OFAC made 2 changes related to its Syrian program yesterday. First, it issued Statements of Licensing Policy on Activities Related to the Telecommunications and Agricultural Sectors of Syria and Petroleum and Petroleum Products of Syrian Origin for the Benefit of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces or its Supporters:
These Statements of Licensing Policy establish a favorable licensing policy regime through which U.S. persons can request from OFAC specific authorization to engage in transactions involving the telecommunications and agricultural sectors of Syria, as well as transactions related to petroleum or petroleum products of Syrian origin for the benefit of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces or its supporters.
The licensing also specifically says that the new “favorable licensing policy” does not extend to those on the SDN List or the Government of Syria. The purpose of these changes are to support better access to the Internet for the Syrian people (telecommunications), food security for the Syrian people (agricultural transactions) and, as you might surmise, fuel for the opposition forces (although not explicitly stated here).
Second, OFAC issued a new General License for Syria, which authorizes “additional services in support of nongovernmental organizations' activities to support the preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites in Syria. Syria General License 11A replaces and supersedes Syria General License 11, dated September 26, 2011.”
Specifically, it authorizes US financial institutions to conclude transactions with NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and NGOs with the Government of Syria, that support the following activities:
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(1) Activities to support humanitarian projects to meet basic human needs inSyria, including, but not limited to, drought relief, assistance to refugees,internally displaced persons, and conflict victims, food and medicinedistribution, and the provision of health services;
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(2) Activities to support democracy building in Syria, including, but not limitedto, mle of la-w, citizen participation, government accountability, and civilsociety development projects;
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(3) Activities to support education in Syria, including, but not limited to,combating illiteracy, increasing access to education, and assisting educationreform projects;
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(4) Activities to support non-commercial development projects directly benefiting the Syrian people, including, but not limited to, preventing infectious disease and promoting maternal/child health, sustainable agriculture, and clean water assistance; and
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(5) Activities to support the preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites in Syria, including, but not limited to, museums, historic buildings, and archaeological sites.
Links:
Licensing Policy Statement
General License 11A