Russia looks for ways of leading Syria out of crisis - Churkin

UNITED NATIONS, August 27 (Itar-Tass) -- In contrast to the Western
course towards sanctions against Damascus Russia has come out with its own
diplomatic initiative with the aim to end violence in Syria. As Russia's
permanent representative at the UN Vitaly Churkin told the media, "a very
important emissary from Moscow" will visit Damascus on August 29.
As it has become known to Itar-Tass from diplomatic sources, Churkin
may have referred to Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. The day
before he discussed the situation in Syria with the new ambassador of that
Arab country in Moscow, Riad Haddad.
"During the conversation issues of Russian-Syrian bilateral relations,
the situation in Syria and around it, as well as topical issues of
regional and international agenda were touched upon," the Russian Foreign
Ministry said on Friday.
A few hours ago, Russia submitted to the UN a draft resolution on
Syria, which calls on the government of that country "to speed up the
promised reforms to meet the legitimate expectations and allay the fears"
of the Syrian people. Moscow's proposal is sanctions-free in nature and it
is based on the statement adopted by the UN Security Council on August 3.
It calls for "the immediate cessation of all acts of violence." However,
unlike that document, the Russian draft resolution does not condemn
Damascus for its actions.
"Russia is looking for ways of leading Syria out of the crisis," said
Churkin. "We are concerned about what is happening there. In this
situation certain actions by the Security Council can help, if the SC
pushes the sides in the right direction."
At the same time on Friday, the U.S. and other Western countries
formally presented to the Security Council a draft resolution providing
for sanctions against President Bashar Assad and other senior officials
who, in the opinion of the West, are personally responsible for civilian
casualties. In addition, the Western proposal envisages the introduction
of an arms embargo on Syria. That draft resolution met with resistance
from Moscow and Beijing, whose representatives in the UN refused to attend
the discussion.