In light of the fact that the conflict in Syria was intentionally caused by Washington, can the Russian government trust that Washington will abide by this agreement?
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s address following
adoption of a joint statement by Russia and US
on Syria.
The President made a special address
following the adoption of a joint statement
by the Russian Federation and the United States
of America, as co-chairs of the International Syria
Support Group (ISSG), on the cessation of hostilities
in Syria.
February 22, 2016 – 21:50
President of Russia Vladimir Putin:
Friends,
I just had a telephone conversation with
President of the United States of America Barack Obama.
The phone call was initiated by the Russian side, but
the interest was certainly mutual.
During our conversation, we approved joint statements
of Russia and the US, as co-chairs of the ISSG,
on the cessation of hostilities in Syria. Adoption
of the statement was preceded by intensive work by Russian
and American experts. We also made use of the positive
experience we accumulated over the course of cooperation
in eliminating chemical weapons in Syria.
Our negotiators held several rounds of closed
consultations. As a result, we were able to reach
an important, specific result. It was agreed that the cessation
of hostilities in Syria commences at 00:00 (Damascus time)
on February 27, 2016 on terms and conditions that are
a part of the Russian-American statement.
The essence of these conditions is
as follows: by 12:00 pm on February 26, 2016, all parties warring
in Syria must indicate to the Russian Federation or our
American partners their commitment to the cessation
of hostilities. Russian and American troops will jointly delineate
the territories where these groups are active. No military action will be taken
against them by the Armed Forces of the Syrian Arab
Republic, Russian Armed Forces and the US-led coalition.
In turn, the opposition will cease all military action against
the Armed Forces of the Syrian Arab Republic and other
groups supporting them.
ISIS, Jabhat Al-Nursa, and other terrorist
organisations designated by the United Nations Security Council, are
excluded from the cessation of hostilities. Strikes against them will
continue.
It is fundamentally important that Russia
and the US, as co-chairs of the ISSG, are prepared
to launch effective mechanisms to promote and monitor compliance
with the ceasefire by both the Syrian Government
and the armed opposition groups.
To achieve this goal, we will establish
a communication hotline and, if necessary, a working group
to exchange relevant information. Russia will conduc the necessary
work with Damascus and the legitimate Syrian leadership. We expect
that the United States will do the same with regard to their
allies and the groups they support.
I am sure that the joint actions agreed upon
with the American side will be enough to radically reverse
the crisis situation in Syria. We are finally seeing a real
chance to bring an end to the long-standing bloodshed
and violence. As a result, humanitarian access to all
Syrian citizens in need should be made easier. Most important is
the creation of conditions for launching a long-term
political process through a broad inter-Syrian dialogue in Geneva,
under the auspices of the UN.
Unfortunately, recent history has many examples where
one-sided actions not sanctioned by the UN, which favour short-term
political or opportunistic interests, have led to dramatic results.
These examples are on everyone’s lips: Somalia, Iraq, Libya, Yemen.
Against this background, Russian-American agreements
on the cessation of hostilities in Syria, and their
joint implementation in coordination with all nations participating
in the International Syria Support Group, can become an example of responsible
actions the global community takes against the threat
of terrorism, which are based on international law and UN
principles.
Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and associate editor of the Wall Street Journal. He was columnist for Business Week, Scripps Howard News Service, and Creators Syndicate. He has had many university appointments. His internet columns have attracted a worldwide following. Roberts' latest books areThe Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution of the West
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