Russian
Drafted UNSC
Statement on
Aleppo Agreed
After 2
Extensions
By
Matthew
Russell Lee
UNITED
NATIONS,
October 5,
original 11:50
am, update
12:06 pm --
After agreeing
to the UN
Security
Council's
press
statement
Thursday on
Akcakale in
Turkey,
Russian
Permanent
Representative
Vitaly Churkin
told the press
that his draft
statement on
the terrorist
attack in
Aleppo was
"under
silence" until
10 a.m. on
Friday.
This meant if
no member
broke or
extended
silence, it
would be
adopted.
But at 10
a.m., there
was no UN
Television
camera at the
Security
Council
stakeout.
Inner City
Press has
learned that
silence was,
in face,
"extended
twice." But
then it was
agreed, to be
read out at
noon:
Security
Council
Press
Statement on
terrorist attacks
in
Aleppo
The
members
of the
Security
Council condemned
in
the strongest
terms the
terrorist
attacks in
Aleppo,
Syria
on 3 October,
causing dozens
of deaths and
over one
hundred
civilians
injured,
responsibility
for which was
claimed by the
Jebhat
al-Nusra group
affiliated
with Al-Qaeda.
They expressed
their deep
sympathy and
sincere
condolences to
the families
of the victims
of these
heinous
acts and to
the people of
Syria.
The
members of the
Security
Council
reaffirmed
that terrorism
in all its
forms and
manifestations
constitutes
one of the
most serious
threats
to
international
peace and
security, and
that any acts
of terrorism
are criminal
and
unjustifiable,
regardless of
their
motivation,
wherever,
whenever and
by whomsoever
committed.
The
members of the
Security
Council
reiterated
their
determination
to
combat all
forms of
terrorism, in
accordance
with its
responsibilities
under the
Charter of the
United
Nations.
The
members of the
Security
Council
reminded
States that
they must
ensure
that measures
taken to
combat
terrorism
comply with
all their
obligations
under
international
law, in
particular
international
human rights,
refugee and
humanitarian
law.
Yesterday we
asked, what changed
in the 22
hours
between the
silence
procedure
being broken
by Russia and
the
statement's
read-out by
Council
President Gert
Rosenthal on
Thursday
evening? A
reference to
"international
peace and
security" was
removed, and
nine words
added: "The
members of the
Security
Council called
for
restraint.".And
we'll ask
about this
one. Watch
this site.
Update
of 12:06 pm -
Inner City
Press asked
UNSC President
Rosenthal if
silence was
extended --
yes, one or
two
governments,
he said, but
no changes to
text.
It
seems that the
claim of
credit by an
Al Qaeda
affiliate
militated for
agreement on
the statement
- not
necessary the
nature of the
act itself....
, 
