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Russia Falsely
Accused of Violating |
| By
Stephen Lendman |
| Russia and China never should have permitted multiple rounds of hostile
Security Council sanctions on North Korea in the first place. Both countries know they don’t work, just the opposite, encouraging Pyongyang to develop its nuclear and ballistic missile deterrent capabilities against feared US aggression. Sanctions harmed ordinary North Koreans grievously. Russia and China share blame for supporting Washington’s hostile agenda - short of war they strongly oppose. On Friday, Reuters claimed “Russian tankers have supplied fuel to North Korea on at least three occasions in recent months by transferring cargoes at sea…” It cited two unnamed senior Western European security sources, their countries supporting Washington’s hostile agenda, its imperial wars, its rage against North Korea and Russophobia. Accusations without evidence are baseless. Reuters published what it should have rejected, quoting the disreputable anonymous sources, claiming: “The Russian vessels made transfers at sea to the North Koreans” on several occasions. One of the sources said “(t)here is no evidence that this is backed by the Russian state but these Russian vessels are giving a lifeline to the North Koreans.” In response to the accusations, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said its government “fully and strictly observes the sanctions regime,” adding they cap oil exports to the DPRK. They doesn’t exclude them entirely. China denied similar accusations made against its government, calling “hyped-up media reports…untrue.” Sources Reuters cited claimed naval intelligence and satellite imagery of ships operating out of far eastern Russian ports, a Reuters source saying they’re shipping Russian oil from these locations to North Korea. The owner of one ship denied oil smuggling activities. Reuters admitted it’s “unable to independently verify that the vessels had transferred fuel to North Korean vessels, whether the Russian state knew about the sales or how many Russian vessels were involved in the transfers. It was also unclear how much fuel may have been smuggled.” Then why did it publish an unverified report. The famed 19th century-founded City News Bureau of Chicago operated until closing in February 1999. Noted journalists began their careers there. Its alumni included Seymour Hersh, Mike Royko, Roger Simon, FDR’s son-in-law Clarence Boettiger, and playwright Charles MacArthur, among many other notables. It broke the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day Massacre story. The film Call Northside 777 with Jimmy Stewart as a reporter was based on one of its stories. It took great care to report news and information accurately, nurturing young reporters, teaching them what good journalism is supposed to be. It’s notable watchword was: “If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out with two independent sources.” It’s a lesson Reuters and other Western media haven’t learned and don’t observe. VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html |