- Title: RUSSIA: Moscow criticises suggestion of sanctions against Syria
- Date: 8th September 2011
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 7, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY RECEPTION BUILDIN HOUSE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER ALAIN JUPPE AND RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER ANATOLY SERDYUKOV TAKING SEATS AT NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS AT PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV SAYING: "We are opposed in principle to transforming sanctions into an instrument which is used constantly for solving problems of this kind. This is even more the case when it concerns unilateral sanctions, the appropriateness of which have not been discussed in a collective format by the international community. We are in favour of first thinking about a strategy collective actions to solve these or other current problems of the international agenda, and only later agreeing on which methods should be used to realise this collectively elaborated strategy." JOURNALISTS MAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV SAYING: "Rejecting this dialogue means that the opposition, or those who among the opposition in fact take this boycott position, have taken a course of confrontation, and perhaps are counting on foreign assistance, as in the Libyan instance, but today we have discussed this with our French colleagues. It is not their choice, because such a scenario would signify the prospect of new bloodshed and the loss of many, many human lives." JOURNALISTS TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS, TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER ALAIN JUPPE SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "We affirm, like the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, that the Syrian regime has committed crimes against humanity and that the way in which they have repressed popular demonstrations is not acceptable. After the third consideration (of the issue) we think that the sanctions can be useful. It is one of the instruments the Security Council can use, and that's why we are working with this perspective at the Council. This is a subject for dialogue and discussion between us during the coming weeks." JOURNALIST MAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER ANATOLY SERDYUKOV SAYING: "Concerning the third and fourth ships, a negotiation process is right now underway, that is - the signing of a contract with SSK, the United Shipbuilding Corporation. So the third and fourth ships will be built on the territory of Russia. I expect that we should complete this whole negotiating process and sign these contracts by the end of the year. " PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PICTURE NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 23rd September 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Russian Federation
- Country: Russia
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA1N6PRJGPMAM77LISXCLCJRQYC
- Story Text: The Foreign Ministers of Russia and France differed on possible UN Security Council sanctions against Syria at a meeting in Moscow on Wednesday (September 7).
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticised possible sanctions as an instrument against Syria.
"We are opposed in principle to transforming sanctions into an instrument which is used constantly for solving problems of this kind. This is even more the case when it concerns unilateral sanctions, the appropriateness of which have not been discussed in a collective format by the international community. We are in favour of first thinking about a strategy collective actions to solve these or other current problems of the international agenda, and only later agreeing on which methods should be used to realise this collectively elaborated strategy," he said.
Lavrov said Moscow had expressed its position in the draft resolution it had distributed at the UN Security Council.
"Rejecting this dialogue means that the opposition, or those who among the opposition in fact take this boycott position, have taken a course of confrontation, and perhaps are counting on foreign assistance, as in the Libyan instance, but today we have discussed this with our French colleagues. It is not their choice, because such a scenario would signify the prospect of new bloodshed and the loss of many, many human lives," said Mr Lavrov.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe meanwhile urged Russia to shift its stance to support Security Council sanctions to send a strong signal to the Syrian authorities, criticising President Bashar al-Assad's government over the bloodshed caused by what he called its disproportionate response to demonstrations.
"We affirm, like the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, that the Syrian regime has committed crimes against humanity and that the way in which they have repressed popular demonstrations is not acceptable. After the third consideration (of the issue) we think that the sanctions can be useful. It is one of the instruments the Security Council can use, and that's why we are working with this perspective at the Council. This is a subject for dialogue and discussion between us during the coming weeks," Juppe said.
Russian officials have said in recent months that they would not support any sanctions resolution on Syria, and have hinted Moscow might use its veto power as a permanent Security Council member to block passage of such a measure.
Lavrov gave no sign that Russia, which has sold arms to Syria and has a naval maintenance facility on its Mediterranean coast, intends to change its position.
Russia, which is wary of outside intervention in the politics of sovereign states in part because of accusations the Kremlin has backtracked on democracy in the past decade, has said Assad needs more time to carry out promised reforms.
Lavrov criticised Western sanctions on Syria but did not publicly embrace a plan voiced by Syria's finance minister to sell the oil European customers cannot take under a new EU import ban to Russia or China.
Despite differences on Syria, the two sides confirmed a deal on two new helicopter carrier ships to be built in Russia in partnership with France.
"Concerning the third and fourth ships, a negotiation process is right now underway - the signing of a contract by SSK, the United Shipbuilding Corporation. So the third and fourth ships will be built on the territory of Russia. I expect that we should complete this whole negotiating process and sign these contracts by the end of the year,"said Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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