WASHINGTON (Halliburton, the oil services giant once headed by Vice President Dick Cheney, has done business in Iran, Iraq and Libya for years despite US embargoes, according to documents released by a lawmaker.

A letter from Representative Henry Waxman, obtained Tuesday, said Halliburton's dealings with countries cited by Washington as state sponsors of terrorism or members of the so-called "axis of evil" dates back to the 1980s.

The dealings "appear to have continued during the period between 1995 and 2000, when Vice President Cheney headed the company; and they are apparently ongoing even today," said Waxman, a Democrat and frequent critic of President George W. Bush's administration.

Waxman, who has previously expressed concern about Halliburton's multimillion dollar contracts for postwar Iraq, made his latest comments in a letter April 30 to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

"Halliburton has recently been awarded a leading -- and lucrative --- role in the US war against terrorism," Waxman wrote.

"Yet there is also evidence from press accounts and other sources that indicates that Halliburton has profited from numerous business dealings with state sponsors of terrorism, including two of the three members of President Bush's 'axis of evil.'"

The "axis of evil" first cited by Bush in early 2002 included Iraq, prior to the US-led war, as well as Iran and North Korea.

Waxman stopped short of saying Halliburton's actions violated US laws that prohibit business dealings in certain countries, but maintained that Halliburton "appears to have sought to circumvent these restrictions by setting up subsidiaries in foreign countries and territories such as the Cayman Islands."

Some of the involvement of Halliburton is detailed in company documents including its annual reports.

Halliburton spokesman Wendy Hall did not dispute the Waxman allegations, but said the company operates within the law while trying to remain competitive with US and foreign rivals.

"Putting politics aside, we and our affiliates operate in countries, to the extent it is legally permissible, where our customers are active as they expect us to provide oilfield services support to their international operations," Hall said in a written statement.

"Where the United States government has mandated that United States companies refrain from commerce, we comply, often to the advantage of our international competitors. We do not always agree with policies or actions of governments in every place that we do business and make no excuses for their behaviors."

As for the actions of Halliburton offshore subsidiaries, Hall said, "The company believes that the operations of its subsidiaries are in compliance with US laws. These entities and activities are staffed and managed by non-US personnel."

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