Russia’s UN envoy, Vitaly Churkin, retaliated to US diplomat’s claims of alleged crimes against civilians in Aleppo by saying that she was in no position to act “as if she was Mother Teresa” because she represented a country with a poor human rights record, Itar Tass reported.
Speaking at a UN Security Council session on Tuesday night, US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power accused the Syrian government and its allies of “killing civilians in Aleppo.”
The Russian envoy, who delivered the news about the cessation of hostilities in Aleppo to the council, hit back, accusing Power of building her statement “as if she was Mother Teresa”.
“Please remember what country you represent. Remember your own country’s track record before you start opining from the position of moral or any other kind of supremacy. The history and the God will judge who is guilty of what,” he said.
Churkin also hinted at the role the “Western trio” had played in the escalation of the crisis Syria and at the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, which triggered the creation of the outlawed “Islamic State” terrorist group, now active in Syria and a number of other states in the region.
China Reiterates Call for Political Solution on Syria – Official
On his part, Wu Haitao, Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said that China reiterated its call on the international community to seek political settlement of the conflict in Syria as well as to fight terrorism and provide Syrian people with humanitarian aid.
He pointed out that China was ready to work with the international community in order to achieve political solution of the conflict.
“Given the complexity and sensitivity of current circumstances, it is all the more important for the international community to stay on the course without wavering towards our overarching goal – to seek a political settlement,” Wu said on Tuesday at the UN Security Council, as quoted by the Xinhua news agency.
“Any effort by the international community should be conducive to the work on all four tracks, namely resumption of ceasefire, political talks, joint counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance,” the diplomat said.
H.M