Honeywell Corp. pledges ‘no new assignments in Iran’
The Morristown-based Honeywell Corporation assured Jewish leaders that it would fully comply with a sanctions bill meant to curb Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons program.
The bill, passed by Congress in July, prohibits corporations from “directly or significantly” contributing to development of petroleum resources in Iran.
Local Jewish leaders had been seeking “a definitive and clear commitment” that Honeywell would conduct no future business in Iran as long as it is subject to sanctions.
Thomas Buckmaster, president of Honeywell Home Solutions, seemed to offer that commitment in a Nov. 23 response to local leaders.
“Honeywell is compliant with all United States laws and all laws of every country where we operate,” wrote Buckmaster. “We have agreed to accept no new assignments in Iran.”
The response was addressed to Gary Aidekman, president of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ; Max Kleinman, its executive vice president; David Lentz, chair of the UJC MetroWest Community Relations Committee; and Danielle Flaum, founder and director of No Nukes for Iran.
The recipients welcomed Honeywell’s assurances, but were seeking more information.
The company’s response is “a good first step,” said Lentz, “but I don’t think it is sufficient in addressing our principal concerns. We need to determine whether the new sanctions regimen requires separation from all existing projects and existing contracts, or whether there is a loophole permitting existing contracts to be completed.”
“We are winding down the existing work and we are not accepting any new orders,” responded Honeywell spokesperson Rob Ferris.
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