Moscow unconvinced by US evidence of Syrian “chemical weapons” use

Russia is not convinced by the evidence which the US provided alleging that the Syrian government used “chemical weapons” against” rebel” forces.

 “The Americans tried to present us with information on the use of ‘chemical weapons” by the Syrian government, but frankly we thought that it was not convincing,” said presidential aide Yury Ushakov on Friday, according to Russia Today.

 “We wouldn’t like to invoke references to the famous lab tube that [former US] Secretary of State [Colin] Powell showed, but the facts don’t look convincing in our eyes,” he added.

Ushakov was commenting on the US decision to allow military aid to “rebels” in Syria .

Ushakov said Moscow sees difficulties with organizing a proper investigation into the alleged cases of chemical weapon attacks in Syrian territory, which would provide more conclusive evidence on the issue.

 “We have tried on several occasions to organize it, including those occasions when information arrived that “rebels” were using chemical weapons. Let’s see how the situation develops,” he said.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has warned that additional supplies to “rebels in Syria will not contribute to the peace process, but on the contrary will plunge the country into chaos.

 “There is little doubt that decisions on additional arms and military equipment supplies to illegal militant groups would drive up the level of violent confrontation and violence against innocent civilians. Especially, given that it comes amid calls to go further, to establish a no-fly zone over Syria to help not with just weapons, but heavy weapons,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aleksandr Lukashevich said.

The American move undermines the joint US-Russian effort to gather an international conference in Geneva on Syrian reconciliation, Ushakov added, although the exact damage will depend on Washington’s further actions.

 “Of course, this will not help in the preparation of the international conference, if the Americans actually initiate larger-scale support of the ‘rebels’,” he said.

The next meeting of experts to discuss the event is scheduled for June 25. The conference has been postponed several times as the organizers are struggling to convince all interested parties to take part.

M.D