02 October 2004	Saturday	16 Shaban 1425

NEW DELHI, Oct 1: India said on Friday it had asked the United States to withdraw sanctions it had imposed against two Indian scientists accused by Washington of selling technology for weapons of mass destruction to Iran.

Foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters that the two had sold neither materials, equipment nor technology. "No transfer of sensitive technology has taken place," he said. "Our track record in this is well-known. The US government has been asked to review the issue and withdraw the sanctions."

Earlier this week, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told a press briefing in Washington that two Indian scientists were among "14 entities" against which the United States has imposed sanctions.

He did not specify which entities were individuals or firms. But he said there were seven from China, two from India and one each in Belarus, North Korea, Russia, Spain and Ukraine.

"The penalties apply to the entities themselves and not to countries or governments," Boucher said. The penalties prohibit those named under the sanctions from visiting the United States or doing business with any US-based companies. -AFP