Congress moves to sanction Russians for mercenary surge in Libya
Jack Detsch November 18, 2019
Congress is preparing bipartisan sanctions on Russian mercenaries and other suspected human rights violators in Libya, Al-Monitor has learned, as the Donald Trump administration looks to use the recent entry of Moscow-linked paramilitaries into the conflict to reinvigorate a long-dormant American strategy in the war-torn country.
Foreign relations committee member Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., are set to introduce legislation codifying Treasury Department sanctions to limit Russian proxy activity. The bill would require President Trump to slap visa bans and freeze US property for arms traffickers, those illegally exploiting Libya’s vast supplies of crude oil and human rights abusers.
Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Chris Murphy. D-Conn., are also expected to sign onto the legislation, sources familiar with the bill say. The legislation also would require the United States to work with humanitarian organizations to ensure that aid be delivered in the country. “We just wanted Congress to weigh in and give a carrot-and-stick approach,†a House aide told Al-Monitor.
Read more at: https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/11/congress-move-sanction-russia-mercenary-surge-libya.html?mc_cid=b90788eb14&mc_eid=ba816b4660
Maybe those folks are correct who always say things like this are about taking the resources of these countries, lithium for Bolivia, O and G and maybe some other things in Venezuela, oil in Syria. I've seen that as being a bit cynical.
