Germany churned out $5147 million worth of exports towards Iran in 2006, a plus of 185% since 2002. The United States can be proud of a 627% increase in the same time period or $109 million last year. In comes tyrant Ahmadinedschad who wants to wipe out Israel and plays catch me if you can with the UN - the biggest concern is Iranians atomic capability.

Meanwhile in Crawford this weekend, Merkel and Bush went for a ride in George’s pick-up truck and returned with an expected result,

I’m deeply convinced diplomatic possibilities have not yet been exhausted. We can solve this by using diplomatic means, and also we want to solve this by diplomatic means.

Bush played along for the moment. I wonder whether Dick was on the ranch since Halliburton is still writing bills. And it looks like the anti-terror financiers Stuart Levey left his mark on Merkel. In Crawford she agreed to pressure German companies to freeze their business with Iran, only if the much acclaimed Middle East diplomacy à la Rice fails of course.

There is no guarantee since it depends on how well you defend your business interests; we might see another 627% increase once the diplomatic option is exhausted. I heard Lybia and Pakistan also do imports.