New Syria initiative fails to impress Russia

Here is some food for thought. Not only does the west support the rebels, but so does Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al Qaida’s top man. Does it give some clues as to who will benefit in the end?

The stupidity of the west is simply mindboggling.

"However, a senior Russian diplomat has described it as “the same unbalanced…text”.

What's changed is not the text, but the venue - this time, it will be presented to the General Assembly (where Russia does not have a veto).

"However, a senior Russian diplomat has described it as “the same unbalanced…text”.

What's changed is not the text, but the venue - this time, it will be presented to the General Assembly (where Russia does not have a veto).
(Amer, 12 February 2012 15:20)


It matters little what they present in the UN general assembly – they have presented dozens of texts over the years eg on Palaestine, but its the UNSC that authorises action and with China and Russia saying no the west will have to arm the insurgents and them pay the consequences.

The west can kiss collectively Russia’s and China’s behinds as nothing will happen.

The General Assembly passed resolutions calling on Milosevic to stop mistreating the citizens of Kosovo for years, and nothing happened, since the GA does not have the powers of the SC. On the other hand, it will be interesting to discover how much support Russia and China are able to drum up for their position, against the Arabs and the West. North Korea, Venezuela, Serbia, Iran ... there are still some out there.

The General Assembly passed resolutions calling on Milosevic to stop mistreating the citizens of Kosovo for years, and nothing happened, since the GA does not have the powers of the SC. On the other hand, it will be interesting to discover how much support Russia and China are able to drum up for their position, against the Arabs and the West. North Korea, Venezuela, Serbia, Iran ... there are still some out there.
(Amer, 13 February 2012 06:19)

If there is one thing I have found out over the many years of keeping tabs on these events is that the big boys don’t give a rats arse about the rest. They do as they please. The General Assembly is a meaningless gathering of nations that feel like they are contributing to something – it’s a feel good assembly.
If they could do anything they would have resolved the Israeli Palestinian issue decades ago.
The Russians and Chinese don’t have to muster any support at all. They can allow the US and their allies to huff and puff all they like. Syria is not going down the path of Libya.
I can’t get over the fact that the head of Al Qaida also supports the rebels. So who do you think will benefit from any changes of government? It sure isn’t the west. Just look at Libya, a former stable country turning into a first class basket case with Islamists in charge.

Agreed, votes by the GA do not solve anything, immediately. Under the "Uniting for Peace Resolution," however, a 2/3 vote by the GA can overrule a blocked Security Council. There hasn't been any talk of asking for such a vote yet, but the possibility is there. (Now you see why Kosovo treasures each and every new recognition. They are awaiting confirmation of recognition by Sao Tome and Principe - no. 88 - as we write.)
(Amer, 13 February 2012 16:32)

In a body as large as the UN general assembly to get 2/3 majority is an impossible ask; its like trying to herd rabbits – yes its possible if all UNSC members were on side. Its the UNSC that matters as it holds all the cards. It can obstruct any resolutions passed in the Assembly and even if an issue gets passed it can block it using other methods. The UN general Assembly is not a very useful tool much like performing kidney operation via the mouth.

These small and very corrupt countries that are recognising Kosovo are just that small and insignificant. Its the powerhouses that you have to get – China India Russia Brazil Indonesia etc. They are the important ones not this lot in Washington as they are very busy destroying themselves.

On the issue of Kosovo it can be recognised by the entire UN but its Serbia’s recognition it needs otherwise it’s dead in the water. Its only a matter of time before the Russians squeeze the US out of Europe – look at the current freeze, Gasprom is having difficulties with delivering gas and some parts are having to rely on reserves to bolster existing supplies. Now can you imagine what happens when the South Stream comes on lines in 2014? Moscow will have the EU locked up to its liking.

Look at Hilary Clinton asking the Bulgarians to reject South stream – it got absolutely nowhere.

"Agreed, votes by the GA do not solve anything, immediately. Under the "Uniting for Peace Resolution," however, a 2/3 vote by the GA can overrule a blocked Security Council. There hasn't been any talk of asking for such a vote yet, but the possibility is there. (Now you see why Kosovo treasures each and every new recognition. They are awaiting confirmation of recognition by Sao Tome and Principe - no. 88 - as we write.)
(Amer, 13 February 2012 16:32)"

Well, I hate to disappoint you but I don't think this resolution applies to UN membership. It is meant for international peace and security. Can you show us the specific provision(s) in this resolution that is meant for UN membership?

@sj, 13 February 2012 12:50

Agreed, votes by the GA do not solve anything, immediately. Under the "Uniting for Peace Resolution," however, a 2/3 vote by the GA can overrule a blocked Security Council. There hasn't been any talk of asking for such a vote yet, but the possibility is there. (Now you see why Kosovo treasures each and every new recognition. They are awaiting confirmation of recognition by Sao Tome and Principe - no. 88 - as we write.)

Here is some food for thought. Not only does the west support the rebels, but so does Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al Qaida’s top man. Does it give some clues as to who will benefit in the end?

The stupidity of the west is simply mindboggling.

"However, a senior Russian diplomat has described it as “the same unbalanced…text”.

What's changed is not the text, but the venue - this time, it will be presented to the General Assembly (where Russia does not have a veto).

@sj, 13 February 2012 12:50

Agreed, votes by the GA do not solve anything, immediately. Under the "Uniting for Peace Resolution," however, a 2/3 vote by the GA can overrule a blocked Security Council. There hasn't been any talk of asking for such a vote yet, but the possibility is there. (Now you see why Kosovo treasures each and every new recognition. They are awaiting confirmation of recognition by Sao Tome and Principe - no. 88 - as we write.)

The General Assembly passed resolutions calling on Milosevic to stop mistreating the citizens of Kosovo for years, and nothing happened, since the GA does not have the powers of the SC. On the other hand, it will be interesting to discover how much support Russia and China are able to drum up for their position, against the Arabs and the West. North Korea, Venezuela, Serbia, Iran ... there are still some out there.

"However, a senior Russian diplomat has described it as “the same unbalanced…text”.

What's changed is not the text, but the venue - this time, it will be presented to the General Assembly (where Russia does not have a veto).
(Amer, 12 February 2012 15:20)


It matters little what they present in the UN general assembly – they have presented dozens of texts over the years eg on Palaestine, but its the UNSC that authorises action and with China and Russia saying no the west will have to arm the insurgents and them pay the consequences.

The west can kiss collectively Russia’s and China’s behinds as nothing will happen.

The General Assembly passed resolutions calling on Milosevic to stop mistreating the citizens of Kosovo for years, and nothing happened, since the GA does not have the powers of the SC. On the other hand, it will be interesting to discover how much support Russia and China are able to drum up for their position, against the Arabs and the West. North Korea, Venezuela, Serbia, Iran ... there are still some out there.
(Amer, 13 February 2012 06:19)

If there is one thing I have found out over the many years of keeping tabs on these events is that the big boys don’t give a rats arse about the rest. They do as they please. The General Assembly is a meaningless gathering of nations that feel like they are contributing to something – it’s a feel good assembly.
If they could do anything they would have resolved the Israeli Palestinian issue decades ago.
The Russians and Chinese don’t have to muster any support at all. They can allow the US and their allies to huff and puff all they like. Syria is not going down the path of Libya.
I can’t get over the fact that the head of Al Qaida also supports the rebels. So who do you think will benefit from any changes of government? It sure isn’t the west. Just look at Libya, a former stable country turning into a first class basket case with Islamists in charge.

Agreed, votes by the GA do not solve anything, immediately. Under the "Uniting for Peace Resolution," however, a 2/3 vote by the GA can overrule a blocked Security Council. There hasn't been any talk of asking for such a vote yet, but the possibility is there. (Now you see why Kosovo treasures each and every new recognition. They are awaiting confirmation of recognition by Sao Tome and Principe - no. 88 - as we write.)
(Amer, 13 February 2012 16:32)

In a body as large as the UN general assembly to get 2/3 majority is an impossible ask; its like trying to herd rabbits – yes its possible if all UNSC members were on side. Its the UNSC that matters as it holds all the cards. It can obstruct any resolutions passed in the Assembly and even if an issue gets passed it can block it using other methods. The UN general Assembly is not a very useful tool much like performing kidney operation via the mouth.

These small and very corrupt countries that are recognising Kosovo are just that small and insignificant. Its the powerhouses that you have to get – China India Russia Brazil Indonesia etc. They are the important ones not this lot in Washington as they are very busy destroying themselves.

On the issue of Kosovo it can be recognised by the entire UN but its Serbia’s recognition it needs otherwise it’s dead in the water. Its only a matter of time before the Russians squeeze the US out of Europe – look at the current freeze, Gasprom is having difficulties with delivering gas and some parts are having to rely on reserves to bolster existing supplies. Now can you imagine what happens when the South Stream comes on lines in 2014? Moscow will have the EU locked up to its liking.

Look at Hilary Clinton asking the Bulgarians to reject South stream – it got absolutely nowhere.

"Agreed, votes by the GA do not solve anything, immediately. Under the "Uniting for Peace Resolution," however, a 2/3 vote by the GA can overrule a blocked Security Council. There hasn't been any talk of asking for such a vote yet, but the possibility is there. (Now you see why Kosovo treasures each and every new recognition. They are awaiting confirmation of recognition by Sao Tome and Principe - no. 88 - as we write.)
(Amer, 13 February 2012 16:32)"

Well, I hate to disappoint you but I don't think this resolution applies to UN membership. It is meant for international peace and security. Can you show us the specific provision(s) in this resolution that is meant for UN membership?