Russia accused at UN of ‘barbarism’ and ‘war crimes’ in Syria

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Russia accused at UN of ‘barbarism’ and ‘war crimes’ in Syria

by Alasdair Sandford

 

 

NEW YORK: -- There was a bitter war of words on Sunday at a specially-convened meeting of the UN Security Council over Syria – as diplomatic efforts to broker peace give way to recriminations.

 

The US singled out Russia, accusing it of “barbarism” as warplanes pounded rebel-held areas of Aleppo – and of consistently lying over its support for the Assad regime.

 

Russia, it was suggested several times during the session, may have committed war crimes – especially over last week’s bombing of an aid convoy near Aleppo.

 

Moscow’s ambassador blamed the US for failing to rein in rebel groups and said ending the civil war was almost “impossible”.

 

The meeting, which had been called by the US, Britain and France in the wake of the collapse of the latest ceasefire, was particularly heated.

 

In particular the West stepped up its accusations, and the tone of its language, against Russia – as any pretence of finding a diplomatic deal with Moscow went by the wayside.

 

The most direct charges came from the United States. Washington’s ambassador to the UN accused Moscow of bombing civilian targets and humanitarian convoys.

 

Samantha Power said instead of pursuing peace, Russia – along with President al-Assad’s government – was making war. She added that Moscow was “abusing its historic privilege” of holding a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

 

“In Syria, we know that Russia has consistently said one thing and done its opposite,” she told the session. “We know that there can be no peace in Syria if Russia is determined to keep fighting this war.”

 

It was time to say who was carrying out air strikes and killing civilians, she went on, accusing Moscow of lying. “When Russia is espousing fiction we have to call that out. What Russia is sponsoring and doing is not counter-terrorism, it is barbarism.”

 

Russia denies attacking the aid convoy last week, blaming rebels or a US drone.

 

Moscow’s ambassador to the UN said rebel groups were responsible for the collapse of this month’s ceasefire, insisting that Russia would no longer be making concessions to them.

 

“In Syria hundreds of armed groups are being armed, the territory of the country is being bombed indiscriminately and bringing a peace is almost an impossible task now because of this,” Vitaly Churkin told the council.

 

“More than 200,000 people in Aleppo have become prisoners of the terrorist groups, Jabhat al-Nusra and others. They’re trying to use women and children as human shields. Air strikes are used only against the militants’ positions and with laser guided bombs,” he said, praising Damascus for using “admirable restraint”, and that Syrian government forces only fired on eastern Aleppo when they were fired upon.

 

Churkin’s version of events did not tally with that of several other representatives.

 

The UN special envoy. Staffan de Mistura told the council reports that “bunker-busting bombs” had been used on civilians in Aleppo showed the conflict had reached “new heights of horror”. More than 200 people, including many women and children, had been killed since the offensive began, he said.

 

Britain’s ambassador accused Damascus of a “sick blood-lust against its people”, and also held Moscow responsible for the plight of civilians.

 

“They are now facing an unprecedented, unrelenting onslaught of cruelty, and it is increasingly clear that it is an onslaught beyond the capabilities of the Syrian Air Force alone. In short, it is difficult to deny that Russia is partnering with the Syrian regime to carry out war crimes,” Matthew Rycroft told the Security Council.

 

Earlier in the day British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Russia was guilty of prolonging the war in Syria and may have committed a war crime by targeting the aid convoy.

 

As Syria’s UN ambassador began addressing the council, the US, French and British representatives walked out, according to diplomats.

 

The particularly heated meeting of the Security Council saw repeated accusations against Russia, and for some the change in tone marks a new phase, throwing out any remaining hopes that Moscow and Washington can reach a peace deal for Syria.

 

with AP, Reuters

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-09-26

 

 

[craigt3365]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-k-johnson-says-russia-085758462.html?.tsrc=daily_mail
 

Quote

 

U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Russia may have committed war crimes in Syria, citing a recent attack on a civilian aid convoy.

......

“A war crime is defined as when you attack a civilian target in the knowledge that it is a civilian target,” he said. In support of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s regime is not only as it were handing Assad the revolver, he is also in some instances actually firing the revolver,” Johnson said.

 

 

[craigt3365]

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/04/syria-war

 

Quote

 

Syria's war: A showroom for Russian arms sales

Moscow's arms exports hit a record $14.5bn in 2015 with orders surging to $56bn, according to President Putin.

 

 

I guess when your economy isn't good, you look at other ways to bring in cash.  Sad way to do it.

[Grouse]

Europe's refugee crisis is the direct consequence

 

There is no pressing economic argument as far as the USA is concerned

 

Give Russia hegemony over Ukraine in exchange for leaving Syria.....

[craigt3365]

8 minutes ago, Grouse said:

Europe's refugee crisis is the direct consequence

 

There is no pressing economic argument as far as the USA is concerned

 

Give Russia hegemony over Ukraine in exchange for leaving Syria.....

How about stand up to Putin and tell him to go home.  Leave these countries along.  Like Georgia, Moldova, Chechnya, Ukraine, and now Syria.

[Doc46]

Well ,at least they are doing something ,,,,not like the rest of the world,,,,They are all Pissweak,,,,

[craigt3365]

Just now, Doc46 said:

Well ,at least they are doing something ,,,,not like the rest of the world,,,,They are all Pissweak,,,,

So you say you are supporting them killing innocent civilians?  I sure hope not.

[Searat7]

I believe the US allegations against Russia are true. Russia consistently lies about everything anyway- just like when they shot down the Malaysian passenger jet over Ukraine. Assad and Putin should have to face a War Crimes Tribunal eventually but I'm not holding my breath. Recent actions will just trigger more migration.

[chilli42]

4 hours ago, Searat7 said:

I believe the US allegations against Russia are true. Russia consistently lies about everything anyway- just like when they shot down the Malaysian passenger jet over Ukraine. Assad and Putin should have to face a War Crimes Tribunal eventually but I'm not holding my breath. Recent actions will just trigger more migration.

 

I would tend to agree that the US claims are true.  Though I find it vulgar in the extreme to have the US pointing the finger at any other country when it comes spreading death and mischief in the ME.  As for war crimes, Bush and Cheney were never brought up on charges of war crimes so it's equally unlikely the Russians will.

[Xircal]

Russia's main goal in supporting Al-Assad is to retain its Russian naval base in the port of Tartus. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union Russia has been losing influence in the world and naval power is difficult to project if the only ports you have left are those in the land locked Caspian Sea.

 

Tartus allows naval ships to replenish supplies and maintain a presence in the Mediterranean. It's not going to give that up without a fight. 

 

Having facilities available in Tartus also limits Turkey's influence in the region. Russia has now deployed its latest S400 surface to air missile system in the Hmeimim Air Base not far from the port and has threatened to shoot down any Turkish aircraft attempting to threaten Al-Assad. 

 

Since the Russians aren't renowned for subtlety and probably don't give a damn about what Western powers think these massacres are likely to continue unabated unfortunately.

 

As for the refugees it's about time the predominantly Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait and the UAE do their bit to absorb the hundreds of thousands of their fellow muslims made homeless in the region.

[Xircal]

6 hours ago, Doc46 said:

Well ,at least they are doing something ,,,,not like the rest of the world,,,,They are all Pissweak,,,,

 

How can killing innocent civilians be construed as "doing something" ?

[simple1]

*Deleted post edited out*

 

It has repeatedly been reported that the Assad regime war machine has killed far more civilians that the Islamists in Syria. Additionally the Assad regime has tortured and murdered thousands of civilians, including the young, in it's prisons.  No idea if the reports also incorporate the murders and rapes carried out during Assad militias 'cleansing' operations who operate alongside Assad's military.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Scott