Russia doesn't see the need for sanctions against Syria

UNITED NATIONS, August 24 (Itar-Tass) - Russia is satisfied with a
U.N. Security Council statement on Syria passed on August 3 and doesn't
see the need to impose sanctions on Damascus.
Asked to comment whether it's the right time to introduce sanctions
against Syria, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin
said, "No. We don't think so."
Western countries members of the U.N. Security Council are working out
a draft resolution urging to exert pressure on the Syrian government. The
package of measures includes introduction of sanctions against President
Bashar al-Assad and other high-ranking Syrian officials whom the West is
blaming personally for the death of peaceful civilians. The vote is
scheduled for Tuesday evening local time.
Besides, the United States and its allies intend to blacklist a number
of Syrian companies and ask the International Criminal Court in the Hague
to issue an arrest warrant for President Bashar al-Assad as it was the
case with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi whose troops are now losing the
last positions in fighting against the opposition forces.
Russia, which is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, has
the right to veto decisions on this issue. Representatives of China, which'
s also a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, as well as South
Africa, Brazil and India that are non-permanent members of the U.N.
Security Council will most likely share the opinion of Russian diplomats
that there's no need to impose sanctions on Damascus.
Vitaly Churkin refused to comment on specific details of the draft
resolution. "Only ideas are being suggested at the moment," the Russian
diplomat said. At the same time, he emphasized that Russia felt
comfortable after the Security Council adopted a statement on August 3.
After long consultations the Security Council condemned widespread
violations of human rights and the use of force against peaceful
population by the Syrian authorities. The statement contained a call for
an immediate end to all violence.
"We hope to see progress, we hope to see dialogue (between the sides)
in Syria," Churkin explained. "We think that we need to work on the basis
of this single position," he emphasized.
According to the United Nations, about 2,200 people have been killed
in Syria since March when the Syrian authorities began suppressing
protests. In this connection, the United Nations Human Rights Council
launched an investigation on Tuesday into outbreaks of violence in Syria,
despite opposition from Russia and China, to see whether crimes against
humanity were committed during those outbursts.