Russia not keen on UN Syria resolution - France's Fabius

[Bosonic]

Source: Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) - Russia is not keen at this stage for a binding U.N. Security Council resolution that would provide a framework to control Syria's chemical weapons' stocks, France's foreign minister said after talks with his Russian counterpart on Tuesday.

"As I understood, the Russians at this stage were not necessarily enthusiastic, and I'm using euphemism, to put all that into the framework of a U.N. binding resolution," Laurent Fabius told French lawmakers after a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Read more: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2013/09/11/Russia-not-keen-on-UN-Syria-resolution--Frances-Fabius.aspx

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BREAKING Russia opposed to UN resolution on Syria: French foreign minister

https://twitter.com/AFP/status/377456924213911552

Context: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014591010

[jakeXT]

1. I think the 3rd point in the French resolution was that they accept the blame for the Aug 21 attack

[David__77]

2. I'm pretty sure that they oppose Chapter 7.

Russia isn't going to facilitate the military option. Not after Libya. It isn't going to happen, even if they indicate that they'll consider it.

[jakeXT]

3. Same old

Mr Fabius said that the French proposal would be tabled under Chapter Seven of the UN charter, which would authorise the use of force if Syria failed to comply. The French want five elements in the resolution: the condemnation of the August 21st massacre, which Mr Fabius said firmly was “committed by the regime”; the opening up of Syria’s chemical-weapons stocks to international control and dismantling; the placing of such stocks under an international inspections regime; a warning that Syria would face serious consequences if it breached these terms; and, finally, the sanctioning by the international criminal court of those responsible for the August 21st attack.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2013/09/france-and-syria

[another_liberal]

6. So the current French text calls on Assad to convict himself of war crimes?

Oh sure, that should work just perfectly!

[dipsydoodle]

4. Yes - not after the Micky Mouse Libyan one

the wording of which allowed action beyond its intent.

[bigdarryl]

7. Why should that even be in there just get them to turn over the DAMN shit

Sounds like France is being a spoiler in the negotiations

[jakeXT]

8. Russian foreign minister Lavrov told French counterpart that proposal for a UN Security council hold

Russian foreign minister Lavrov told French counterpart that proposal for a UN Security council holding Syrian government responsible for possible use of chemical arms 'unacceptable'

- Russian foreign ministry says Moscow will propose UN draft declaration supporting imitative to put Syrian chemical weapons under international control

http://portal.ransquawk.com/headlines/russian-foreign-minister-lavrov-told-french-counterpart-that-proposal-for-a-un-security-council-holding-syrian-government-responsible-for-possible-use-of-chemical-arms-unacceptable-10-09-2013

They allegedly played a part in sabotaging a Kerry visit in 2011

WASHINGTON (JTA) – The Obama administration and France reportedly nixed a visit by U.S. Sen. John Kerry to Syria.

Kerry (D-Mass.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has cultivated a relationship with the Syrian regime otherwise treated as a pariah in the West in the hope of drawing it away from Iranian influence.

The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that Kerry had planned a visit last month, but the governments of the United States and of French President Nicolas Sarkozy blocked the visit out of concern that it would signal "Western weakness" as pro-Iranian and pro-Western forces jockeyed for influence in Syria’s neighbor, Lebanon

Read more: http://www.jta.org/2011/03/28/news-opinion/united-states/report-u-s-france-nixed-kerry-visit-to-syria

[another_liberal]

5. The problem seems to be . . .

The French resolution in its current form calls on Syria to accept blame for the sarin gas attack on civilians in Damascus. Russia rightly fears such a demand will be rejected by President Assad who still claims his forces were not responsible.

I have to agree with the Russians on this point. We have a chance to avert a war which could engulf the entire region. Lets leave apportioning blame for a later date, and just get the Syrian chemical weapons out of the picture. Wasn't that what all the fuss was about to begin with?