Remarks to the Press by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia after Security Council consultations on the Middle East
Q.: Ambassador, how would you comment on latest developments in the Middle East?
A.: I think my Chinese colleague has already spoken on the statement made by the United States shortly. I missed that statement, because we were at consultations the whole morning through today. However, I read it afterwards. It says the U.S. condemns China and Russia for blocking Press Statement of the Security Council regarding attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
I would like to inform you that, first of all, it is our principle to strongly condemn any attack on any embassy anywhere in the world, in whatever country it is. We strongly condemn the attack on the American Embassy in Baghdad. The Press Statement was nearly ready. It was agreed upon, at least with us and with the U.S. However then, on 3 January, there was that strike on the airport in Baghdad. To ignore this and not to take this into account in the overall context would be impossible. Therefore, we said we could propose amendments to the Press Statement, but those amendments would not be acceptable for our U.S. colleagues. So the statement did not go through not because we do not condemn the attack, but because the context in which the statement was evolving has become different at the time it was about to be adopted.
Q.: Could you please tell us more specifically what you imply under this change of context?
A.: We now have to talk about the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq, the need to de-escalate in the region, prevent developments from going down the drain towards a major conflict. All this could not but be taken into account in any Statement that was to come out from the Security Council. Please do not forget that the attack on the American Embassy in Baghdad was preceded by U.S. strikes against certain groups in Iraq. It was the reaction. It was unfortunate and it cannot be justified in any case, because of diplomatic immunity, etc. But you see that the context became different at that point.
Q.: Ambassador, will you be proposing that the Security Council may issue a statement to take any action over the killing of Soleimani?
A.: We were not discussing that today. You understand that prospects are zero for such a statement.
Q.: I have a question about Libya and your discussions of this matter today. Mr.Salame was very angry that the Security Council keeps talking about Libya and not the impact of this on the Libyans, that there are continued violations of the arms embargo, and Security Council’s failure to issue any kind of call for a ceasefire. Do you see any prospect of the UNSC calling for an immediate ceasefire?
A.: Point 1: Ghassan Salame was talking differently when he was inside the room. Point 2: You heard the President of the Security Council read the Press Elements: ceasefire is featuring prominently there.
Q.: What is happening with your draft resolution on North Korea?
A.: Wait a little about it. There a few other things at the moment.
