Statement by Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of Russia, at the VTC of UNSC members on the situation in Syria
Mr. President,
First of all, we would like to wish speedy recovery to K.Matar who was injured in the unfortunate situation in Lebanon. We are glad to hear that she is on the way to recovery.
We thank G.Pedersen for the briefing. We wish him and the Syrian delegations success in resuming the work of the editorial commission of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva starting on August 24. We hope that the epidemiological situation will not interfere with these plans. Russia will continue to provide the Special Envoy and the Syrians with the necessary support including within the framework of the Astana format, together with Turkey and Iran. At the same time, we remind that this is a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led process which must be safeguarded from any external interference.
We consider it important to resume the political dialogue, which will facilitate the consolidation of the Syrians on a national patriotic platform and, accordingly, serve as an element of strengthening the sovereignty and independence of the Syrian Arab Republic. The main obstacles to the normalization of the situation in Syria are well-known: presence of terrorists, foreign occupation of parts of the territory, attempts to overthrow the government by means of sanctions and playing various ethno-confessional groups against each other.
In the Idlib de-escalation zone, terrorists sabotage joint Russian-Turkish patrols. Shelling of positions of government forces and nearby settlements, attacks on the Hmeimim airbase are increasing as well as provocations along the M-4 highway. On August 17, an explosive device was detonated along the patrol route, which damaged a Turkish vehicle. Terrorists remain present in other parts of Syria as well. On August 18, a Russian military convoy was attacked while it was carrying out another humanitarian operation to deliver aid to the Deir Az-Zor area. As a result Major-General of the Russian Armed Forces Vyacheslav Gladkih and Syrian military representatives died. Two Russian soldiers were wounded. All attacks by militants will be resolutely suppressed. It is obvious that achievement of a lasting calm in Idlib and other Syrian provinces is possible only if the terrorists of ISIS, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and their affiliates are neutralized and their support from abroad is stopped.
Mr. President,
The situation in Syria is further aggravated by the continued occupation by the United States of areas in the northeast. In addition to the problems in the US-controlled areas related to the activities of ISIS and the dire humanitarian situation, those areas witnessed wide protests of the Arab population against the Kurdish authorities and the American occupation.
We again point at the illegal extraction and smuggling of Syrian oil, which poses a threat to the environment not only in Syria, but also in Iraq. We took note of the contract signed by the American company "Delta Crescent Energy" for the production and processing of oil in the Kurdish regions, the fact of which was confirmed by Secretary of State M.Pompeo. We would like to hear more information about this company from our American colleagues, as well as an explanation of how this agreement complies with international law and the sovereignty of Syria. We deem this deal illegal. It is not only about the purposeful plunder of Syria's national natural resources, but also about undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. After all, we were reassured that the US army would only "protect oil" from ISIS. But it is worth mentioning that for the sake of trading oil from Syria the US made an exception from its own sanctions imposed on the oil and gas sector of Syria. It is a testimony for the whole world to see how those so-called "humanitarian" exemptions from sanctions work.
Mr. President,
I read an article that appeared in the Foreign Affairs magazine recently with a characteristic and telling title “The Pointless Cruelty of Trump’s New Syria Sanctions”. Indeed, the coercive measures have one goal - to suffocate the Syrian economy and increase sufferings of ordinary Syrians with a view to inciting social protests. Humanitarian exemptions do not work according to humanitarian NGOs themselves. We draw the attention of our Western colleagues who speak of the need to implement Security Council Resolutions 2254 and 2532 and the call of the UN Secretary-General for a ceasefire, that they are very picky about the statements of the Secretary-General. They remain deaf to calls to waiver sanctions amid the coronavirus pandemic and refused to include some provisions of Security Council Resolution 2532 in the resolution on the extension of the mechanism for cross-border humanitarian supplies. But what sort of ceasefire is this, if the United States, which, again, illegally occupies parts of Syria, strikes at government forces? On August 17, US troops fired at a Syrian army post near the settlement of Tel-Dahab in the province of Haseke killing and wounding Syrian soldiers.
We are also concerned about the situation in the IDP camps, primarily in Al-Hol camp, where first coronavirus cases were recorded. There are never-ending reports of riots in prisons and escape of terrorists.
Mr. President,
Drawing a conclusion from all this, we once again call for an early end to the foreign occupation of Syria and attempts to divide the country. The only way to bring peace to Syria is to return all its lands under the control of Damascus and promote a political settlement through a comprehensive and inclusive Syrian dialogue.
Thank you.
