Kucinich lauds Treasury for allowing cash aid to Iranian earthquake victims

By Julian Pecquet - 08/21/12 03:52 PM ET

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) declared “victory” Tuesday in his quest to have the Obama administration allow cash transfers to Iranian groups helping victims of the Aug. 11 earthquake.

Kucinich had led a group of 14 lawmakers in urging the administration to allow U.S. nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to send money to help the victims of the earthquake, which they're barred from doing under sanctions aimed at getting Iran to renounce its alleged nuclear weapons program. The Treasury Department on Tuesday issued a temporary exemption to the sanctions, known as a general license, that allows U.S. NGOs to transfer up to $300,000 until Oct. 5 to be used for humanitarian relief and reconstruction activities related to the earthquake response. NGOs interested in transferring more than $300,000 during the 45-day period may apply for a specific license.

“The people of Iran are suffering, and we have it in our capacity to alleviate some of that suffering,” Kucinich, a leading opponent of military action against Iran, said in a statement. “It is the strength of the American people that we help those in need. I thank President Obama for heeding our call, and the call of the American people to allow humanitarian aid to reach the people of Iran.”

Others said Treasury's approach was too restrictive, however.

“Treasury's announcement today is a big step forward,” Kay Guinane, the director of the Charity and Security Network, told The Hill in an email. “I am concerned about the $300,000 spending limit and the vague description of the reporting requirement. Reporting the name of the Iranian NGOs that receive funds is feasible — reporting names of individuals getting the aid would not be feasible or desirable.”

Guinane said the general license issued for Syria last year, which allows U.S. NGOs to operate programs and partner with Syrian charities to provide humanitarian relief, democracy building, health and education services, would be a better fit. She said she hoped Treasury would reassess in October to see if the Iran license needs to be extended.