Lavrov: Russia Will Not Allow Thwarting Geneva Agreement on Syria

Aug 15, 2012

Original at:  http://208.43.232.81/eng/22/2012/08/15/436563.htm

MINSK/MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed on Wednesday that Russia will not allow anyone to thwart Geneva Agreement on Syria, calling for commitment to this agreement.

In a statement in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, Lavrov affirmed that there is no other solution to the crisis in Syria other than that which is based on respecting the principles of the UN Charter and the territorial integrity of Syria and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries.

He said that it is necessary to exert pressure on all Syrian sides and to stop encouraging the opposition to continue armed fighting.

The Russian Foreign Minister noted that Russia seeks to obtain from the Western countries an answer on the extent of their readiness to commit to what was agreed on at Geneva meeting, adding that if the answer was yes, he would question why no tangible measures have been taken by these countries towards implementing the agreement.

He pointed out that the Russian-Chinese veto against draft resolutions on Syria came to defend the principles of the UN Charter, while the American partners used the veto to thwart decisions that have been taken.

Russia: Withdrawal of UNSMIS Would Further Complicate the Situation in Syria and the Region

Russia on Wednesday stressed that it supports the continuation of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS).

A well-informed source at the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow sees that halting the presence of the UN in Syria should not be allowed given that it is considered a main source for obtaining objective information on what is taking place in the country.

The source highlighted the unbiased stance adopted by the UN observers since the beginning of their work in Syria in terms of recording the cases of violations against the peace plan by the parties in Syria.

The source also underscored the reduction in the level of violence noticed since the first weeks of the international observers' work.

The Russian Foreign Ministry clarified withdrawing the UNSMIS would further complicate the situation in Syria and the region in general to a large extent.

A source at the Press and Media Department at the Ministry said Russia calls for the UNSMIS to continue in Syria, adding that the withdrawal under the current circumstances would leave serious negative consequences on Syria and the entire region.

The source added that the presence of the UN mission could take other forms according to the reality on the ground.

Bogdanov: The Audio Recording Posted by Saudi Website Fake

The Russian President's Special Envoy to the Middle East and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stressed that the audio recording posted by the website of the Saudi al-Watan newspaper claiming to having held an interview with him two days ago is fake.

In a phone call with Russia Today TV channel, Bogdanov affirmed that he made no statements on the situation in Syria recently, denying particularly those related to the brother of President Bashar al-Assad.

"I cannot say that the brother of the Syrian President was injured in his legs as we know very well that he was not at the meeting of the crisis cell at the time of the explosion which claimed the lives of a number of Syrian military and security leaders and injured others," Bogdanov added.

He described the purported interview to be entirely fabricated from A to Z.

The Russian official reiterated his country's clear stance towards the crisis in Syria which is based on that the Syrian people alone are the decision-makers in choosing their leadership.

He added that Russia has, since the beginning of the crisis in Syria, rejected foreign interference and called for dialogue and political settlement.

Bogdanov, who is on his annual vacation, said that it is inappropriate that some resort to fabrication to make fake scoop at the expense of sensitive issues that affect peoples' destiny.

Russia Today TV indicated that anyone can listen to Bogdanov's real voice on its website.

F. Allafi/ R. Raslan / H. Said