Russia vetoes Western draft resolution violating Syria’s sovereignty

NEW York, Jul.11, (ST)- Russia vetoed Tuesday a Western draft resolution violating Syria’s sovereignty under the pretext of delivering cross-border aid, while the West hindered the adoption of a Russian draft resolution that represents a sincere attempt to enable UN Security Council to carry out its responsibilities to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria in a real and effective way.

In a session held following UN Security Council vote to two Russian and western draft resolutions to extend the delivery of humanitarian aid, Syria’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh, said: ““Since the first day of launching consultations regarding the extension the resolution’s effects, Syria has been keen on adopting a constructive approach to meet Syrian poeple’s needs without any discrimination or politicization, particularly following the destructive earthquake.”

Sabbagh added that Syria has showed a positive openness and engagement with the friendly countries at UNSC, and it has expressed concerns about the western draft resolution based on the evaluation put for the application of resolution 2672.

The Syrian diplomat point out to the need for boosting the early recovery projects to include developmental sustainable solutions, particularly after the earthquake.

He underscored that western states are still politicizing the humanitarian act and going far beyond in exploiting its mechanism as a tool of pressure and political blackmail against Syria.

Sabbagh called for ensuring the requirements for the return of refugees and ensure that the western unilateral measures wouldn’t affect the humanitarian relief process.

He regretted that  the Western draft resolution did not reflect Syria’s aspirations and did not reassure it of the possibility of implementing it in good intention.

The diplomat denounced the insistence of some representatives of Western countries in the Council on distorting the facts, indicating that the continuaty of politicizing humanitarian work  by the United States and its Western allies and obstructing  sincere effort being exerted to alleviate the suffering of the Syrians is behind the state of division that we witnessed today in the council.

On the 9th of last January, the Security Council adopted Resolution No. (2672) extending the use of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing for the delivery of aid for an additional six months.

Basma Qaddour