Moscow. July 20. INTERFAX.RU – ExxonMobil notes that when entering into agreements with “Rosneft” in 2014, acted on clear instructions of the White House and the U.S. Department of Treasury, and considers that the penalty, OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control, the office for foreign assets control of the U.S. Treasury) for these agreements are unfounded, reported “Interfax” in the press service of the Russian representative office of American company.
ExxonMobil emphasizes that the data entered into agreements with Rosneft President , not personally by Igor Sechin.
“ExxonMobil should clear the White House and the Ministry of Finance, when its representatives signed the documents in relation to the current activities of the company to develop oil and gas fields in Russia jointly with Rosneft, not included in the number of prohibited persons which the documents were signed on behalf of Rosneft President Igor Sechin, acting as her official representative,” he said.
“These instructions were confirmed on may 16, 2014 the official representative of the U.S. Treasury Department, which cited the fact that the chief Executive officer of BP, who is an American citizen, you are allowed to participate in the meetings of the Board of Directors of “Rosneft” with participation of Igor Sechin, as such work is related to the activity of the company “Rosneft” and not with personal activities Sechin,” – said in Exxon.
“All legal documents referenced by OFAC, are solely related to activities of the company “Rosneft”, – he added.
“Based on the published today report on the compliance, OFAC is attempting to retroactively enforce a new interpretation of the orders of the government, which is contrary to the clear and unambiguous guidance from the White House and the U.S. Department of Treasury, published prior to the events in question and remains freely available. Action by the office for foreign assets control of the U.S. Treasury fundamentally illegal,” – said the representative office.
OFAC has fined ExxonMobil $2 million for violating the sanctions regime. According to the Department, in the period from 14 to 23 may 2014, the company signed eight documents with Sechin are in the black list OFAC.
