International Digest

Turkey wants US waiver
ANKARA – Turkey could still get a waiver over sanctions which the United States plans to implement on countries buying oil from Iran despite not being named on a list of exempted nations released by Washington, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said yesterday.

The United States exempted Japan and 10 EU nations from financial sanctions because they have significantly cut purchases of Iranian crude oil, but left Iran’s top customers China and India exposed to the possibility of such steps.Yildiz said Turkey would continue to buy oil from Iran until existing contracts expire.EU fails to agree exemptions for Iran crude insuranceBRUSSELS – European Union diplomats on Tuesday postponed a decision on whether to grant any exemptions to insurance provided for Iranian crude shipments when the bloc implements oil sanctions on Iran, an EU diplomat said.Asian oil importers have lobbied European governments for exceptions to ensure oil deliveries, but some EU capitals are wary of weakening the impact of EU measures on Iran.On Tuesday, representatives in Brussels of EU governments debated a proposal to allow all insurance on Iranian crude bound for countries outside the EU to be extended until July 1. But there was no agreement. European debt crisis hits aircraft financingSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Airlines that rely on European banks to finance aircraft purchases will have to find alternative backing for their deals as the debt crisis intensifies this year, US airline executives said on Tuesday.’While it may take a little time, there will be some institution somewhere in the world that will step in because aircraft as collateral are among the most attractive type of collateral you can lend against,’ said Gerry Laderman, senior vice president and treasurer of United Continental Holdings Inc, the parent of United Airlines.Speaking on a panel hosted by the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading, Laderman said it is disappointing to see a prominent financing avenue impaired.