Nuncio in Damascus: 'Deplorable and repeated' divisions on Syria reflect bankruptcy of UN
Card. Zenari critical of the United Nations which has the task of finding a path to peace. Conflict is the sign of "complete failure" between "a crossfire of vetoed resolutions and others voted, but never adopted". Moscow and Washington have torpedoed "a dozen key resolutions" for the country's future.
Damascus (AsiaNews) - "The repeated divisions" in the UN Security Council are "deplorable" because, in fact, they have "prevented" any attempt to resolve the conflict and seek a stable and lasting peace in Syria.
This is the very harsh charge laid by the Apostolic Nuncio to Syria Card. Mario Zenari who, approached by AsiaNews, confides his fears for the future of a nation teetering on the verge of an open war between world powers with opposing interests (and alliances). In a context of increasing accusations and violence, adds the Cardinal, the appeal for peace by Pope Francis remains central, who even in recent days has returned to pray for Syria.
Overnight Moscow and Washington continued their war of words which is increasingly pointing to the likelihood of open conflict with missiles and air raids, while the standoff at the UN reflects the impotence of the greatest world organism on Syria.
Meanwhile, Damascus has concluded its offensive in Eastern Ghouta with the conquest of Douma, where the chemical attack that triggered the escalation of tension is reported to have taken place. There has still be no independent confirmation of the attack.
Speaking from Damascus, the Nuncio denounces unacceptable "splits" within an organism that has, among other primary tasks, "that of preventing conflicts and seeking peace at all costs". The latest of these "divisions" was demonstrated "only a couple of days ago, on important measures to be taken" to try to stem the escalation of tension.
The Cardinal calls for a thorough analysis of "the work done in these seven years by the Council" to assess the extent of the disaster: "A dozen resolutions vetoed, at key moments for the future of the country", to stop the noise of arms and guarantee support for a population devastated by a bloody conflict.
There are five permanent member states in the UN Security Council: they are the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom. According to the UN statute, each of them can exercise the right of veto and prevent the adoption of a resolution voted by the majority. A power that Moscow and Washington have exercised repeatedly in these seven years of war in Syria.
"The right of veto - recalls Card. Zenari - was used once again a couple of days ago, to exercise the cross-blocking of two draft opposing resolutions [one of the United States, the second of Russia)". And again, on February 24th, "a resolution aimed at a truce was stillborn and did not last even a few hours", continues the Cardinal. "Just as the meeting concluded in New York, fighter-jets were already criss-crossing the skies of Syria".
The Cardinal warns that the reality is that the United Nations “complete failure” on Syria rests on " resolutions vetoed in the bud and others voted, but never adopted". They have saved, he adds, only "marginal measures" that concerned "cross-border humanitarian convoys, which have brought aid to Syria from the Jordanian or Turkish border. Too little".
"I can only deplore the continuing divisions of the Council over the years. An organism that was born to stop conflicts - concludes the Cardinal - and that so far has done nothing ". (DS)
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13/04/2018 11:35
08/09/2017 10:05
