1 Feb 15:46
Russia: we'll veto unless UNSC Syria resolution bars military intervention
It's hard to imagine what legitimate objection could be made to the Russian demand, since 1) use of force against a UN member state unless in immediate self-defense against armed attack or with the explicit authorization of the UN Security Council is prohibited by the UN Charter and 2) it is widely claimed that Western countries have no intention of intervening militarily. If the UN Charter is real, then the Russian demand just reaffirms existing international law. If the US and its friends refuse the Russian demand, then either 1) they want to keep the option open to intervene militarily, or 2) they object "in principle" to "setting a precedent" that Western countries have to obey the UN Charter or 3) they see a Russian veto as a goal, not an outcome to be avoided. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/01/us-syria-idUSTRE80S08620120201 8:09am EST By Steve Gutterman MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia signaled on Wednesday it would veto a draft U.N. resolution calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down unless it explicitly ruled out military intervention to halt the bloodshed touched off by protests against his rule. Escalating violence in Syria has killed thousands of people and activists say Assad's forces have stepped up operations this week against opposition strongholds, from the Damascus suburbs to the cities of Hama and Homs and the border provinces of Deraa and Idlib.(Continue reading)
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