Russia Steps Up Syrian Diplomacy

Posted September 9th, 2011 at 3:55 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has hinted that Moscow may be open to a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at sending a “strong message” to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but only if it also addresses anti-government protesters.

Speaking to Euronews television on Thursday, Mr. Medvedev said the Syrian government's “disproportionate use of force” and “high toll of casualties” are unacceptable.

But he also expressed concern at the action of anti-Assad protesters, saying some of them should be considered “terrorists,” and claiming they do not advocate “refined European models of democracy.”

Russia has opposed attempts by Western governments to pass a U.N. Security resolution against Mr. Assad, instead preferring their own draft urging Syria to implement democratic reforms.

On Thursday, Mr. Medvedev hinted that Russia may support a U.N.-backed message, but only if it does not amount to a “one-sided condemnation of the government and President Assad.”

Mr. Medvedev's remarks came the same day Russia announced plans to mediate talks that could allow Mr. Assad to remain in power.

Russian envoy Mikhail Margelov plans to meet Syrian opposition figures in Moscow Friday before meeting with an aide to Mr. Assad on Monday. Margelov said Russia is holding out against a United Nations resolution in the hope that its own proposal would win support.

Meanwhile, Syria's crackdown on anti-government protesters continued Thursday when troops raided a residence in the northwestern village of Ibleen, killing three military defectors.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the house belongs to the brother of Hussein Harmouche, who allegedly defected from the army in June and set up the Syrian Free Officers movement.

The state-run SANA news agency said Thursday that eight law enforcement and security force members were killed by “armed terrorist groups” in the city of Homs. Mr. Assad's government has blamed much of the deadly violence on armed gunmen and terrorists.

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he has urged Syria to carry out political reforms “before it is too late.” During a speech in Australia Thursday, Mr. Ban said violence against Syrians had continued despite his repeated calls for President Assad to halt his forces' “excessive and lethal” actions.

The United Nations estimates 2,200 people have been killed since March after Mr. Assad launched the crackdown on dissent.