Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations
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We welcome the initiative of the Chinese delegation to lead discussions on the most topical aspect of fighting terrorism in the framework of an open debate. We believe that it is very timely. Right now, with the fight against terrorism in Syria and Iraq in full swing, there is a clearer picture of the whole range of issues facing international counter-terrorism cooperation. We call for a frank and open discussion of those issues and a determination of where the capacities for their resolution lie. The steadily increasing activities of terrorist organizations is at the centre Council’s attention. Resolutions 2178 (2014), 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015) adapted United Nations mechanisms to the most recent threats from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Jabhat Al-Nusra, Al-Qaida and affiliated groups. The obligation of Governments in the implementation of sanctions regimes and in the suppression of illicit flows of financing and human resources to terrorists was stressed.At the same time, despite the declared convergence of positions and the existence of necessary tools for the Security Council, in practice, combatting international terrorism is far from ideal. The reasons lie largely in the unprecedented spread of that scourge in the Middle East and North Africa. In that region, carrying out external geopolitical schemes, accompanied by gross interference in the internal affairs of its States, led to an erosion of Government institutions and pumping resources into opposition forces and the uncontrolled spread of weapons and ammunition. It was triggered by an unprecedented surge in radicalization of local populations. Several countries are ready to use terrorists and extremists as a means of pressuring legitimate Governments, and double standards in appraising the activities of radicals have in the last analysis led to an outburst of groups such as ISIL and Jabhat Al-Nusra. These double standards are, unfortunately, obvious in the implementation of counter-terrorism decisions taken by the Security Council.The largest portion of oil products, artefacts and other items exported by ISIL from the territories it controls continues to be sold through Turkey, owing to its complacency or inaction. Turkey’s borders with Iraq and especially with Syria are the main transit routes for foreign terrorists fighters and weapons, most of which fall into the hands of the terrorists. In that regard, we believe it is relevant, in the name of counter-terrorism, to consider closing the Turkish-Syrian border. We might also want to consider levying a comprehensive economic and trade embargo against ISIL.If Turkey believes that it is doing everything necessary to curtail the flows of supplies to terrorists, that could be corroborated by independent monitors. We call on the Turkish Government to invite international observers to the Syrian border and the Ceyhan port, on a voluntary basis, for that purpose. To date, we have not seen any explanation for the bad-faith implementation by Turkey of its obligations under Security Council resolutions, other than Ankara’s desire to carry out its own agenda in Syria and Iraq. In future joint work, we need to take into account the specifics of terrorist threats, especially as they have taken shape in recent years. In that regard, we would necessarily underscore the threat of chemical terrorism. Fighters from various radical groups, as recently as this year, have used toxic chemical agents on several occasions. There is a known case of ISIL having used mustard gas in Deir ez-Zor.Russia has long expressed concern that terrorist groups, which are rampant in the Middle East, have obtained a formidable capacity to wage war using toxic substances. We believe that the Council has yet to exhaust all of its options to combat that threat. Yesterday, with our Chinese partners, we circulated a draft resolution to the Security Council, clarifying the counter-terrorism portion of the mandate of the joint investigative mechanism of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for incidents involving the use of chemical weapons in Syria, pursuant to resolution 2235 (2015). We hope that there will be a speedy adoption of the draft resolution by the Council.As of now, the main phase of the operations of Russian air forces against ISIL and other terrorist groups in Syrian territory has been completed. The objectives of the mission set out for the forces have been carried out successfully. The terrorists have suffered considerable damage and have been removed from a number of areas in the country. A striking symbol of ISIL’s retreat was the liberation of the ancient city of Palmyra by Syrian forces, with Russian support.However, to fully defeat the terrorists, much remains to be done. We once again call for strengthening of coordination and cooperation among States to defeat ISIL, Jabhat Al-Nusra and affiliated groups. That is necessary and should be done by dispensing with double standards, with the United Nations playing a central coordinating role and on the sound footing of international law.I necessarily have to comment on the statement made by the representative of Ukraine. Unfortunately, the Ukrainian delegation is once again using the Council to diffuse its anti-Russian propaganda. I believe that several of the statements made are absolutely scandalous. The Security Council does not benefit from that, and neither does the image of Ukrainian diplomacy. There is a need to stick to the agenda, which today does not contain an item on the settlement of the situation in Ukraine. The full-scale hostilities were begun in 2014 against the civilians in the eastern part of the country by the Kyiv politicians who came to power after a bloody coup d’état, and they continue to try to justify their actions unsuccessfully.