Syria chemical weapons visit postponed after gunfire
THE HAGUE: A visit by international chemical weapons inspectors to the location of a suspected poison gas attack in the Syrian town of Douma has been delayed after gunfire at the site during a visit by a UN security team, sources told Reuters.
The UN security team entered Douma to assess the situation ahead of the planned visit by inspectors from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) international watchdog, said the sources, who had been briefed on the team’s deployment.
One source told Reuters the advance team had ‘encountered a security issue’ including gunfire which led to the delay, but could not provide additional details.
Another said they had been met by protesters demanding aid, and gunfire was heard. The UN then left. Syria’s UN ambassador said the fact-finding mission would begin its work in Douma on Wednesday if the UN security team deemed the situation there safe.
Separately, Russia’s UN ambassador on Tuesday dismissed as “untimely” a push by the United States, France and Britain at the United Nations to establish a new chemical weapons investigation in Syria and re-energize peace efforts.
The three allies on Saturday presented a draft Security Council resolution just hours after carrying out military strikes on three targets they said were linked to Syria’s chemical weapons program.
Asked about the proposed resolution, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told AFP that it was “untimely,” indicating Moscow was not ready to engage with the West on Syria after the military strikes.
“First they have to undo what they did a few days ago,” Nebenzia said, referring to the military action.
The draft resolution would set up a new inquiry to identify perpetrators of chemical attacks in Syria, push for the full dismantling of Syria’s chemical stockpiles, call for a ceasefire and demand that Syria engage in peace talks.
During a Security Council meeting called by Russia to discuss the situation in Raqa, Nebenzia said the West’s military action on Saturday had set back efforts to advance political talks.
“It’s hard to imagine that after everything that has occurred, the Syrian authorities feel any enthusiasm about discussing the political solution in their country at the request of the Western troika,” he said.
“If the goal is to force a Syrian president, under a hail of bombs, to sit at the table of negotiations... this goal is simply unrealistic,” he added.
A first round of negotiations on the draft resolution was held on Monday, but diplomats said Russia did not engage in discussions and no date has been set for a vote on the measure.
Western diplomats said they were ready to allow time for negotiations to make every effort to bring Russia on board.
“The resolution is being discussed but we are not looking for quick progress on this,” British Ambassador Karen Pierce told reporters.
“We need to chart a path back to the political process and I think we all know this is going to take time.” Russia has used its veto 12 times at the Security Council to block action targeting its Syrian ally.