THE LIFTING OF UN SANCTIONS ON THE TALIBAN: July 15, 2011
“The U.N. committee that oversees the Taliban blacklist dropped 14 names on Friday at the Afghan government’s urging, including several members of the peace council that President Hamid Karzai formed to find a political solution to the country’s insurgency.
The Afghan government had asked the sanctions committee to drop up to 50 former Taliban leaders from its list, and provided extensive documentation aimed at showing they have since been reintegrated into society. Removing sanctions against former Afghan Taliban, including a travel ban and assets freeze, is seen as key to promoting dialogue.”
“Another 123 names remain after Friday’s “de-listing.”
Those taken off the list included Arsala Rahmani, the Taliban’s former deputy minister of higher education; Habibullah Fawzi, who once served as the Taliban’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia; and Faqir Mohammad Khan, a former Taliban deputy minister, all of them are on Karzai’s 70-member High Peace Council.
Sanctions were also dropped against Sayed Rahman Haqani, who had been a deputy minister of mines and industries in the Taliban regime and now works with the peace council.
The action follows the Security Council’s recent decision to treat al-Qaida and the Taliban separately when it comes to U.N. sanctions. The move was designed to better support Afghan reconciliation efforts and fight global terrorism more effectively.
While Al-Qaida is focused on worldwide jihad against the West and establishment of a religious state in the Muslim world, Afghan Taliban militants have focused on their own country and have shown little interest in attacking targets abroad.
Karzai has been making peace overtures to members of the Taliban, which ruled Afghanistan for five years and sheltered al-Qaida before being driven out of power in the U.S.-led invasion in late 2001.”
SOURCE
“At Afghanistan's urging, sanctions committee drops 14 former Taliban from UN blacklist,” Associated Press, July 16, 2011
SWISS SANCTIONS ON LIBYA: June 7, 2011
“The Swiss government says it has frozen a further 290 million Swiss francs ($350 million) worth of Libyan assets in Switzerland.
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey says the value of Libyan assets now blocked on Swiss accounts totals 650 million francs ($780 million).
Calmy-Rey told the Swiss parliament Tuesday that the vast majority of newly discovered assets belong to Libyan public companies rather than individuals.
Switzerland has joined other European countries and the United States in blocking funds linked to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, his entourage and state-owned companies controlled by them.
Banks and other financial institutions are required to declare any assets they hold that belong to persons or organizations subject to sanctions.”
SOURCE
“Switzerland finds further $350 million in Libya assets taking total blocked to $780 million,” Associated Press, June 7, 2011.
US SANCTIONS ON ENTITIES TRADING WITH IRAN: May 24, 2011
“The Obama administration on Tuesday hit seven foreign companies, including Venezuela’s state-owned oil company and an Israeli shipping firm, with sanctions for doing business with Iran that helps fund its nuclear program. At the same time, the administration imposed separate sanctions on more than 15 people and companies in China, Iran, North Korea, Syria and elsewhere for illicit trading in missile technology and weapons of mass destruction.
The State Department announced the penalties as the administration widened the scope of measures against firms that supply or transport refined petroleum products, including gasoline, to Iran. The announcement came a day after President Barack Obama signed an executive order giving the departments of Treasury and State more leeway in targeting companies involved in Iran’s energy sector in order to boost pressure on Iran to meet international demands and prove its nuclear program is peaceful.
Members of Congress welcomed the sanctions, which are the first specifically related to refined petroleum exports to Iran since legislation to allow for such measures was approved last year by Congress and signed into law by Obama. Nine other companies have been hit with sanctions under broader provisions of the law.
The affected companies include Petróleos de Venezuela, Tanker Pacific of Singapore, Ofer Brothers Group of Israel, Associated Shipbroking of Monaco, Petrochemical Commercial Company International of Jersey and Iran, the Royal Oyster Group of the United Arab Emirates and Speedy Ship of the United Arab Emirates and Iran.
“All of these companies have engaged in activities related to the supply of refined petroleum products to Iran, including the direct supply of gasoline and related products,” Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said in announcing the sanctions. U.S. officials say Iran uses revenue from its energy sector to fund its nuclear program. “Those who continue to irresponsibly support Iran’s energy sector and help facilitate Iran’s efforts to evade U.S. sanctions will face serious consequences.”
For the most part, the sanctions will cut the companies off from business with the United States, although Steinberg said the penalties had been tailored to fit each firm. Petróleos de Venezuela, for example, will be barred from any U.S. government contracts, U.S. import-export financing and export licenses for sensitive technology. But it will not be banned from selling oil to the United States or affect any of its subsidiaries, including the U.S. firm Citgo.” (A)
“The administration credits the sanctions law with persuading five major multinational oil firms to withdraw from business deals with Iran and convince major insurers such as Lloyd’s of London to stop covering shipments of refined petroleum to Iran. The State Department says it has also convinced jet fuel suppliers in 17 European nations to which Iran Air flies to stop providing fuel to its planes.” (A)
“Under the U.S. sanctions, PDVSA is barred from any U.S. government contracts, from U.S. taxpayer-subsidized import-export financing and from export licenses for sensitive technology. But PDVSA can continue selling oil to the United States or dealing with its U.S. subsidiaries.” (C)
VENEZUELA'S RESPONSES
“Venezuela sells more than half of its oil exports to the United States, an amount that has varied recently between 900,000 and 1.2 barrels a day.
Thousands of PDVSA employees and supporters of President Hugo Chavez denounced the U.S. measures during a second day of rallies Thursday in Caracas and other parts of the country.” (B)
“Venezuela’s relations with the U.S. are frozen and President Hugo Chavez’s government sees no possibility of improving them after its state oil company was hit with sanctions by Washington, the country’s top diplomat said Sunday.” (C)
“Chavez has persistently defended Iran’s nuclear energy program, saying it is for peaceful uses.
The U.S. and Venezuela have been without ambassadors in each other’s capitals since July 2010, when U.S. envoy Patrick Duddy finished his assignment and left Caracas. Chavez later rejected Obama’s nominee for ambassador, Larry Palmer, accusing him of making disrespectful remarks about Venezuela’s government. That led Washington to revoke the visa of the Venezuelan ambassador.” (C)
“The U.S. also imposed penalties on Venezuela’s Military Industries Co. for violating the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act by selling or buying sensitive equipment and technology related to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile systems.” (C)
SOURCES
“US slaps sanctions on state-owned Venezuela oil firm for doing business with Iran,” Associated Press, May 24, 2011. (A)
“Venezuela's top diplomat says US sanctions mostly affect American businesses,” Associated Press, May 27, 2011. (B)
“Venezuela's foreign minister says relations with Washington are 'frozen' following sanctions,” Associated Press, June 6, 2011. (C)
US SANCTIONS ON SYRIA: May 18, 2011
“The Obama administration ramped up the pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday with economic sanctions that targeted his personal finances and linked him explicitly to human rights abuses in his government’s brutal, two-month-old crackdown on demonstrators.
The sanctions, which named six other top Syrian officials, represented a significant escalation in the administration’s public criticism of the Assad regime, marking the first time the ruler was penalized for the ongoing clashes that have left more than 900 people dead and thousands in prison. The White House did not assert that Assad should resign.
The economic measures, although largely symbolic, appeared to embolden the country’s anti-government movement. Widespread demonstrations were reported after nightfall Wednesday as opposition leaders cheered the mounting international pressure on Assad.
“President al-Assad and his regime must immediately end the use of violence, answer the calls of the Syrian people for a more representative government and embark upon the path of meaningful democratic reform,” David S. Cohen, the Treasury Department’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in announcing the move.
The executive order signed by President Obama essentially freezes any U.S. assets owned by Assad or other top security and political officials. The others named are Vice President Farouk al-Charaa, Prime Minister Adel Safar, Interior Minister Mohammad Ibrahim al-Shaar, Defense Minister Ali Habib Mahmoud and two intelligence chiefs: Abdul Fatah Qudsiya, the head of military intelligence, and Mohammed Dib Zaitoun, director of the Political Security Directorate.” (D)
“Protesters have continued to take to the streets in towns and cities across the country on successive Fridays over the past eight weeks, despite a massive security crackdown in which tanks have bombarded residential neighborhoods and thousands of people have been detained. Wissam Tarif of Insan, a human rights group based in Spain that concentrates on the Middle East and North Africa, said he has recorded 920 deaths.
Demonstrations were reported in numerous Syrian towns Wednesday evening, suggesting that the protest movement has been energized. Night protests have been taking place on weekdays in Syria, but an unusual number of towns reportedly joined in Wednesday.
Videos posted on YouTube showed protesters marching in the darkness in Homs, Hama, Idlib and several other locations, including Midan, the only neighborhood of Damascus where there have been significant attempts to demonstrate.
The crackdown has failed to deter demonstrations in protest flash points, but the opposition movement has not made significant inroads into the capital or Syria’s largest city, Aleppo, denying the protesters the critical mass that forced the fall of the presidents of Egypt and Tunisia.” (D)
GOALS
“Although senior administration officials left open the possibility that Mr. Assad could still negotiate a way to remain in power, their tone has sharpened drastically as Syrian security forces continued to resort to “wanton violence, intimidation and repression,” as one official put it Wednesday. The official echoed remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton last week that inched the United States closer to calling explicitly for Mr. Assad’s ouster, saying that “the country cannot go back to the way it was before.”
“President Assad has a clear choice: it’s either to lead this transition to democracy, or to leave,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity under rules imposed by the administration.” (A)
SYMBOLIC EFFECTS
“It was the second round of sanctions against Syria in three weeks. A senior administration official involved in preparing the sanctions said the White House was responding to sharply deteriorating conditions in Syria, where unarmed demonstrators have been attacked by government tanks in at least two cities.
Administration officials did not quantify how much property, if any, is owned by Assad and his inner circle. But Elliott Abrams, who was a top national security adviser to President George W. Bush and is a frequent critic of the Obama administration’s foreign policy, said singling out Assad for sanctions was an important move, even if mostly symbolic.
“Many Syrians believe the Obama administration wants Assad to stay in power,” Abrams said. “This move helps change that view.”” (D)
“Protesters “have felt in the last eight weeks that they’ve been left alone by the international community,” Tarif said. “There’s no doubt that these sanctions will encourage the Syrian street and will generate a feeling that Assad is accountable.”” (D)
SYRIA'S REACTIONS
“The Syrian government condemned on Thursday American sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad and six of his top officials over the ferocious crackdown on antigovernment protesters that human rights activists say has killed at least 850 people.
The Syrian state news agency said that the sanctions were “one in a series of sanctions imposed by the U.S. administration against the Syrian people as part of the U.S. regional policies serving Israel.” The report added that the move “would not affect Syria’s independent choices and steadfastness.”” (C)
“Syrian forces kept up a relentless campaign against the country’s two-month uprising Thursday, using tanks to shell a besieged border town as President Barack Obama called on Syria’s president to lead his country to democracy or “get out of the way.”
President Bashar Assad has taken pains to portray confidence and a steely determination in recent days amid signs that his brutal crackdown is terrifying the population into submission. …
The Syrian army shelled the town of Talkalakh overnight and early Thursday, sparking gunbattles that killed at least eight people.” (E)
SOURCES
Steven Lee Myers and Anthony Shadid, “U.S. imposed sanctions on Syrian leader and 6 aides,” New York Times, May 18, 2011. (A)
“Syrian leader defiant over 'crisis' as US widens sanctions,” Associated Press, May 18, 2011. (B)
“Syria condemns U.S. sanctions on Assad,” New York Times, May 19, 2011. (C)
“Obama imposes sanctions on Syrian leader, 6 aides,” Washington Post, May 19, 2011. (D)
“Syria defies US sanctions, uses tanks and shelling to crush dissent,” Associated Press, May 19, 2011. (E)
US SANCTIONS ON HAQQANI IN AFGHANISTAN AND PAKSITAN: May 11, 2011
“The Obama administration is expanding sanctions against leaders of the Haqqani network of insurgents that operates in Afghanistan and Pakistan, blacklisting a son of the group’s founder who is believed responsible for kidnappings and organizing high-profile attacks.
The State and Treasury departments said Wednesday that they had added Badruddin Haqqani to their list of “specially designated global terrorists,” a step that will freeze any assets he may have in U.S. jurisdictions. It also bars Americans from doing business with him or for his benefit. Haqqani joins his father and two brothers on the list.
The State Department says the step will help stem the flow of financial assistance to a dangerous individual.”
SOURCE
“US freezes assets of Haqqani commander blamed in kidnappings, attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan,” Associated Press, May 11, 2011.
EU SANCTIONS ON ZIMBABWE: May 4, 2011
“The European Union said Wednesday that six Zimbabwean state-media journalists are on a sanctions list because their reporting incites hatred that media groups say has led to political violence.
EU Ambassador Aldo Dell’Ariccia said the journalists’ work could be seen as an “incitement to hatred.”
The journalists who fiercely support President Robert Mugabe are among some 200 individuals linked to Mugabe’s party who face banking and travel bans from the EU, the US and Britain. The sanctions were imposed to protest years of rights violations in the southern African nation.
Mugabe called for elections this year to end a shaky coalition with the former opposition. Independent media groups say there has since been a surge in inflammatory reporting in pro-Mugabe media outlets, which has in turn fueled political violence.”
“On Tuesday, Mugabe’s print and television media Tuesday accused Western countries of “muzzling” its journalists by adding them to the sanctions list during years of economic and political turmoil.
The state daily, the Herald, said the journalists had been “censored” by the West in reporting on international issues.”
SOURCE
“EU says state journalists loyal to Zimbabwe's president sanctioned for 'incitement to hatred,” The Associated Press, May 4, 2011.
US SANCTIONS ON SYRIA: April 29, 2011
“The Obama administration slapped sanctions on three Syrian officials and Syria’s intelligence service on Friday in what was described as a warning shot against President Bashar al-
Assad’s government after weeks of steadily worsening violence against protesters.
The measures targeting key members of Assad’s security apparatus came amid reports of dozens more deaths across the country as Syrians rallied in several cities — including, for the first time, in large numbers in Damascus, the capital — for a national “Day of Rage” denouncing government brutality.
Tens of thousands of Syrians poured out of mosques and into the streets after Friday prayers for what appeared to be the biggest demonstrations yet in the country. The large turnout, after days of deadly clashes, suggests that the will of the protesters remains unbroken despite the government’s stepped-up efforts to crush the uprising.
Human rights groups said that at least 48 people were killed nationwide when troops opened fire on demonstrators on Friday. Fifteen of them were killed outside the southern town of Daraa, the epicenter of the protests and a rallying point for the uprising after civilians there were besieged by army tanks on Monday.” (B)
“The Obama administration on Friday imposed financial penalties against three top Syrian officials, Syria’s intelligence agency and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard over the violent crackdown on demonstrators in Syria.
The penalties freeze any assets that the officials, including two relatives of Syrian President Bashar Assad, as well as Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate and the Qods Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with them.
President Barack Obama authorized the action for repression and human rights abuses committed by Syrian authorities seeking to quell six weeks of protests. Activists say more than 500 people have been killed, 42 on Friday alone.
The White House said the penalties affect Maher Assad, Assad’s brother and commander of the Syrian Army’s Fourth Armored Division, which is accused of carrying out the worst atrocities in the southern city of Daraa; Assad cousin Atif Najib, the former head of the Political Security Directorate in Daraa Province; and intelligence chief Ali Mamluk.
“The United States strongly condemns the Syrian government’s continued use of violence and intimidation against the Syrian people,” according to the U.S. statement. “We call upon the Syrian regime and its supporters to refrain from further acts of violence and other human rights abuses against Syrian citizens seeking to express their political aspirations.”” (A)
“Although Assad himself is not among those mentioned Friday, officials said he could be named at a later date if the crackdown continues. In a related move, the Commerce Department said it was revoking licenses for the export to Syria of items relating to VIP aircraft used to transport senior Syrian officials.” (A)
“Syria is already under U.S. sanctions because it’s designated a “state sponsor of terrorism” by the State Department. The new ones extend the penalties to individuals.” (A)
“Friday’s announcements came as Syrian security forces opened fire on demonstrators trying to break an army blockade on Daraa, while thousands across the country defied a protest ban and denounced Assad. At least 42 people were killed, including 15 in the march on Daraa, according to witnesses and a human rights group.” (A)
GOALS
“U.S. officials made clear that the sanctions were intended to pressure Assad to halt the violence. The presidential order authorizing the economic penalties also permits the administration to add the names of any Syrian government officials who participated in the attacks on protesters or were “complicit” in them.” (B)
EXPECTED EFFECTS
“The penalties probably will have limited direct impact because none of the targets is believed to have any significant assets in U.S. banks. But officials said the move was aimed at sending a clear message to the Syrian people that those responsible for the crackdown are going to face consequences and no one in the Syrian leadership will be immune.” (A)
SOURCES
“US imposes financial sanctions on Syrian officials, Iran Revolutionary Guard over crackdown, Associated Press, Apr. 29, 2011. (A)
Joby Warrick and Liz Sly, “U.S. imposes sanctions on Syria's intelligence service, security officials,” Washington Post, Apr. 29, 2011. (B)
US SANCTIONS ON VENEZUELA: April 15, 2011
“The Federal Reserve on Friday announced fines totaling $1.8 million against the Venezuelan government bank and its agencies in Miami and New York.
The Federal Reserve also announced an order restricting the bank from “making new loans or taking on new customers” without the approval of U.S. banking supervisors.
U.S. authorities said in the order that the Venezuelan bank had engaged in “recklessly unsafe and unsound” banking practices in the United States, including operating with insufficient capital and failing to have adequate management or oversight. . . .
As part of the U.S. order, the bank is now required to lay out plans for improving management and controls.”
SOURCE
“Venezuelan opposition politician demands investigation of state bank fined by US authorities,” Associated Press, Apr. 18, 2011.
US SANCTIONS ON ZIMBABWE: March 2, 2011
“On Wednesday, U,S, President Barack Obama extended for one year the Bush era sanctions against individuals closely linked to Mugabe. The sanctions had been scheduled to end March 6.
"While some advances have been made in Zimbabwe, particularly on economic stabilization, since the signing of the power-sharing agreement, the absence of progress on the most fundamental reforms needed to ensure rule of law and democratic governance leaves Zimbabweans vulnerable to ongoing repression and presents a continuing threat to peace and security in the region and the foreign policy of the United States," Obama said in a statement to the U.S. Congress.
"Politically motivated violence and intimidation, and the undermining of the power-sharing agreement by elements of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party, continue to be of grave concern," Obama wrote.”
SOURCE
Angus Shaw, “Zimbabwe to seize foreign businesses,” The Associated Press, Mar. 2, 2011.
CANADA'S SANCTIONS ON LIBYA: February 28, 2011
“Harper on Sunday announced a set of binding sanctions against Libya, including a freeze on assets belonging to Gadhafi, his family, his government and financial institutions. The U.S., the U.N. and the European Union have also imposed similar penalties.” (A)
“Canada has frozen more than two billion worth of assets belonging to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's regime.
Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said 2.3 billion Canadian dollars ($2.4 billion) worth of assets were frozen. Soudas did not provide further details.
Canada is also sending a warship to the Libyan coast, adding to the international military buildup in the region.” (B)
SOURCES
“Obama thanks Canada for sanctions against Libya,” The Associated Press, Feb. 28, 2011 (A).
“Canada freezes Gadhafi regime's assets,” The Associated Press, Mar. 1, 2011 (B).
