Denmark's Foreign Minister Søvndal’s remarks on UN report of chemical weapons use in Syria

[ProSense]

Foreign Minister Søvndal’s remarks after the publication of the UN Inspectors Report on the use of chemical weapons in Syria

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Minister for Foreign Affairs, Villy Søvndal states:

”As expected, the report overwhelmingly confirms that chemical weapons have been used. Once again, I strongly condemn the use of chemical weapons. The report does not place the blame for their use. That was not part of the inspectors’ mandate. However, the sheer amount of proof that exists in addition to the report point in one direction; the regime.

The UN Secretary-General and the inspectors have undertaken a large and important task to independently determine the use of chemical weapons. I would like to acknowledge that work. We now have to follow it up.

It’s positive that the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, and the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, last Saturday agreed on a framework agreement for international inspection and destruction of Syria’s stockpiles of chemical weapons. The agreement must be translated into concrete action without delay. It’s important that we keep the pressure on the Syrian regime. The international community cannot allow the regime to draw out this process.

The onus now rests on the UN Security Council. A strong signal must be sent regarding international action. This is also the case in the longer term, where we expect the Security Council to have an important role in securing the compliance of the agreement.

Use of chemical weapons is a war crime. Those responsible must be punished. There must be no impunity.”

http://um.dk/en/news/newsdisplaypage/?newsID=A54ACFF6-3EBB-46CB-AE37-42C6046515EB

U.N. Report: Chemical Weapons Use In Syria Confirmed, Details Point To Assad
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023677868

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Thank you.

Yes--action by the UN Security Council.

Nobody wants Assad to get away with what he has done, but the US acting alone has no standing to right the wrongs.

[Scurrilous]

3. K & R

[ProSense]

4. Iceland’s Foreign Minister Welcomes Syria Agreement

Iceland’s Foreign Minister Welcomes Syria Agreement

Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson said in a statement today that he welcomes the agreement between the United States and Russia on the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria.

“The agreement gives us hope that chemical weapons will be put under control and concrete steps will be taken towards ending the civil war in Syria,” he said in a statement released today.

The minister echoed statements made by other world leaders that the conflict in Syria has no military solution. The minister’s statement says that information points to the Syrian government being responsible for the attacks and that urgent agreement is needed within the international community.

“The result of the UN inspection team proves that the developments of recent weeks and months call for urgent agreement by the Member States of the Security Council on response and actions,” the statement reads.

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http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/Iceland%E2%80%99s_Foreign_Minister_Welcomes_Syria_Agreement_0_402966.news.aspx