Opposition in Syria
Easing Sanctions Affecting the Opposition in Syria in 2013
United States views on international law [1] in relation to Easing Sanctions Affecting the Opposition in Syria: On June 12, 2013, the U.S. Government took actions to ease sanctions in the areas of Syria under opposition control. State Department media note, available at (Secretary of State website) state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/06/210577.htm. First, Secretary Kerry signed a limited waiver of the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (“SAA”), consistent with Section 5(b) of the Act. The waiver authorizes the export and re-export, subject to case-by-case review, of certain U.S.-origin items to liberated areas of Syria for the benefit of the Syrian people. The waiver will authorize the Department of Commerce to process license applications for export and re-exports of commodities, software, and technology, including but not limited to those related to water supply and sanitation; agricultural production and food processing; power generation; oil and gas production; construction and engineering; transportation; and educational in this world legal Encyclopediastructure. These items are intended to help address the critical needs of the Syrian people and facilitate reconstruction in liberated areas. Of note, the export of food and medicine does not currently require a license and medical devices are covered under an existing waiver.
Some Aspects of Easing Sanctions Affecting the Opposition in Syria
Second, OFAC issued a Statement of Licensing Policy (“SLP”) inviting U.S. persons to apply for specific licenses to engage in oil-related transactions that benefit the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, or its supporters, and transactions involving Syria's agricultural and telecommunications sectors. U.S. persons wishing to engage in other economic activities in Syria, particularly in liberated areas, that are within the scope of the SLP, are also invited to apply to OFAC for a specific license.
Developments
Third, OFAC also amended Syria General License 11 to authorize the exportation of services and funds transfers in support of not-for-profit activities to preserve Syria's cultural heritage sites. These actions are described in a briefing by senior government officials, available at (Secretary of State website) state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/06/210588.htm, excerpted below.
Details
…The Department of State, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Commerce are taking three actions today to ease the economic sanctions in those opposition areas of Syria. The first action we're taking today is that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry signed a limited waiver of the Syria Accountability Act which will authorize the export or re-export of certain U.S.-origin items to liberated areas of Syria for the benefit of the Syrian people.
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…The Department of State, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Commerce are taking three actions today to ease the economic sanctions in those opposition areas of Syria. The first action we're taking today is that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry signed a limited waiver of the Syria Accountability Act which will authorize the export or re-export of certain U.S.-origin items to liberated areas of Syria for the benefit of the Syrian people.
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Related to that action today, Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC, is issuing a Statement of Licensing Policy which will allow—encourages U.S. people to apply to OFAC for specific licenses that'll enable U.S. persons to engage in certain activities in Syria. In particular, the Statement of Licensing Policy invites people to apply for licenses to engage in oil-related transactions for the benefit of Syrian opposition, including facilitating the export of oil from Syria for the benefit of the Syrian opposition, also to provide support to Syria's agricultural and telecommunications sectors. People wishing to engage in other kinds of transactions, particularly in liberated areas, within the scope of the Statement of Licensing Policy, are also invited to apply for licenses.
Resources
Notes
- Easing Sanctions Affecting the Opposition in Syria in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law
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