UNITED NATIONS, April 22 (Itar-Tass) — Russia played “the decisive role in reversing the series of events in Syria from confrontation and violence to the political result.
This idea was expressed to reporters on Saturday by Russian chief delegate to the UN Vitaly Churkin after a meeting of the Security Council that unanimously adopted resolution 2043, based on the Russian draft; the resolution sets up a Mission on monitoring in Syria.
According to the Russian ambassador, Moscow “worked very assiduously so that the Security Council should take the correct road in a Syrian settlement”. “Nevertheless, we are not so na·ve to disregard the fact that there are influential forces which, apart from putting this strategy into doubt, want it to end in a flop,” Churkin said.
He had in mind statements by some countries made at the Security Council that “they have excellent plans concerning the situation in Syria”. In the ambassador’s opinion, all this is detrimental to the Kofi Annan’s plan and peaceful political evolution in Syria, will be pernicious for them and lead astray.
The Russian diplomat expressed confidence that Moscow’s stand on the Syrian question “enjoys broad international backing”. “Our strategy enjoys growing understanding in the world, despite massive efforts (taken long ago) to smear Russia’s stance on the Syrian question,” Churkin continued.
“We believe that Russia played the decisive role in reversing the series of events from confrontation and violence to the political result which is, true, not guaranteed yet.”
The Russian ambassador said that he is “very glad that Russia could lead efforts at the Security Council on drafting a quick and positive reply to the need for deploying an observer mission in Syria and in support of the Kofi Annan’s plan”.
In Churkin’s words, “for the first time since the start of the Syrian crisis, the Security Council could state its support for the positive political strategy, underpinning it with practical measures – deployment of observers in Syria”.
Churkin also regards as very important the fact that on adopting resolution 2043, the Security Council “has restored its prerogative of the main international body, responsible for maintenance of international peace and security, in the Syrian crisis”.
He expressed hope that “members of the international community and various groupings will fulfill Security Council decisions, respect its prerogatives and act in compliance with resolution 2043, adopted by us today”.
The ambassador regards it important that the resolution is addressed not only to the Syrian government, but also to the opposition, “demanding that they should refrain from violence and support observers, respecting the Annan plan and fulfilling all its provisions”.