|
Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
Recently declassified satellite photography reveals that Iraq continues to smuggle oil in violation of UN sanctions. This comes at a time when the Government of Iraq has refused to participate in an extension of the oil-for-food program. While Iraq's refusal to sell oil during this period has not caused an immediate disruption to the humanitarian program, its refusal to fund UN-approved purchases while filling the regime's coffers with illicit revenue in defiance of the United Nations shows the regime's arrogance and indifference. It demonstrates yet again that Saddam Hussein puts the interests of his regime ahead of those of the people of Iraq. Satellite photography taken on November 26 of this year shows oil tankers loading gasoil at a facility associated with the Basrah refinery in southern Iraq. Under UN Security Council Resolutions and the oil-for-food program, Iraq is permitted to export oil only through the approved facilities in Mina al Baqr in the northern Persian Gulf and via the oil pipeline through Turkey through the port of Ceyhan. The gasoil being loaded onto tankers in this photograph is being smuggled illicitly, outside the oil-for-food program, to supply revenue that is totally under the regime's control. These illicit oil exports via the Persian Gulf averaged about 70,000 barrels per day in November, the highest levels since sanctions have been in place. During the last month, Baghdad earned an estimated $21 million from this trade. At the same time, the regime of Saddam Hussein has rejected a two-week and a one-week extension of the oil-for-food program. Once again, the evidence shows that Saddam Hussein has no compunction about preventing the international community from helping the people of Iraq, while at the same time ensuring that he has enough money to line his family's pockets, to build palaces and vacation villages for regime supporters, and to buy prohibited goods, including inputs into WMD. [end of document]
|
