Caving Into Pressure From Abroad?

Is it an olive branch or an acknowledgement of souring world opinion of US policies?

Despite recent rhetoric over alleged Iranian ties to terrorism and that country's pursuit of a nuclear program, the US is approving the sale of spare parts for Iranian airliners.

The parts include items banned for export to Iran by the Bush administration. But the State Department says the US doesn't want to be seen as jeopardizing air safety.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told the Associated Press "We do not want to be in a position of threatening civil aviation. The United States is focused on the pressing humanitarian concerns that affect the Iranian people."

The decision follows a warning from the FAA concerning the airworthiness of the GE-built engines used on Iranian state airline's Airbus aircraft. According to Reuters, the FAA says the turbines need immediate overhaul.

The US currently bans nearly all trade with Iran, calling the country a terrorist sponsor.

The State and Commerce departments approved a license to General Electric for the parts and technical data necessary to overhaul a limited number of engines.

FMI: www.state.gov, www.commerce.gov