Dear Editor,
As a feedback to the editorial `Speechless in Syria’ of October 1, 2016 I would like to share with you the Russian vision of the recent developments in Syria in the last interview by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the BBC. It contains the analysis of the deterioration and the difficulties in joint counter-terrorist efforts.
In recent weeks the situation in Syria has been deteriorating and poses a serious threat to international stability raising the concern of many United Nations countries including Russia. Speaking about increased violence in Syria, first of all in Aleppo, Sergey Lavrov said that the entire problem derives from the fact that the United States and its coalition refuses to separate the opposition from the terrorist groups who joined Al-Nusra.
In spite of many promises and commitments, the Minister said, the US are not able or not willing to do this and Russia has more reasons to believe that Washington may be tacitly supporting jihadist rebels in Syria. The situation in Aleppo has been aggravated since the opposition took the southwestern suburb of this city, cutting off 1.5 million people and basically organizing a siege, preventing them from getting food supplies and humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, the US remains silent over this development and terrorist re-supplies in the city during the ceasefire agreed between Moscow and Washington earlier in September. These pauses have been used by Al-Nusra to get more ammunition and heavy weapons.
The historical parallels are inevitable between support by the US Government to Al-Nusra and backing Afghanistan rebels in 1980s which later transformed into al-Qaeda, as well as the ISIS growth in the Middle East after the US invasion of Iraq. The Minister stated that the reason for Al-Nusra support could be Washington’s desire to change the government in Damascus.
Russia continues its contribution to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria. Upon the request by the United Nations the ceasefire has been used to provide the humanitarian assistance. As of today, Russia has delivered about 20 tons of humanitarian relief to Syria, over 5 tons – to Aleppo.
At the same time Russia-US cooperation in Syria is still quite limited. The bilateral interaction covers only discussions and negotiations. The American side prevents making public agreed documents. The political dialogue is interrupted by recent inappropriate statements by State Department representatives on new terrorist threats that are absolutely unacceptable and deplorable.
We are still ready for an open dialogue with the US on all key questions of settling the Syrian crisis. The deteriorating situation in Aleppo was the focus of Lavrov’s telephone call with US Secretary of State Kerry on September 30, 2016. “Let’s sit down, let’s have the map, and let the American and Russian officers exchange information and clearly indicate on that map where Nusra is. Then everything can start because we don’t want to be cheated again and again”, said the Foreign Minister in the BBC interview.
The full text of the interview is available at the web-link: www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news.
Yours faithfully,
Aleksei Illiuviev
Press-Attache
Russian Embassy