Russian condemnation of Israeli air strikes preceded Kerry’s arrival. Moscow’s Foreign Ministry called them “a threat to regional stability.”
It wants politicizing chemical weapons use stopped. On May 6, Russian Security Council head Nikolai Patrushev said “no one has reliable information about the use of chemical weapons in Syria.”
“If anyone does, we would like them to show their evidence that such weapons have indeed been used.”
On May 5, UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria (COI) investigators said testimonial evidence indicates “rebel forces” used sarin. A day later they reported “no conclusive findings” of their use.
On June 3, they’ll comment further. Don’t expect confirmation of their first assessment.
According to Press TV, Kerry came “to press top Russian officials against backing the Syrian government amid the recent US-backed Israeli aggression against the nation.”
Russia wants diplomatic conflict resolution. It opposes US-led NATO intervention. It fears it’s coming. Obama’s incrementally heading toward doing so.
Assad’s more victim than villain. Wrongfully accusing him of Western-backed insurgent crimes advances the ball for war. On Monday, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Robert Menendez (D. NJ) introduced legislation to arm opposition forces.
It’s been ongoing covertly all along. Menendez and likeminded congressional members want it done officially. They claim they’re only for “vetted rebel groups.”
On the one hand, Al Qaeda and its al-Nusra affiliate are called foreign terrorist organizations. On the other, they’re actively recruited, armed, funded, trained and directed. They’re de facto US-led NATO ground forces. Obama heads closer to giving them air support.
Kerry met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin. He and Lavrov announced convening an international conference aimed at ending conflict. They’ll urge both sides to attend.
According to Kerry, Washington wants it “as soon as possible, possibly, hopefully as soon as the end of this month.”
America and Russia have conflicting interests. Obama wants Assad ousted. All options are open to do so. Russia wants its strategic regional interests protected. Lavrov explained this way:
“I would like to emphasize we do not, we are not interested in the fate of certain persons. We are interested in the fate of the Syrian people.”
Moscow wants Syrians to decide who’ll lead them. Foreign intervention is rejected. It doesn’t want another allied regional government toppled. Doing so leaves others more vulnerable. It gives Washington greater control. It harms Russia’s strategic interests.
Convening another conference reflects the latest exercise in futility. It won’t
This article originally appeared on : Global Research