By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, June 27 -- Amid fighting for the Baiji oil refinery in Iraq, a draft UN Security Council presidential statement has been circulated to discourage the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) from profiting from oil sales.
The draft was announced in Moscow and on June 26 at Russia's UN Mission on 67 Street in Manhattan by UN Ambassador Vitaly I. Churkin. Inner City Press asked as it had at the UN's June 26 noon briefing about Iraq's letter seeking “logistical” help from UN member states to fight off ISIS or ISIL; Ambassador Churkin confirmed receipt and circulation of the letter.
(Inner City Press, before asking about Iraq's letter at the June 26 UN noon briefing, tweeted what Iraq's Permanent Representative told it just after turning the letter in, here; don't believe the Gulf hype.)
Inner City Press: The Permanent Representative of Iraq told me that he submitted a letter to the Secretary-General and to the Council saying that the country wants logistical support from Member States. I wanted to know, is that the case? And what’s the Secretariat doing on such a letter?
Spokesman Dujarric: Well, yes, the letter has been received. It was addressed… it was asked to be circulated to the Security Council, so I’m sure it will be if it hasn’t already done so, and I think that’s a matter for Member States to look at.
Now from reliable sources, this draft Presidential Statement or PRST has been circulated:
“The Security Council recalls its resolution 2146 (2014) and expresses grave concern over the access to and seizure of the oilfields in Syria by the terrorist groups in Syria, namely 'Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant' and 'Jabhat Al-Nusra,' and recalls in this regard that any export or import of crude without authorization of sovereign State is illegal,
The Security Council notes with concern that the oilfields and related infrastructure if controlled by terrorist organizations generate one of the main sources of income for terrorists which supports their recruitment efforts and strengthens their operational capability to organize and carry out terrorist attacks,
The Security Council strongly condemns any engagement in direct or indirect trade of oil from Syria involving terrorist groups, and reminds that such engagement constitutes financial support for entities designated by the Security Council 1267/1989 Committee as terrorist and may lead to further listings by the Committee.
The Security Council recalls the obligation of the Member States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts.
The Security Council encourages all Member States to take necessary measures to prevent their nationals and entities and individuals in their territory from engaging in any commercial and financial transactions with respect to crude oil in Syria in the possession of non-state actors or sold by them,
The Security Council calls upon all Member States to cooperate closely should any information on such activity be available to them.”
But will they? Watch this site.
