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Russia Vetoes Flawed Japan Resolution on Syria


By Stephen Lendman
stephenlendman.org
11-18-17

 
For the second day, Russia vetoed an unacceptable SC resolution on extending the OPCW/UN Joint Investigation Mechanism (JIM) for another 30 days - the Japan-drafted resolution little different from the flawed first one, the country acting as a US surrogate.

Russian UN envoy Vasily Nebezya said Moscow won’t support a resolution on this issue unless serious flaws are fixed - blasting the OPCW/JIM’s pseudo-investigation into what happened in April at Khan Sheikhoun, calling it shameful.

Moscow accused the JIM of making unfounded accusations against Damascus, based on phony evidence supplied by anti-government, al-Qaeda-linked White Helmets.

Washington vetoed Russia’s resolution correcting  unacceptable flaws in the resolutions it opposed. Nebenzya said it remains on the table even without enough SC support for passage.

Russia participated responsibly in all discussions on this issue. Claims otherwise by Washington and its rogue allies were vilifying disinformation.

Head of Russia’s Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Department Mikhail Ulyanov explained that “at a joint briefing in the Russian Foreign Ministry on November 2, our military colleagues presented evidence saying that a Syrian aircraft did not strike Khan Sheikhoun. It was technically impossible.”

“It could not happen. Otherwise it would be contrary to physical laws, ballistics. (N)o one even tried to challenge our conclusions. They simply hush them up while blaming Damascus.”

Russian lower house State Duma International Affairs Committee chairman Leonid Slutsky blasted US-led Western criticism of Russia’s Thursday SC action, saying:

“The criticism of the Western states regarding Russia’s vetos at the UN Security Council on the US-drafted resolution on the prolongation of UN-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism’s mandate to investigate chemical attacks (in Syria) is absolutely unjustified.”

“The West is once again trying to (ram) an (unacceptable) resolution through the Security Council, while Russia’s proposals on the issue are being rejected.”

US-led actions are part of longstanding vilification of Russia, part of a campaign to marginalize, contain, weaken and isolate the country, risking direct confrontation.

Talks continue on extending the JIM, according to SC president Sebastiano Cardi. Efforts to reach a common position are futile as long as Washington wants the JIM used for political purposes, not a legitimate investigation.

On Friday, Sergey Lavrov said he’ll meet with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts on Syria in Sochi on November 22.

“It is clear that as the victory over ISIL and other terrorists in Syria is on the horizon, an extra opportunity is created to step up political talks in line with the parameters enshrined in the UN Security Council Resolution 2254,” Lavrov explained, adding:

“These talks are held under the UN auspices, but over the past months we haven’t seen great activity (from) our UN colleagues.”

“I think that the trilateral meeting will help encourage progress towards direct talks between the government and all opposition groups on the political system in Syria after the conflict ends.”

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My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

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