Posted on 06/12/2019 9:15:06 PM PDT by BenLurkin
A report submitted to the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea accuses Pyongyang of violating a UN-set UN set cap on fuel imports by conducting dozens of ship-to-ship transfers at sea, which break international sanctions. The details in the report were described to CNN and others by a UN Security Council diplomat with knowledge of the findings.
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They said the allowed annual cap of 500,000 barrels of fuel imports has been exceeded by North Korea. The report, according to the diplomat, said at least eight illegal ship to ship transfers have occurred involving North Korean flagged tankers. The diplomat said there were 72 cases of violations also being tracked.
The issue of illegal ship-to-ship transfers on the high seas is not new.
It was reported by the sanctions committee panel of experts, citing 'a massive increase in illegal ship to ship transfers of petroleum products and coal." However, attempts by Washington to take action were blocked by Russia and China.
The diplomat said he believes China and Russia may be more open now, because the US moved early to brief Moscow and Beijing with more evidence and acted in a "more cooperative tone." The US is not saying it wants more sanctions on North Korea but believes it's important to stop these illegal fuel shipments so they don't happen again.
The diplomat said bans on coal and iron ore shipment are working well.
Under sanctions rules, countries are required to report monthly sales of petroleum refined products to the committee. In the past former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley accused Russia of cheating, which Moscow denied.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
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