UNSC unanimously adopts French-proposed resolution against ISIL

File photo: United Nations Security Council in session  [photo: UN.org]

According to the UN News Centre, dated 20NOV15:

The United Nations Security Council this evening called on all countries that can do so to take the war on terrorism to Islamic State-controlled territory in Syria and Iraq and destroy its safe haven, warning that the group intends to mount further terror attacks like those that devastated Paris and Beirut last week.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body declared the group’s terrorist attacks abroad “a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security” following the “horrifying terrorist attacks” it perpetrated recently in Sousse (Tunisia), Ankara (Turkey), over Sinai (Egypt) with the downing of a Russian plane, and in Beirut and Paris.

It warned that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), or Da’esh as it is also known, “has the capability and intention to carry out” further strikes and called upon “Member States that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures, in compliance with international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law” on its territory.

Condemning “in the strongest terms” ISIL and other terrorist groups in the region such Al-Nusrah Front, the Council Member States “to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria.”

It called on Member States to intensify efforts to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters to Iraq and Syria and to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, and reaffirmed that those responsible for terrorist acts, violations of international humanitarian law or violations or abuses of human rights must be held accountable.

COMMENTARY: The full text of the resolution hadn't been uploaded by the UN at the time of this posting but it appears the the government of the Syrian Arab Republic was not condemned in the resolution, which is significant. According to Russia Today, dated 20NOV15:

Syria’s UN Ambassador, Bashar Ja’afari, hinted prior to Friday’s vote that this resolution was long overdue. “Welcome to everybody who finally woke up and joined the club of combating terrorists.”

Meanwhile, Russia is continuing its work on a draft resolution proposing international military campaigns to fight against Islamic State. The current text is an updated version of a document submitted on September 30.

Previously on 19NOV15 the UNGA human rights committee Thursday adopted a Saudi-proposed resolution condemning certain foreign interventions in Syria

According to Reuters, dated 19NOV15:

The U.N. General Assembly’s human rights committee Thursday adopted a Saudi-drafted resolution condemning Iranian and Russian intervention in Syria, a decision that the Syrian and Iranian delegations rejected as unhelpful and unjustified. The nonbinding resolution, authored by Saudi Arabia and sponsored by Qatar and other Arab nations, the United States and other Western powers, passed by the 193-nation assembly’s third committee.

There were 115 votes in favor, 15 against and 51 abstentions.

Without explicitly naming Russia, it said the General Assembly “strongly condemns all attacks against the Syrian moderate opposition and calls for their immediate cessation, given that such attacks benefit so-called ISIS and other terrorist groups, such as Al-Nusra Front.”

The resolution’s language is clearly aimed at Russia, which has been bombing opposition forces in Syria for two months. Moscow says it is attacking ISIS but Western officials say they have targeted other rebel forces and Western-backed groups.

The resolution also condemned the presence in Syria of “all foreign terrorist fighters ... and foreign forces fighting on behalf of the Syrian regime, particularly the Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [of Iran] and other groups such as Hezbollah.”

[…]

The resolution demands foreign militias leave Syria immediately.

It also blasts ISIS and other Islamist militant groups for rights abuses and atrocities.

But most of the criticism in the resolution is aimed at the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, whom Western and many Arab nations would like to see ousted.

COMMENTARY: Predictably, the Syrians and Iranians rejected the resolution. The Iranian response was put forward by Iran’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gholam Hossein Dehqani. According to PressTV, dated 20NOV15:

Dehqani warned of the “adverse consequences” of the resolution on the UN reputation and said Iranian military forces are present in Syria upon an official request by the Syrian government to provide consultations to the war-hit country.

“Therefore, the adoption of such a text is a violation of international regulations and a breach of governments’ right to establish peace in their own territory,” the Iranian envoy pointed out.

He said such claims are aimed at taking revenge against forces that have so far played the most effective role in the battle against terrorism and extremism, adding that Daesh terrorists would have overran more areas in the Middle East in the absence of such forces.

The Iranian diplomat once again reiterated that the resolution would act as an award for extremists and terrorists as well as all those who use financial and logistical resources to spread extremist and terrorist ideologies.

The Syrian response was put forward by Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari. According to Reuters, dated 19NOV15:

Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari rejected the resolution and accused its Saudi authors of hypocrisy about what he said are widespread human rights in the kingdom. He referred to "decapitation and flogging in public squares," saying they were like abuses of Islamic State.

He accused the Saudis, along with Qatar and Turkey, of supporting what he said were terrorists in Syria.

The delegates of Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia rejected the charges.

U.S. Willing to Work with Russia and Iran to Resolve Syrian Conflict - Obama

UN General Assembly opened today with a focus on the Syrian conflict. President Obama said the U.S. is willing to work with any nation – including Russia and Iran, to resolve the conflict in Syria. Obama added that the pre-war scenario in which Assad remains in power could not be part of the solution, emphasizing that we should not support “tyrants like Bashar al-Assad, who drops barrel bombs on innocent children, because the alternative is surely worse.” But Obama used the language of a compromise in describing leadership change in Syrian as a “managed transition” away from Assad.

“The United States is prepared to work with any nation, including Russia and Iran, to resolve the conflict. But we must recognize that there cannot be, after so much bloodshed, so much carnage, a return to pre-war status quo,” Obama told heads of states and governments and other officials present at the UNGA.

“Yes, realism dictates that compromise will be required to end the fighting and ultimately stamp out ISIL. But realism also requires a managed transition away from Assad and to a new leader, and an inclusive government that recognizes there must be an end to this chaos so that the Syrian people can begin to rebuild,” Obama said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spoke at UNGA shortly after Obama, said no one but Assad and his armed forces are truly fighting the Islamic State. He did not elaborate on the assertion, especially given the fact that Assad and his military have rarely engaged against ISIL and instead have on opposition forces and other anti-regime groups.

Putin shared his concern that fighters recruited by ISIL, presumably Chechens and other Russians, may one day return home to Russia. Putin said, “We cannot allow these criminals who tasted blood to return home.” Putin called for a grand coalition of nations to fight ISIL.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who spoke after Obama and Putin, did not mention Assad by name. But he also called for a global coalition against terrorists, and proposed a “biding international document” against terrorism.

Rouhani’s remarks on the problems plaguing the region focused instead against the United States and its support for an “inhumane” Israel, saying current conflicts in the region are ultimately the product of American policy.

“If we did not have the U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq… today the terrorists would not have an excuse or justification for their crimes,” Rouhani said.

It’s worthy to note that the Islamic Republic actively supported the U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan after 9/11. It was not clear if Rouhani’s reference now to that war is a change in the official Iranian position.

Photo credit: Presidents Obama and Putin at the UN luncheon after their speeches to the General Assebly; Monday 28 September 2015 (Twitter)

Ten Countries Voted with Russia on Crimea

The UN General Assembly on Thursday approved a resolution affirming Ukraine's territorial integrity and calling Russia’s annexation of Crimea illegal.

Ten countries voted alongside Russia opposing the resolution. Russia’s supporters from A to Z:

Armenia
Belarus
Bolivia
Cuba
North Korea
Nicaragua
Sudan
Syria
Venezuela
Zimbabwe

Notable among countries that did not oppose the resolution were Iran and the Central Asian republics, including Kazakhstan.

The resolution passed by a vote of 100-11, with 58 abstaining.

Zarif: Supreme Leader Regards Rouhani-Obama Phone Call and Long Meeting with Kerry as ‘Missteps’

Iran’s influential hard-right daily Kayhan reported today that Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has accepted responsibility for missteps during the visit of the Iranian delegation to the UN General Assembly. The first-page article carries huge banner declaring, “Zarif: Rouhani's Telephone Conversation with Obama and My Long Meeting with Kerry Were Missteps.” 

Following is the English translation of key paragraphs of Kayhan’s article, which appeared on the front and the third pages of today’s edition of the paper.

“In Sunday’s meeting of the national security and foreign policy committee of the Majlis, which had been called to examine the talks (with Obama and Kerry) and other actions by the Iranian delegation during the New York visit, the committee chairman asked Dr Zarif about actions that the Supreme Leader had characterized as missteps.

“(Dr. Zarif) had responded in quite an honest manner that: ‘We (Zarif and Rouhani) thought that the talks (with Kerry) and the phone call (with Obama) were within the authority given to us, but it is our understanding that Hazrat Agha (Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei) has criticized us for Dr. Rouhani’s phone conversation with Obama, he regards that as the first misstep, and my long meeting with John Kerry, and he regards it as the other misstep during out trip.’” (Kayhan, 8 October)

Photo: The first page of Tuesday’s edition of Kayhan. The huge banner reads: “Zarif: Rouhani Telephone Conversation with Obama and My Long Meeting with Kerry Were Missteps.” 

Netanyahu: No Partial Deal with Iran

‘Iran Needs to Fully Dismantles its Nuclear Weapons Program’

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu devoted his speech to Iran and Iranian nuclear issue. Following are some key passages. 

“Today our hope for the future is challenged by a nuclear-armed Iran that seeks our destruction. But I want you to know, that wasn't always the case. Some 2,500 years ago the great Persian king Cyrus ended the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people.

“President Rouhani, like the presidents who came before him, is a loyal servant of the regime. He was one of only six candidates the regime permitted to run for office. See, nearly 700 other candidates were rejected.

“Rouhani headed Iran's Supreme National Security Council from 1989 through 2003. During that time Iran's henchmen gunned down opposition leaders in a Berlin restaurant. They murdered 85 people at the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. They killed 19 American soldiers by blowing up the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia.

“Rouhani doesn't sound like Ahmadinejad. But when it comes to Iran's nuclear weapons program, the only difference between them is this: Ahmadinejad was a wolf in wolf's clothing. Rouhani is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a wolf who thinks he can pull the eyes -- the wool over the eyes of the international community.

“Why would a country intent on merely civilian nuclear programs continue to defy multiple Security Council resolutions and incur the tremendous cost of crippling sanctions on its economy?

“And why would a country with a peaceful nuclear program develop intercontinental ballistic missiles, whose sole purpose is to deliver nuclear warheads? You don't build ICBMs to carry TNT thousands of miles away; you build them for one purpose, to carry nuclear warheads.

“Ladies and gentlemen, underground nuclear facilities, heavy water reactors, advanced centrifuges, ICMBs. See, it's not that it's hard to find evidence that Iran has a nuclear program, a nuclear weapons program; it's hard to find evidence that Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapons program.

“Last year when I spoke here at the U.N. I drew a red line. Now, Iran has been very careful not to cross that line but Iran is positioning itself to race across that line in the future at a time of its choosing.

“Israel will not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons. If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.

(To Iran): “First, cease all uranium enrichment. This is called for by several Security Council resolutions. Second, remove from Iran's territory the stockpiles of enriched uranium. Third, dismantle the infrastructure for nuclear breakout capability, including the underground facility at Qom and the advanced centrifuges in Natanz. And, four, stop all work at the heavy water reactor in Arak aimed at the production of plutonium.

(To international community): “First, keep up the sanctions. If Iran advances its nuclear weapons program during negotiations, strengthen the sanctions.

Second, don't agree to a partial deal. A partial deal would lift international sanctions that have taken years to put in place in exchange for cosmetic concessions that will take only weeks for Iran to reverse.

Third, lift the sanctions only when Iran fully dismantles its nuclear weapons program. My friends, the international community has Iran on the ropes. If you want to knock out Iran's nuclear weapons program peacefully, don't let up the pressure. Keep it up.”

To read Netanyahu’s full remarks, published by Israeli Embassy in Washington, please click here.

File photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing UN General Assembly. New York, 1 October 201 (Haaretz)

Team Rouhani in New York

Photos from top to bottom:

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during walk alongside East River. 24 September 2013 (IRNA/Twitter)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani with Charlie Rose. The interview will be broadcast on PBS on Wednesday 25 September at 11pm EST. (PBS/Twitter)

Rouhani with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. 24 September 2013 (@GermanDiplo / German Foreign Office)

Rouhani with IMF Managing Director Christin Lagarde. 24 September 2013 (IRNA/Twitter)

Obama, Rouhani Meeting ‘Too Complicated’ For Iran

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and U.S. President Barrack Obama won’t have a historic meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, two senior Obama administration officials told ABC News today.

A meeting proved “too complicated for Iranians to do at this point,” said the officials. (ABC News, 24 September)

The officials did not explain what the complications were, but many Iran experts believe that powerful conservative and fundamentalist forces inside Iran were against any encounter with the U.S. president. This blogger believes the new Iranian president missed a golden opportunity to radically alter the atmospherics of relationships with the U.S. and indeed the West, as he had preached so many times in recent days.



Still, the Obama administration signaled today that it wants to move forward with a new round of diplomacy with Iran, affirming a meeting Thursday in New York between Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Earlier today, Rouhani was a no-show at a U.N. luncheon for world leaders when he would have shared the room with Obama. Iranian state media said Rouhani skipped the event because alcohol was being served.  He later met one-on-one with French President Francois Hollande. (ABC News, 24 September)


Photo credit: AFP