1st February was the day when Russia made itself clear on the new declaration adopted by UN on Syria. Russia was undesirable of the resolution which didn’t favor military involvement to put an end to bloody war. This ravaging war has been carried on by the demonstrators protesting against the reign of Bashar al-Assad, the president.

In the last ten months, as many as five thousand people were killed in this politically motivated hostility. The protesters opine that forces of President have put on hold the actions in the ongoing week due to pressure from opposition. This action of the forces ranges from suburb area of Damascus to Hama’s cities, bordering areas of Idlib and Deraa and Homs.

On 31st January, Western and Arab countries pleaded UN’s Security Council for adopting smooth action realted to declaration supporting scheme of Arab League. This planning by Arab League aimed at asking Assad to pass on the reigns to his assistant and nullify the war continuing from eleven months against the dynastic rule by his family.

According to Vitaly Churkin, the UN envoy to Russia informed reporters in Moscow- “If the text will be unacceptable for us we will vote against it, of course”. It was conveyed through a video link from New York. He was of the opinion that “If it is a text that we consider erroneous, that will lead to a worsening of the crisis, we will not allow it to be passed. That is unequivocal”.

This opinion was expressed a long time after Vladimir Chizhov, Russian envoy to EU told that there was not even a slight possibility of acceptance of outlined text by Western-Arab countries. This could not happen unless     this text specifically discarded interference of armed forces.

Veto powers rest with two of the Security Council members- Russia and China. Both the countries have opposed force thrust from Western countries which is for a decision accusing the step by the government of Syria to put an end to unrest.

There was a meeting of ambassadors of UN Security Council in New York for discussing steps to conquer the difference in opinion they have on the words used in declaration of European- Arab draft. It was submitted by Morocco to the members of council few days ago.

This highly secret meeting ended with no decision and would gain be conducted on 2nd February. This was told by UN mission of Germany. And, the draft would contain changes as per the meeting held on 1st February. According to the mission the discussions in the meeting were “rather constructive”.

As per council’s official, Churkin strongly opposed complete support to plan by Arab League according to the present draft. He expressed his disapproval in the presence of the council members. The official also stated that Moscow would accept the clause related to sales of arms mentioned in the draft unless a waiver of transfer of weapons to the government of Syria.

Ambassador of US to UN, Susan Rice said- “It’s way too soon in my judgment to know whether ultimately there will be agreement”. Also, mentioning- “It’s long past time for this council to take meaningful action.”

The foreign minister of France, Alain Juppe, could perceive a ray of hope in spite of comments by Russia. He expressed- “We will work furiously in the next few days to try and get a resolution that will allow the Arab League to forge ahead in finding a solution,” in the Paris parliament.

Russia was of the opinion that the Western countries used fluffy words in the March 2011 declaration of Security Council. It was centered on a compulsive step to be taken by Libya to protect common people from war in countries of North Africa. This war was due to the demand to upstage the government which was supported by air hit by NATO and as a result Muammar Gadaffi was overthrown.

Russia is worried that more steps against Syria proposed by the draft would result in approval of things; the country is not in favor of.

Who’s Stand?

The main constraint in the draft is the desire of Arab League to overthrow Assad from his power. Moscow views this as a change in power. Envoys view the rewording draft as a biggest task so that it lowers down its pitch yet remaining same on the motive.

According to Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State- “Every member of the council has to make a decision: Whose side are you on? Are you on the side of the Syrian people? … Or are you on the side of a brutal, dictatorial regime?”

Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Lavrov told- “The policy of isolation and trying to remove the government risked igniting a “much bigger drama” in the Middle East.” “The people who are obsessed with removing regimes in the region, they should be really thinking about the broader picture”. “And I’m afraid that if this vigor to change regimes persists, we are going to witness a very bad situation much, much, much broader than just Syria, Libya, Egypt or any other single country.”