In case there is convincing evidence of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, it should be presented to the UN Security Council. There was no convincing evidence so far, the Russian President said. He gave an extensive interview to Channel One of the Russian television and the American Associated Press (AP) News Agency. When there is some evidence of the use of these weapons by any of the parties, then we will act, Vladimir Putin added.
“We don't defend this government (of President Assad). We defend completely different things: we defend the norms and principles of international law, we defend the modern world order, and we defend the discussion of the possibility of the use of force exclusively in the framework of the current international order, international rules and international law. That’s what we are defending. This has the absolute value. When issues associated with the use of force are solved outside the UN and the Security Council, then there is a fear that such wrong decisions may be taken against anyone and under any pretext”.
Even in the United States there are experts, who believe that the evidence presented by the administration is not convincing and does not exclude the possibility that the opposition carried out a pre-planned provocative action trying to give their patrons a reason for an armed intervention. The US has already announced its readiness to use force against Damascus. The White House is only waiting for an approval of the Congress, which, presumably, will be given next week.
At the same time, samples collected by the UN inspectors in Damascus on September 4 were transferred to specialists of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague. This is the most competent international authority for examining chemical warfare agents. The results of the analyses are to be ready no earlier than in three weeks. Only after that it will be possible to draw conclusions, the Russian President believes.
“If it is established that the means of mass destruction were used by the militants, what will the US do with these militants? What will these sponsors do with the militants? Will they stop weapons’ supplies? Will they start operations against them?”
During the interview with Vladimir Putin, the conversation turned to the recently canceled visit of US President Barack Obama to Moscow. The Russian President remarked that, of course, he would have liked to discuss many issues with his US counterpart. “We understand that there is a certain irritation among the American administration in connection with Russia’s position on certain issues. But we can't help it. I think that would be good actually not to get annoyed, but to have patience and work together in order to find solutions”.
Putin also said that he did not see any catastrophe in cancelling the meeting. Contacts between Washington and Moscow at the level of ministries and other agencies are being successfully continued. According to the Russian President, soon he and Obama would have an opportunity to discuss the most important issues on the sidelines of the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, which will take place later this week.