Syrian Coalition: The Russian Position Is Inconsistent With Geneva I Terms

Louay Safi, spokesman for the Syrian Coalition, said that Russia’s blocking of a UN Security Council resolution under Chapter VII that condemns Assad for stalling breaking the siege on Syrian cities is contradictory and irresponsible.” Safi’s remarks followed a statement by Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin’s, who said that “we are opposed to any move to pass any resolution at the Security Council now. The time is not appropriate to discuss any such resolution.” Safi said that “the Russian position is incomprehensible and contradictory with the terms of Geneva I, which were agreed upon by the Russian government. We are waiting for the Russians to take a clear and decisive stand that supports confidence-building between the negotiating parties in order to ensure the success of a political solution, which the Syrian Coalition has been seeking since it was formed.” Furthermore, Safi holds the international community responsible for Assad’s crimes against humanity and breach of international law. “The international community must take a firm stand against the regime’s violation of human rights, who seek to subdue the popular revolution by the blockade and the use of food and baby milk as political cards to put pressure on civilians,” he said. Safi also slams the silence of the international community towards Assad’s use of barrel bombs against civilians. Moreover, Safi pointed out that Assad’s stalling of the handover of chemical weapons exposes lack of respect to the international and his talk about engaging in peace talks. Furthermore, the Syrian Coalition said that “the Assad regime has proven, once again, it is unwilling to meet its international obligations. The regime has brazenly missed a series of deadlines for the removal of its most toxic chemical agents, which it was forced to eliminate after carrying out the worst chemical weapons attack in decades in Ghouta on August 21, 2013. Only 4% of the chemicals have been removed thus far. The Syrian Coalition also stresses that “the international community should realize that the Assad regime is not a credible partner, and that Assad will continue to drag his feet over the chemical weapons destruction program causing more delay in a last-ditch pathetic attempt to gain more international legitimacy and recognition. The Syrian Coalition urges the UN Security Council to impose measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter as it would send a strong message to the Assad regime that the international community is willing to carry out the harshest measures if the chemical weapons are not eliminated by the deadline.”  (Source: Syrian Coalition)