Brussels, 12/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 12 March, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé stated at the United Nations Security Council, that the Syrian authorities would be held accountable for their actions in the international courts. He suggested that preparations should be begun for initiating proceedings at the International Criminal Court and stressed that “the crimes of the Syrian regime will not go unpunished. The day will come when the civilian and military authorities of that country will be held to account in court for their deeds”. He also pointed out that “the UN committee of investigation confirms that a crime against humanity is currently taking place”. He called on China and Russia to change their position. His British counterpart, William Hague, called on the Security Council to demonstrate unity and leadership by swiftly adopting a resolution demanding an end to the violence in Syria and supporting the Arab League's plan for a settlement. He explained that, on the sidelines of the Council, “intensive meetings” on a resolution were continuing between the United Kingdom, the US, Germany and Portugal.
The Russian minister, Sergei Lavrov, affirmed that the Security Council was being manipulated over the Syrian crisis, just as it had been over Libya. He argued that “unilateral sanctions, attempts to promote regime change in Syria and encouragement to the armed Syrian opposition, constitute the dangerous recipe of geopolitical interference, which can do nothing other than prolong the conflict in Syria”.
No solution on the cheap
On Saturday, Juppé said that he would not accept a Security Council resolution that put the regime and its opponents in the same basket. He stated that “the possibility of an agreement is currently blocked. We will not accept that no distinction is made between the regime and those opposing it. It is up to the regime to take the initiative and put a stop to the reprisals and make the violence cease”. The minister added that, “it is scandalous that the citizens who are trying to defend themselves are put on the same level as the regime”. Russia, however, announced on Friday that it was opposed to a new draft resolution on Syria focusing on humanitarian assistance, which it considers imbalanced particularly because it is not calling for a ceasefire from the rebel or government forces. Juppé said: “I think that once the elections are finished in Russia, a little more consensus may prove possible, but for the time being, let's not hold our breath”.
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said that Russia and China should be asked to think about their responsibility and recognise that it is not possible to remain leaders of a country when these selfsame people are massacring their own people. On Monday, during the plenary session of the European Parliament, its president, Martin Schulz, called on the countries that had the right of veto to cease making their action dependent upon tactical considerations. A minute's silence was held for the victims of the regime.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia said that the Russian and Chinese vetoes had given the Syrian regime carte blanche to pursue its brutality against the Syrian people, without compassion and without pity. (CG/transl.fl)