Statement by Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation Vassily Nebenzia on Syria
Mr. President,
We thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen for his briefing. We’ve listened attentively to the report of Under-Secretary-General Mark Lowcock. We are not surprised by the actions of the Security Council "humanitarian Caucus", which demanded to invite Mark Lowcock at the very last moment. We understand your motives. Twice this month we have discussed humanitarian issues, and the monthly briefing on humanitarian situation in Syria that took place on 27 February is also on the SC work program. Perhaps next time we should invite High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Ms. Nakamitsu and discuss all aspects of the Syrian crisis at a time.
Now, we would like to focus mostly on political aspects that are on the today’s agenda.
We seek to facilitate the peace process. With Russia playing a key role, along with Turkey and Iran, we established a Constitutional Committee. There is simply no other mechanism for political dialogue. Two sessions of the Committee have already been held. Mr. Pedersen and his team are now working to convene a third meeting and are in regular contact with the Syrian parties. To that end, the Special Envoy and then his deputy have recently visited Damascus. We consider it right that the parties first should agree on the agenda for the meeting in order to ensure talks on specific issues. It is the Syrians who are to determine the fate of their country. We will also encourage the Syrians to act constructively.
Mr. President,
Many countries give Russia advice on what to do and how to do. For our part, we can also give a couple of recommendations.
First, it is necessary to stop protecting militants, including those from UNSC-listed organisations such as ‘Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’. Recently, we’ve heard again a statement by a senior U.S. official, James Jeffrey, that ‘Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’ is ready for negotiations. However, it will not be possible to provide them with political cover presenting them as "revolutionaries", and to force the Syrian government to negotiate with them.
The Russian Defense Ministry reports that there are samples of modern Western munition in captured weapons depots, many of which were organized in schools and hospitals converted into combat positions. It is necessary to stop feeding militants in Syria with weapons. By the way, when the armed detachments moved towards Damascus, with approval of some Western States, I do not remember that at that time the Security Council meetings were held so often, although the casualties among civilians and in the Syrian army were enormous. We have already learned that some of our colleagues draw a clear line between the "right" Syrians and those Syrians who support the legitimate authorities.
We have heard all of today's rhetoric on many occasions this month. You are playing the card of civilian suffering and long-term truce every time when the terrorists you cherish are in danger. How can we respond to your accusations of exterminating civilians? Whatever we say trying to persuade you, you stubbornly keep speaking about deliberate bombings of schools, hospitals and refugee camps. Nobody can stay indifferent. Safe bet! Who will bother whether it is true or not? Last time, we gave a detailed account of the efforts made by our military to protect civilians and to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. Obviously, my colleague, the Permanent Representative of Great Britain, did not catch it. I want to remind her one more thing that we said. It is not good to boast of destruction, but it is evident that counter-terrorist measures taken by the Syrian Army in Idlib caused less destruction of civilian facilities, compared with the destruction we observed after the military actions of the so-called international coalition in Raqqa, Mosul and other cities that were ruthlessly bombed by those who reportedly fought against terrorism.
We regret the death of Oxfam aid workers in south of Syria in Dar'a governorate. They were attacked by an armed group. That reaffirms the need to combat the armed groups and to restore the control of the Syrian Government throughout the territory of the country.
I urge everybody who has influence on the factions in Idlib to do something in order to stop shooting at civilians, drone attacks on Russian air-base ‘Khmeimim’ and provocations against the Syrian army. For your information: 29 attacks were recorded in Latakia, Idlib, Hama, Aleppo during the past day. Without that, a sustainable ceasefire cannot be achieved. Someone has said recently that international humanitarian law applies to all types of conflicts. We therefore ask to put pressure on terrorist in Idlib and make them stop using civilians as human shields, stop the execution and torture of those who go to street to oppose the invasion of terrorists, and give resident access to humanitarian exit corridors. By the way, I have information for those who doubt that those humanitarian corridors exist: in one day alone, on 18 February 177 people crossed the Bjarez checkpoint, 171 - Maaret al-Numan, 35 - Habit.
Thirdly, it is necessary to begin the post-conflict reconstruction right now. Our colleagues today will hold an Arria-formula meeting on children in Syria. And how does that relate to the fact that sanctions impede the reconstruction of schools, hospitals and basic infrastructure? Our colleagues, who hold the Arria-formula meeting, are increasing pressure. For example on 17 February they imposed sanctions on Syrian companies involved in the post-conflict reconstruction of the country. How does that correlate with caring for Syrians?
Г-н Председатель,
Mr. President,
The Russian Federation, as well as other members of the Council, expresses its concern about the situation with tens of thousands of internally displaced persons who are not in refugee camps. Resolving their problems should become a priority for the humanitarian community, especially given the winter season and vulnerability of many of them. As far as we understand, humanitarians have resources for these needs. Luckily, donors spare no expense so far in helping those who live on the territories beyond the Government’s control.
Moreover, we would like to note it is necessary to anticipate such problems and plan appropriate responses to them, so that people wouldn't find themselves in the "bare field" in winter. But it is presented as another big story. We are aware of such tricks. To understand them better, let us recall the same "big story" of last month - the mechanism of cross-border assistance. Do you remember how everyone reproached us for closing the Iraqi Al Yarubiyah crossing points? At that time we were asked to do our best to coordinate with the Syrian side alternative delivery routes as soon as possible. They told us that it is extremely important, because the medicines at warehouses of Hasakah are about to run out.
For some reason, OCHA has not informed the Council and the public about the course of events. Let me do this. The Syrian side responded to the UN request for an alternative route within 24 hours (and you say that Damascus does not want to cooperate). And provided response on both routs (from Iraq and from Syria). This is the note. It is dated January 29. Today is the 19th of February. The convoy was not sent either from Iraq or Damascus. The United Nations colleagues have been silent for three weeks. Is it not so urgent any more? Or has the sensational story gone from the front pages and therefore Hasakah’s needs do not matter any more? Anyway, we expect OCHA to include this in its report on the development of alternatives to Al Yarubiyah.
Reestablishment of the Government’s control over oil fields would also contribute to improving the humanitarian situation in Syria. If some of our colleagues are deeply concerned about protecting oil fields from militants, we could advise them to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Damascus. Otherwise, presence in Syria is illegal. As is the case in other areas - “Al-Tanf”, where the issue of the Ruqban camp is still pending, and in Hasakah, where refugees are suffering in the Al-Howl camp. This includes visits by officials to territories outside the control of the Syrian Government. I wonder how such visits will be carried out when terrorists are operating there.
Mr. President,
I would also like to note that on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River there is an increasing threat posed by militants who escape from prisons. There are also foreign terrorists among them. Some of them go underground settling in refugee camps. Others are scattered across the region. We express our utmost concern about this development.
For our part, we will continue our efforts to normalize the situation in Syria. We believe that it is important to establish historical ties between various ethnic and religious groups, which have suffered heavy losses during attempts to tear the country to pieces.
Achieving stability in Syria is possible only through a commitment to sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. To my German colleague, who asked me a direct question, I want to answer that we will not stop supporting the legitimate Syrian Government, which is legitimately fighting against international terrorism.
Thank you.
