WE
DEMONSTRATE OUR SUPPORT TO THE UNITED STATES AND SHOW
IRAN THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL NOT TOLERATE
ITS CONTINUED VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.
(C) WILL NOT SANCTIONS HURT US MORE THAN IRAN?
WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THE IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS
AGAINST IRAN WITH OUR EUROPEAN AND OTHER PARTNERS.
IN DRAWING UP THE NECESSARY ORDERS, WE WILL BEAR IN
MIND BOTH THE PURPOSE OF SANCTIONS AND THEIR INTENDED
EFFECT.
(D) WHAT IS THE BASIS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW FOR THE
ACTION HMG IS TAKING?
IRAN HAS FLAGRANTLY VIOLATED ONE OF THE OLDEST
ESTABLISHED AND MOST FUNDAMENTAL RULES OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW. THIS AFFECTS ALL STATES WHO
ARE PARTY TO THE VIENNA CONVENTION ON DIPLOMATIC
RELATIONS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR OWN BILATERAL
RELATIONS WITH IRAN. THIS IS SUFFICIENT BASIS FOR
COLLECTIVE REPRISALS BY ALL REPEAT ALL PARTIES TO THE
VIENNA CONVENTION.
EXISTING CONTRACTS
7.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE COVERAGE
ENVISAGED BY HMG SINCE THE NEW BILL DOES NOT COVER CONTRACTS
ALREADY IN EXISTENCE. IT HAS THEREFORE BEEN ASSUMED BY THE MEDIA
THAT THE EXPORTS OF GOODS UNDER EXISTING CONTRACTS WILL NOT BE
AFFECTED BY THE SANCTIONS NOW BEING CONTEMPLATED BY THE NINE.
BUT HMG IN FACT HAS POWERS TO DO THIS UNDER THE 1939 ACT, AND
WILL BE ABLE TO BAN EXPORTS UNDER EXISTING CONTRACTS IF THEY SO
WISH. BUT HOW THE EXPORT OF GOODS UNDER EXISTING CONTRACTS IS
TO BE TREATED, AND WHAT OBLIGATIONS HMG MAY HAVE TO COMPANIES
AFFECTED BY SUCH A BAN, IS STILL UNDER DISCUSSION. WE ARE
ATTEMPTING TO HARMONISE WITH OUR EC PARTNERS OUR POSITION ON
THIS POINT. NO FINAL DECISIONS WILL BE TAKEN UNTIL 17 MAY.
(FURTHER DETAILS OF THIS QUESTION ARE BEING SENT SEPARATELY TO WASHINGTON AND EC CAPITALS). CARRINGTON
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