The UN-Arab League special ambassador Kofi Annan had a high level meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday about Syria. Annan is currently on an official tour to Russia and China to ramp up support for restoration of peace in Syria. While extending his full support, the Russian President acknowledged that Kofi Annan could be President Bashar-Al-Assad’s last chance to avoid a violent civil war and restore peace in the country. Kofi Annan would round off the tour with China.
To end the relentless fighting since the beginning of Syria uprising last year, Annan is trying to build consensus for immediate cease fire and unfettered entry for humanitarian aid in Syria. While President Barak Obama of the United States and Turkish PM are chewing over sending medical and communications equipments, termed as non-lethal aid, to anti-government activists in Syria, it is not yet determined the nature of Moscow’s participation in Annan’s peace mission.
Despite the latest diplomatic efforts, cities of Homs and Idlib are continued to be bombarded by Syrian forces, as claimed by Syrian opposition. Unconfirmed sources have claimed 30 deaths from all across Syria on Sunday, particularly from Homs and Idlib. While some towns like Hirak and Daraa are facing acute food shortage, others are believed to be pounded by military aircraft.
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Iran is demanded unfettered access for nuclear inspection
The five permanent members of the UNSC (United Nations Security Council) including the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia along with Germany have called on Iran on Thursday to allow unrestricted access to all its nuclear sites, especially at Parchin. The latest development took place a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Yukiya Amano, expressed doubts about Iran’s intention for full nuke inspection. The international nuclear experts suspect that the military base at Parchin contains a testing chamber for atomic weapons.
The latest joint statement made by the six nations is aimed at bringing Iran to the negotiation table over its nuclear program. It is also meant to send out the signal that Iran has lost the support of two of its key allies, Russia and China, after the way it has carried on with producing uranium enrichment in spite of repeated appeals for its immediate suspension.
The statement also mentioned the last two visits of IAEA inspectors to Iran, in January and February this year, when they were denied access to the “relevant sites,” despite Iran’s assurance.
The last negotiation fell through more than a year ago and brought a series of economic sanctions on Iran, thus raising the global oil price. Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is meant for civilian and peaceful purposes and not for building nuclear weapons.
The latest joint statement made by the six nations is aimed at bringing Iran to the negotiation table over its nuclear program. It is also meant to send out the signal that Iran has lost the support of two of its key allies, Russia and China, after the way it has carried on with producing uranium enrichment in spite of repeated appeals for its immediate suspension.
The statement also mentioned the last two visits of IAEA inspectors to Iran, in January and February this year, when they were denied access to the “relevant sites,” despite Iran’s assurance.
The last negotiation fell through more than a year ago and brought a series of economic sanctions on Iran, thus raising the global oil price. Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is meant for civilian and peaceful purposes and not for building nuclear weapons.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Iran to discuss its nuclear program with global powers
After more than a year of diplomatic standoff, the six-nation global powers are to resume dialogue with Iran on the highly contentious Iran nuclear program. The announcement came from the Chief of foreign affairs of EU, Catherine Ashton, on Tuesday who is currently acting for the six global powers – the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia.
The offer for negotiations was made by Iran last month amid tremendous international pressure to halt its nuclear program. On Tuesday, Iran has made another peace offer. For the first time, it has shown willingness to give access to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear experts to visit its main nuclear complex. By making such an offer, it is believed, Iran is trying to send out the message that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, that it has nothing to hide.
The United States together with the neighboring Israel have been alleging Iran of using its nuclear program for building nuclear weapons. While, Israel has openly declared its intention to destroy Iran’s nuclear facility, the United States has shown marked restrain from making any such comments till now. President Obama of the United States has pointed out “beating the drums of war” is of no use. It has to justify the costs and merits of military action.
In fact, in today’s world, war should not be an option. Whichever side wins, it is colossal loss to mankind. War must not be justified under any pretext.
The offer for negotiations was made by Iran last month amid tremendous international pressure to halt its nuclear program. On Tuesday, Iran has made another peace offer. For the first time, it has shown willingness to give access to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear experts to visit its main nuclear complex. By making such an offer, it is believed, Iran is trying to send out the message that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, that it has nothing to hide.
The United States together with the neighboring Israel have been alleging Iran of using its nuclear program for building nuclear weapons. While, Israel has openly declared its intention to destroy Iran’s nuclear facility, the United States has shown marked restrain from making any such comments till now. President Obama of the United States has pointed out “beating the drums of war” is of no use. It has to justify the costs and merits of military action.
In fact, in today’s world, war should not be an option. Whichever side wins, it is colossal loss to mankind. War must not be justified under any pretext.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
How different is Syria unrest from recent Arab uprisings?
As the death toll rises in Syria, diplomacy fails and call for help intensifies, for the first time countries of the world are at a loss regarding how best to handle Syria crisis. Unlike other countries Libya, Yemen, Egypt or Tunisia where the autocrat rulers were overthrown by the people of their country, toppling the current regime in Syria presents some unique problem.
While many believe that the Syria unrest would eventually make the Bashar-Al-Asaad government to step down from power, but not everyone is buying into the idea. Since the onset of revolution and President Assad unleashed crackdown on protestors, there is something unique going on in Syria. This is the proxy war that the larger powers in the world are reported to be engaged in with each other (due to geopolitical proximity or business stakes) in Syria. This means if the current regime is toppled, this may divide the world.
For many years, Syrian regimes have shared closed ties with Russia and Iran and allowed them to extend business interest into their country. On the other hand, they have also maintained fairly good relationship with the United States and a stable one with the neighboring Israel. But the gross human rights violations in Syria have put the United States against Russia and China who are against foreign military intervention.
Also, unlike rebels in Libya who were unified and used to have a strong hold in Bengazi, protestors in Libya are scattered and unorganized. This has made them an uncertain entity and therefore rules out support from outside, especially with artillery or machines.
Finally, as opposed to other Arab uprisings, especially in Egypt, the Bashar-Al-Asaad regime has the backing of its army. The Syrian army is powerful, modern and unified as compared to its Libyan counterparts. It is also being said that Asaad still enjoys some support in Syria. This makes an outright military intervention in Syria highly unlikely.
While many believe that the Syria unrest would eventually make the Bashar-Al-Asaad government to step down from power, but not everyone is buying into the idea. Since the onset of revolution and President Assad unleashed crackdown on protestors, there is something unique going on in Syria. This is the proxy war that the larger powers in the world are reported to be engaged in with each other (due to geopolitical proximity or business stakes) in Syria. This means if the current regime is toppled, this may divide the world.
For many years, Syrian regimes have shared closed ties with Russia and Iran and allowed them to extend business interest into their country. On the other hand, they have also maintained fairly good relationship with the United States and a stable one with the neighboring Israel. But the gross human rights violations in Syria have put the United States against Russia and China who are against foreign military intervention.
Also, unlike rebels in Libya who were unified and used to have a strong hold in Bengazi, protestors in Libya are scattered and unorganized. This has made them an uncertain entity and therefore rules out support from outside, especially with artillery or machines.
Finally, as opposed to other Arab uprisings, especially in Egypt, the Bashar-Al-Asaad regime has the backing of its army. The Syrian army is powerful, modern and unified as compared to its Libyan counterparts. It is also being said that Asaad still enjoys some support in Syria. This makes an outright military intervention in Syria highly unlikely.
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