51.   France said Wednesday it would take immediate counter-measures if French firms are affected by the US law.

52.   If passed, the law would mainly affect the Coca-Cola company, which started production in the northeastern city of Mashhad three years ago.

53.   But Robert Kyle, assistant to the president for international economic affairs, said that the law did not affect existing contracts.

54.   Officials said the law affected all new and existing projects which could harm the environment.

55.   The laws would not affect current citizens, Ruddock said.

56.   The group said the law had already affected construction of a Cuban housing project sponsored by development agencies because it penalizes the Mexican cement company CEMEX.