Churkin thinks it realistic to pass statement banning oil exports by terrorists in Syria

UNITED NATIONS-The United Nations Security Council continues work on Russia-proposed draft statement targeting to fight against illegal oil purchases from terrorists in Syria, Russian Permanent Representative at the United Nations Vitaly Churkin told journalists on Friday, according to Itar Tass.

The document, he said, had all the chances to be finally adopted. “We are working on it. I think there is a real chance for it to be adopted. I hope for that because it is undisputable that terrorism must not be sponsored. And this is the key element of the document. We know that this is happening in Iraq and Syria,” the Russian diplomat said, adding that the document when passed “will send a very powerful signal” to countries warning them to refrain from taking part in deals that might be considered as financing of terrorist activities.

The draft statement was submitted to the United Nations Security Council at the beginning of the current month. It expresses concern over the seizure of oil fields in Syria by terrorist groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Jabhat al-Nusra, and underscores that any export or import of oil without a permit from a sovereign state is illegal. The document warns that involvement in such deals will be qualified as financing terrorist organizations, which is fraught with putting on the United Nations Security Council’s blacklist which entails sanctions.

H.M