Calls to boycott Syrian oil

Should Shell boycott Syrian oil in the wake of the Bashar al-Assad regime’s violent repression of the popular uprising? Trouw argues that it should, but “first we need an international decision.” The question has been raised by a number of political parties, which want the Anglo-Dutch oil company to assume its responsibilities and withdraw from the country as soon as possible. According to the Amsterdam daily, “oil companies should not be instrumentalised by political initiatives” and “unilateral action by Shell could be counterproductive,” because if Shell is obliged to leave the country, it will simply be replaced by one of its rivals.

The question of a boycott will also be on the agenda for the meeting of EU foreign ministers to take place in Poland on the 2nd and 3rd September. Having reminded its readers that the United States already adopted this measure in early August, Volkskrant argues that “the EU should stop dithering and follow the example set by the Americans.” However, doubts persist about the potential impact of an international initiative. Trouw notes that “although 95% of Syrian oil is exported to Europe, it is not certain that the Assad regime will be effectively undermined by a boycott.”