YouSaid · the spoken record

Safronkov

lines on the record: 808
first: 2008-04-30
most recent: 2020-03-12
sittings or episodes: 103
sources: un-security-council

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“For example, something should be said about demining, which is part of a humanitarian action plan, and generally about the efforts being made to normalize the situation in the country. Also worth mentioning is the 2016 report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Syria, which very clearly sets forth the country's needs in terms of making progress in its reconstruction and describes how the United Nations can help and is helping. Russia is one of the leading donors to UNDP projects in Syria. The approaches to the humanitarian situation in Syria display a very serious methodological flaw. In order to eliminate this flaw, one has to accept that the issue of humanitarian assistance to Syria cannot be reduced to the issue of blockages and hard-to-reach regions.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source
“At the same time, we condemn the renewed mortar shelling ofthe Russian embassy in Damascus on 22 May, which was undertaken from the terrorist-controlled J obar region. It is unfortunate that our Western partners had nothing to say about this today. We would kindly like to ask our partners to work with the people they sponsor to make sure that they stop targeting Russian diplomats. We have not failed to notice the fact that the humanitarian nature of the reports is being diluted. Instead of an objective analysis of the humanitarian situation, we are seeing calls for transferring the Syria matter to the International Criminal Court and the need for a discussion of the problem of assisting a very questionable investigator mechanism. The reports should paint a broader picture of the work that helps to bring a peaceful life back.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We are grateful to Mr. O'Brien for his briefing. We highly value the work being done conscientiously by humanitarian workers in fulfilment of their mandate. As a result of the memorandum of understanding concluded in Astana on 4 May on the de-escalation zones, the intensity of the armed clashes in Syria has significantly diminished. This is a fact that has been acknowledged by many within Syria and outside. To assert the contrary is to intentionally undermine the achievements of the Astana process, which is bearing tangible results and is providing impetus in the political negotiations in Geneva. We intend to pursue the Astana process, and we are grateful to the leadership of Kazakhstan for the political and organizational assistance it has offered.”
2017-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7955 (2017) · source
“The key to achieving post-conflict normalization in Iraq is promoting a national dialogue and creating the conditions that can bring every religious and ethnic group into that dialogue with the goal of restoring a peaceful existence in Iraq for people of all faiths. We believe that the assistance of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq in establishing that dialogue through support for national reconciliation initiatives launched by the various Iraqi political forces and their transformation into a single comprehensive settlement plan for Iraq should remain a priority for the Mission. We commend the spirit and conscience of its staff as they continue to work in conditions that are seriously threatened by terrorism and the ongoing war with ISIL.”
2017-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7945 (2017) · source
“Civilians are being used as human shields and terrorists are using chemical weapons increasingly often. We insist that such crimes must be objectively investigated, including by harnessing the potential of a joint investigative mechanism in order to help the Iraqi Government put an end to this threat. At the same time, however, we realize that stability cannot be restored in Iraq by force alone. Along with providing humanitarian assistance, it is vital that the country's entire administrative, economic, housing and socioeconomic infrastructure be rebuilt. Prime Minister Al Abadi's Government is already accomplishing a great deal in that area, but international assistance is still needed here too.”
2017-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7945 (2017) · source
“In that regard, international counter-terrorism operations should be thoroughly coordinated with the aim of presenting a broad front in the fight against terrorism. The Russian Federation is ready to cooperate with efforts in that regard. We welcome Baghdad's use of bilateral communication channels with its regional partners and its positive efforts to maintain good relations with neighbouring States. It is essential to ensure that those involved in combating terrorism in Iraq respect its sovereignty and coordinate their actions with the authorities in Baghdad. Despite the Iraqis' limited successes in combating terrorism, the situation remains tense and the Government of Iraq needs more attention and assistance from the international community. Terrorists are still present in a number ofcities and governorates.”
2017-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7945 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We listened carefully to Special Representative Kubis' briefing. We welcome the active and dynamic efforts made by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Russia is tied to Iraq historically. Because of our friendship, we support with political and practical steps those of the Iraqi Government being taken to regain control over territory taken by terrorists, ensuring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. We would like to see the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) eradicated as soon as possible. In view of the close relationship between Iraqi and Syrian terrorists, the possibility ofa complete victory over ISIL in Iraq, independent of its destruction in Syria, hardly seems likely.”
2017-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7945 (2017) · source
“We are committed to transferring full responsibility for the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Bosnians themselves. All changes must come about as a result of a conscious choice by the Bosnian side and be carried out strictly in line with the consensus provided for in the Dayton agreement. We are interested in the development of a mutually beneficial cooperation in Bosnia and its entities and ensuring that there is true equality for all three constituent entities in the country.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“In the current conditions, we see no added value in the remaining elements of the international presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We support the closing of the Office of the High Representative drawing down his the Bonn powers as quickly as possible, because they have outlived their usefulness, as have the protectorate methods. They do not help national reconciliation but impede the harmonious development of the country as a whole. Russia, as one of the guarantors of the Dayton Peace Agreement will continue firmly promoting the stabilization process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, abiding very strictly by the Dayton Agreement. It is unacceptable to try to review its principles, which are enshrined in Security Council resolutions.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“Once again, we see a biased attitude towards Serbs, as well as unacceptable comparisons and historic parallels, for which the High Representative will have to apologize later. Mr. Inzko spent more than a decade in the region, so he should not make those kinds of allegations. It is not entirely clear from the report how exactly the High Representative is helping in the implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina of the 5+2 agenda, on the drawdown of the Office of the High Representative. There has been no progress in that respect; the spectrum of preconditions and criteria is so wide that we cannot count in its implementation happening anytime soon. Instead, Mr. Inzko is very fond of promoting the Euro-Atlantic agenda. This is not his mandate. He is a representative of the entire international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“Given the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we see no danger to regional stability. However, the evolution of some processes following a negative scenario with the involvement of external forces, including extremist andterrorist forces, could make the situation into a source of concern. Unfortunately, the High Representative has paid minimal attention to the important topic of the spread of extremist religious teachings in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But this is something that exists, and the international community must monitor the situation very closely. The quality and depth of the analysis contained in the High Representative's report leaves a lot to be desired.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“The key to contemporary political issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in the fact that the level of inter-ethnic trust is low, a trend to which we need to pay special attention, as does the High Representative, because he represents the entire international community, not just a part of it. We need to stop appointing guilty parties. Once again we need to work on promoting dialogue. We must stop telling untruthful stories about separatist tendencies in Banja Luka and inventing negative trends with respect to Republika Srpska. The President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, in his most recent report to the Secretary-General, countered all such accusations. It would be useful to cite excerpts from this official document in the report of the High Representative.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“In addition to the provocative attempt to review the decision of the International Court of Justice, it is also dangerous that a number of leaders are not ready to agree on key issues relating to equality for the representatives of all ethnicities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Chronic issues are facing Mostar, where elections have not been held since 2008, and the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights ruling on Seja'ic' and Finci. In addition, the issue of introducing changes to the electoral law relating to legislative elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina is problematic. We are convinced, and let me underscore this point once again, that the electoral law must reflect the interests of all three constituent entities of the country, which is the basic philosophy of Dayton.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“The conclusions reached about the concerns of the Bosniaks who live in Republika Srpska, including refugees, are simply made up and have nothing to do with reality. The situation in Republika Srpska can be characterized as stable and sustainable, including in Srebrenica, to which special attention is being paid by the international community. There is no justification, therefore, for the one-sided sanctions introduced last year by the former United States Administration against Republika Srpska. This decision needs to be rescinded. Unfortunately, we cannot speak of stability and sustainability in connection with Bosnian institutions and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“This one-sided, politicized decision compelled the Bosnian Serb authorities to resort to the highest form of democracy: the free expression of the will of citizens. The recommendational nature of the results of the referendum was underscored in the recent Republic Srpska report to the Secretary-General. As a result, the decision was made to introduce changes into the law on Republika Srpska's main holiday. This decision was not questioned. We did not agree with the statement that celebrating Republika Srpska Day had caused the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina or the Republika Srpska to deteriorate. This is not borne out by the facts, and there have been no negative consequences.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“Let us not forget that this principle forms the letter and the spirit of the Dayton Agreement. It is the basis and the foundation ofnational reconciliation, as well as a gauge and a guarantee of stability and security in the country and in the region as a whole. In the meantime, the Dayton Agreement and its key basic principles are being attacked; this did not begin just recently. Let us recall the situation that prevailed in the summer of 2016, when the results of the census were announced and the well-founded objections of Bosnian Serbs were ignored. Let us also recall the trials and tribulations surrounding the ruling of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that it was unlawful to celebrate Republika Srpska Day on 9 January.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“In the course of recent months, the internal political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina deteriorated and culminated in a very deep constitutional crisis at the end of February. That resulted from the attempts of politicians in Sarajevo to carry out a review of the 2007 verdict of the International Court of Justice in the case Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia ana1 Montenegro. We would like to underscore that these steps bypassed the Presidency as well as other pan-Bosnian structures, thereby undermining their efficiency and authority. This represents a very alarming trend in the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is weakening the trend of having a mutually respectful dialogue, compromise and consensus among all constituent entities on all theimportant issues.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We listened very carefully to the briefing by the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Valentin Inzko. We also thoroughly reviewed his report (S/2017/379, annex) and must say once again, as was the case on other occasions, that the document does not provide an objective narrative of the country. It is a one-sided account with politicized assessments. We call upon Mr. Inzko to change his credo and to stop blaming the Bosnian Serbs - and recently Croats - for all the difficulties. Instead, he must focus on moving towards dialogue based on mutual respect that takes into account the needs and concerns of all.”
2017-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7943 (2017) · source
“Even so, it is playing a key role in Kosovo affairs and remains an irreplaceable international monitoring tool designed to help normalize the situation in Kosovo, pursuant to resolution 1244 (1999), which remains fully valid. In the light of the foregoing, we see no reason to review the practice of having quarterly Security Council briefings on the situation in Kosovo, which, as we have seen during the discussions today, continues to require very close international attention and monitoring.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“We are concerned by the fact that the province is being used to recruit foreign terrorist fighters who fight alongside extremists in the Middle East and to prepare terrorist acts elsewhere in the world. Under these circumstances, we think it untimely and counterproductive to plan to reduce the UNMIK staff and the budget parameters. The situation in the province means that decisions such as these are inappropriate, especially in the absence of real dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Therefore, we need to set aside any request to downsize the Mission or even to close it all together. Instead, we need to undertake constructive work and interaction with that important United Nations operation. I would like to remind the Council that UNMIK is working despite having minimal resources at its disposal.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“We continue to witness ongoing physical attacks on Serbs. We see their property burned down. We see refugees and internally displaced people thwarted in their attempts to return home, not to mention the desecration of property belonging to the Serbian Orthodox Church, in particular the land of the Visoki Decani Orthodox Monastery, despite the fact that its rights had been upheld by the Constitutional Court in Kosovo. The cathedral church of Christ the Saviour in Pristina is in a deplorable state. The Serbian Orthodox Church has been unable to gain access to its religious objects there, which is necessary for their restoration after attacks by vandals. The need to combat the spread of radicalism and terrorism in Kosovo is increasingly pressing.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“Moreover, the freedom of movement agreed by Belgrade and Pristina was undermined by the actions of Kosovo law-enforcement bodies in preventing supporters of Mr. Vucie's Serbian Progressive Party from attending an electoral rally in the municipality of Leposavie, thereby violating principles that seemed inviolable in Europe, such as the freedom of speech, movement, peaceful assembly and participation in elections. Similarly, there was an incident on 9 May when the head of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Mr. Djurie, was barred without explanation from going to a Victory Day meeting in Gracanica. Pristina's acts aimed at appropriating Serbian State property are unacceptable. Equally unacceptable is the Kosovo Government's decision to transfer all community-owned enterprises to State ownership.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“We are aware that the former head of the Kosovo Verification Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Mr. Walker, distinguished himselfby speaking in favour of the project ofbringing together the Albanians in Albania, Kosovo and the diaspora and calling upon Albanians to take the final step towards this goal. We call on the European Union and Western capitals to undertake measures as soon as possible to stop these provocative statements, which must be replaced by expressions of a desire to live as good neighbours with mutual respect. Another example of the weakness of the provincial governmental institutions include the political crisis in Kosovo, whose outcome we can easily predict.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“This problem becomes all the more evident against the background of the ongoing deterioration we have observed in the region due to provocations made in the name of greater Albania, which is a threat to the security and territorial integrity ofa number of States. Let us try to understand the regional scope of this issue. In Kosovo, Mr. Thaci stated in an ultimatum that all Albanians will live in the same State unless the European Union fulfils his expectations for integration. A similar sentiment has being expressed by the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Rama. In Macedonia, Albanians are gathering around the infamous Tirana platform, and similar signals are being conveyed by Albanian leaders living in the south of Serbia. Against this background, let me be candid.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“We hope in the very near future to see the initial results of the Specialist Chambers in The Hague and that that body will lack the flaws of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). It is important to ensure that such actions be as transparent as possible. The European Union, through the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), which plays a key role in organizing the workings of the Specialist Chambers, must ensure an unbiased and professional approach, which the ICTY was lacking at the time. Mr. Haradinaj was acquitted twice. Moreover, dozens of witnesses in his case were threatened and attacked.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“Haradinaj, who was apprehended in January by INTERPOL at the request of Serbia. That demonstrates the double standards used in the case of the parties to the Yugoslavian conflict. Once again, we underscore that those who are guilty of carrying out war crimes, regardless of their actual status or position, must be punished. We are also not surprised by the fact that the investigation of the crimes committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army has been postponed. Allow me to recall that Mr. Marty briefed the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on the crimes he had investigated, including the trafficking of human organs, more than six years ago.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“At the same time, we are convinced that the implementation of his proposal would have been a very serious violation of international law, particularly resolution 1244 (1999) and inevitably led to further destabilization in the region and even greater conflict potential. Of course exerting relevant pressure on Pristina must continue. At the same time, the Kosovo Assembly has adopted a resolution to suspend the dialogue until such a time when France releases someone who is suspected of very serious crimes, namely, the Kosovo Liberation Army fighter Ramush Haradinaj. Moreover, his brother, who is a representative in the Assembly, has threatened ethnic cleansing and issued ultimatums. On 27 April, a French court made an illegitimate and politicized decision to release Mr.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“We consider it unacceptable and destructive to attempt to impose a self-governing system on the Serbs that would reduce their own powers to an absolute minimum. It is obvious that the genuine goal of such dead-end initiatives is to blame the Serbs for the dialogue's impasse, whereas in fact the situation is exactly the reverse. The lack of pressure from Brussels means that Kosovo's political leaders feel that they can do anything. They no longer refrain from using the language of open provocation. Very recently, Mr. Thaci threatened to resign from the post of the so-called President if his initiative to transform the Kosovo Security Force into a fully-fledged army is not implemented.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“The problem lies in the obvious lack of desire on the part of the Kosovo authorities to fulfil the obligations undertaken within the framework of the dialogue with Belgrade. This is taking place against the background of the blatant condoning of the situation by outside actors. The Brussels mediation process is biased in allowing the Kosovo-Albanians to behave in such a manner. As a result, the relationship between Belgrade and Pristina is deteriorating and trust is losing ground. The dialogue has faced an impasse for many months. There has been no major breakthrough on the main track of the negotiations - the establishment of the association/ community of Serb-majority municipalities - despite the fact that an agreement was drafted more than four years ago.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We welcome the participation in today's meeting of the Minister of Justice of Serbia, Ms. Nela Kuburovie, and share the serious concerns she has expressed with regard to the state of affairs in Kosovo. We are also grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Zahir Tanin, and his team for their work, and we thank Mr. Tanin for his objective briefing on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). It shows that there ongoing serious, profound problems in the province that require immediate solution, as well as outside monitoring. Indeed, the scope of ongoing challenges in the province is not decreasing but assuming new forms. As a result, the goal of creating a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo is further away than ever.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“Once again I would like to ask speakers not to insult and offend Russia in their statements. We have to remain within some bounds of courtesy.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“We have every reason to believe that after Khan Shaykhun other provocations by extremists using toxic substances could follow. We once again emphasize that collective efforts today should be aimed at supporting the peace process using the Astana and Geneva platforms to strengthen the ceasefire regime and jointly combat terrorism, using a single standard. One of the first steps here should be the launching of an impartial, unbiased and truly independent investigation of the tragedy in Khan Shaykhun, which necessarily includes travelling to the place of the incident. Remote investigations must no longer be used. We are looking forward to the specific decisions that will be issued on that matter on 13 April, namely, at the meeting of the Executive Council of the OPCW on that date.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“We should not forget the fact that our country was present at the inception of a unique, unprecedented process of the chemical demilitarization of Syria, which - and this has been acknowledged by authoritative international organizations - was carried out successfully. However, some capitals still have an anti-Syrian- regime slant. We are left with the very clear impression that in actual fact the authors of the draft resolution do not want to work with the people whom they have sponsored and who feel very much at ease in Idlib province. They do not want to fulfil their responsibility to make sure that international specialists have free and safe access. Once again, let me repeat, they are afraid of an impartial investigation that could show that there is a developed system for manipulating chemical weapons.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“In other words, we have ended up with a very unusual situation where both the Government officials in Damascus and the opposition together are asking for an independent investigation, while the OPCW is doing nothing, for reasons unknown. But if we are to talk professionally, then, in order to carry out an investigation by competent international authorities of what took place in Khan Shaykhun, and by that we mean first and foremost the OPCW, there is no need for a new Security Council resolution, and that is something that was being said during the past week by the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, except that he was putting a different spin on those words. It turns out that for him a resolution was necessary in order to predetermine the outcome of the investigation.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“We need to make use of that proposal by the Syrian authorities, instead of doing what we did after the chemical-weapons attacks in eastern Ghouta and Khan al-Asal, when people ended up being afraid to carry out an investigation. There were all sort of provocations there, and we almost got to the point where some permanent members of the Security Council were on the verge of armed attacks on Syrian territory. Fortunately, reason prevailed. Like the Syrian authorities, the general coordinator of the opposition's High Negotiations Committee, Mr. Hijab, sent a letter to the United Nations with a request to initiate an investigation at Khan Shaykhun and said that he stood ready to help in the investigation, which, for us, means providing safe access to the site of the alleged chemical incident.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“A visit to the Al-Shayrat air base is also necessary, because that is how we can determine whether or not the toxic substances allegedly used in the bombing of Khan Shaykhun had been previously stored at Al-Shayrat. We underscore the fact that in line with the Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2118 (2013), all parties in Syria have to provide international inspectors with free and unfettered access to the areas of alleged chemical-weapons incidents. Damascus has displayed, in its position statement on that point, openness and readiness to cooperate. On 11 April, the Syrian authorities approached the Director-General of the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW, Mr. Uziimcii, with an official request to send a mission to Khan Shaykhun and Al-Shayrat.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“We believe that that amounts to a simulacrum of taking action, which only discredits the OPCW. After what happened, we are going to have to be much more rigorous in taking a look at what the OPCW and the Fact-Finding Mission do. We are convinced that we need to have a full and immediate investigation. The possibilities for such an investigation have not been exhausted. In order to have one, however, an international team of highly qualified specialists needs to visit the area of Khan Shaykhun and the Al-Shayrat air base that was struck by missiles as soon as possible. In our view, the goal of the visit to Khan Shaykhun is to determine whether or not chemical weapons were used there and, if so, what were the circumstances and who could bear the responsibility for such use.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“The Russian document contains a clear mandate to do that and in such a way as to leave one doubt that every available resource and all means were exhausted in preparing its conclusions, and, most importantly, that there was a visit to the site at which the incident occurred. We also insist that the staffing of the mission should be decided based on a broad geographical diversity. The results of the investigation must be credible. It is of extreme concern to us that since receiving news of the alleged use of chemical weapons in Khan Shaykhun eight days ago, no concrete steps have been taken to investigate the incident through the relevant international entities. As usual, the OPCW Fact-finding Mission appears to be set up to work in remote mode, without Visiting the sites where the incidents occurred.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“In other words, we need to work on the basis of mutually taking into account each other's interests and concerns. If the goal of our Western partners in the draft resolution was to react to specific events in Khan Shaykhun, then, instead of adopting a one-sided anti-Syrian bias, it should have aimed at ensuring that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) be able to implement its mandate in conducting an impartial investigation. That is precisely the main difference between the Western and Russian draft resolutions. The troika's draft is vague about the investigation; it routinely mentions the fact that the OPCW Fact-finding Mission to the Syrian Arab Republic will, at its discretion, determine the places that it would like to Visit. Incidentally, a big question mark hovers over whether it would like to do so.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“Has it become a national sport to intentionally undermine the unity of the Security Council? The strike on the Syrian air base, which was undertaken before an international investigation was undertaken, was in violation of international law and lacked the approval of the Security Council. Voting in favour of the Western troika draft resolution would have meant legitimizing those illegal actions, which from the point of view of international law and common sense is absolutely unacceptable. If our partners believe that it is necessary to adopt a generic resolution on chemicals in Syria, then we need to sit down together at the table and seriously agree on a comprehensive document, in which we will naturally include our assessments, backed by facts, on the use of chemical weapons by terrorists.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): The Russian Federation voted against the draft resolution (S/2017/315) on the chemical weapons incident in Khan Shaykhun on 4 April. That outcome was predetermined as we have consistently expressed our categorical disagreement with the distorted nature of the document, which, as events and consultations unfolded, did not undergo the slightest change. Russian concerns and priorities were ignored and brushed aside under artificial pretences. The primary problem was the fact that the draft resolution by the troika designated the guilty party prior to an independent and objective investigation. That approach is incompatible with legal standards. Those members were aware of our concerns, but, once again, put their unilateral and consequently doomed draft resolution to the vote.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“The United States Secretary of State is considering that proposal, and we expect that Washington, DC, will offer it a constructive response, given the current situation. Given what I have just said and the fact that tomorrow, on 13 April there will be a meeting of the Executive Council of the OPCW in The Hague, where all ofthese issues will be discussed, we feel that putting the draft resolution to a vote today does not serve a useful purpose.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): I would like to inform the members of the Security Council that during the course of the negotiations that took place today in Moscow between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Lavrov, and the Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. Tillerson, we proposed to the American side that we send a joint statement to the Director-General of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Mr. Uziimcii, asking him to immediately put together an independent international mission for a Visit to Khan Shaykhun, where it is alleged that chemical agents were used, and to the Shayrat air base.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7922 (2017) · source
“But to exclude Damascus and the representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic from this process is unprofessional, unacceptable, unethical and arrogant. A political settlement is the only way to restore peace in Syria and to ease the tensions in the Middle East through Syria and a political improvement in that country. That is the path towards normalizing the situation in many countries of the Middle East. We have an opportunity to make Syria a model of cooperation towards a settlement, but destructive geopolitical projects will not contribute to that. We will not give them a free pass in the Security Council.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7921 (2017) · source
“We need to discuss problems related to migration - not regime change but mine clearance and conflict resolution. People will return to their homes by themselves; they do not need to be forced to do anything. These are the kinds of issues that need to be tackled. We need to work together on improving the social conditions in which people live. Instead, international and regional forums are convened where virtual billions are pledged without even the representatives of Syria being present. How is that related to statements made here in the Security Council that the fate of the Syrian people is in their own hands? Many of us are giving serious thought to the post-conflict future of Syria and the return of internally displaced persons and refugees. That would be the most meaningful and important response to the terrorists' acivities.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7921 (2017) · source
“We regularly inform the Council about the significant activities carried out by Russian experts to deal with this problem. We call for the formation of an international coalition to demine Syria. Blackmail to the effect that demining will begin once there is regime change is unacceptable and hypocritical. The specialized United Nations service could play an important role in that regard. Of course, the humanitarian component is very important in that respect. People need to feel safe, when they return to their homes and economic activity, that their children will not be blown up and civilians will not suffer. At the same time, mines must be cleared from the World Heritage site in Palmyra. Those are the kinds of issues we must work on.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7921 (2017) · source
“Why is food not supplied to areas that are controlled by the Government? What, are they a different kind of people? Let us be honest. We know the situation. Support is needed from capitals that at the moment are providing only empty criticism. The Astana process has a unique and special value. It is aimed at practical weays of ending the violence and, most important, it represents a form of direct support to the Geneva process that Mr. De Mistura is leading. We know that he and the overwhelming majority of States Members of the United Nations greatly value the Astana process. We would also like to draw the attention of the international community and the United Nations to the significant contamination of Syrian territory by mines, unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7921 (2017) · source
“We, together with the other guarantors, Turkey and Iran - and here I want to also warmly thank the the President of Kazakhstan for his leadership - are ready to continue working on the Astana platform. Russia has been responsible in addressing its obligations regarding the strengthening of the ceasefire. But Mr. Rycroft and his allies should also do their part in working with the opposition groups. Astana cannot serve as a panacea in a situation in which others are working to undermine it. Significant progress has been achieved in terms of local truces, which have made it possible to ease tensions and normalize people's lives from a humanitarian point of View. Many have spoken today about access to besieged areas, and that is an issue that should be resolved. But let us be fair.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7921 (2017) · source
“But he will not even agree to put out an ordinary announcement condemning the attack on the Russian Embassy in Damascus, his diplomatic colleagues. In a situation in which tensions have mounted owing to the missile strike by the United States, the importance of political efforts has only increased. Clearly, provocations such as the incident in Khan Shaykhun will only strengthen the positions of those who favour a military solution. We need to determine the facts and conduct a comprehensive investigation. I was surprised, indeed amazed, to hear that French experts have already reached the conclusion that Damascus is responsible. No one has visited the scene of the crime yet. How do they know? The fate of the country should be determined by the Syrians themselves, not by someone else. That is final.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7921 (2017) · source
“We should recall that before the March round of negotiations began, the opposition tried to advance on various fronts, including in the vicinity of Syria's capital. We hope that the relevant capitals will cool the hotheads and that such reckless acts will not be repeated. This is Mr. Rycroft's responsibility when he professes to support the Astana process. He says one thing in the Security Council but believes another, and then in fact does a third thing. I would like to ask him to do his part of the work. Here are London and Paris working with opposition groups. He and his allies should summon them and tell them to support the Astana process. They should tell them that they should not even think of firing on the Russian Embassy in Damascus.”
2017-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7921 (2017) · source