EU lifts Syria oil embargo to bolster rebels

Associated Press ^ | 4-22-2013 | Juergen Baetz

[haffast]

LUXEMBOURG (AP) -- The European Union on Monday lifted its oil embargo on Syria to provide more economic support to the forces fighting to oust President Bashar Assad's regime.

The decision will allow for crude exports from rebel-held territory, the import of oil and gas production technology, and investments in the Syrian oil industry, the EU said in a statement.

Any export or investment initiatives will be taken in close coordination with the leaders of the Syrian opposition, the bloc's 27 foreign ministers decided at a meeting in Luxembourg.

The move marks the first relaxing of EU sanctions on Syria in two years as governments try to help ease shortages of vital supplies in areas held by the opposition in the civil war-struck Arab state.

"We wish for good economic development in the areas controlled by the opposition, therefore we lift the sanctions that hinder the moderate opposition forces' work," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said ahead of the meeting.

The oil exports could open an important revenue stream for Syria's opposition, even though it is still unclear when and how much crude could be exported.

EU officials hinted the move was in part aimed at laying the legal groundwork to get investment and crude flowing rapidly as soon as the security situation on the ground improves.

snip

Being able to take advantage of the country's oil resources will help the Syrian uprising "big time," said Osama Kadi, a senior member of the Syrian opposition.

While the security situation remains a challenge, getting the oil flowing will be a top priority for the Syrian interim government expected to be formed by the end of the month, added Kadi, who is an economic adviser to the opposition Syrian National Coalition.

snip

[haffast]

"We are really hoping that Turkish companies will help in terms of importing and exporting the oil, because we need some refineries to get our diesel to run all our generators, to run our hospitals, and we need diesel in large amounts," he said in Istanbul.

Let's get that oil flowing to Europe. It's for the (Syrian??)people.

Business as usual.

[UCANSEE2]

"Embargo off."

[Candor7]

EU lifts Syria oil embargo to bolster rebels,>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

But the rebels are........Al Qaeda! Wow.

Dumb and Dumber.

First we arm syrian al Qaeda rebels with Libyan ordance from the Obama destroyed Gadaffi regime ( a former US ally), and then the EU gives the Syrian Al Qaeda cells oil?

One is underwhelmed. We all know where this is going : a future wave of hatred of the West from Syria and an increase in terror attacks in the West, including the USA.

Well whoopdy-doo indeed.

[TigersEye]

[Forrestfire]

Euorpean suicide!!!

[Candor7]

Fantastic Poster. I immediately borrowed it.

[TigersEye]

I stole it my own self. :-)

[Candor7]

Its very useful.

[haffast]

Euorpean suicide!!!

Europe committed suicide when it used cheap Muslim immigrant labor to rebuild after WWII. Death by "jihad by birthrate".

The US may be doing the same thing choosing to use cheap immigrant Latinos and Muslims in the search for profit. Profits for a few, destruction for us all.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks haffast.

Being able to take advantage of the country's oil resources will help the Syrian uprising "big time," said Osama Kadi, a senior member of the Syrian opposition. While the security situation remains a challenge, getting the oil flowing will be a top priority for the Syrian interim government expected to be formed by the end of the month, added Kadi, who is an economic adviser to the opposition Syrian National Coalition.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

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