“We are out of words to express our outrage at the carnage, especially in Aleppo. The brutality is unrelenting,” a frustrated Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General lamented today.
He was expressing the world’s community’s sheer frustration at the rising deaths and destruction that today also drove the US to suspend the nearly year-long talks in Geneva with Russia.
The talks sought to secure a cessation of hostilities in Aleppo for at least seven days, join Russian and Americans hands in fighting the Islamic State and al Qaeda, and open pathways for an overall peace agreement.
Ban said the main reason for the continuing devastation of Syria was the “lack of political will of the parties”.
“I sincerely hope that people just get rid of these impractical ideas that a military solution will be making some solutions. There is no military solution – there is only a political solution.
“All must act for the thirteen and a half million Syrians who desperately need help … How long can they just continue to kill their people and destroy their countries? Who will be rebuilding this country?
“There is a transitional governing body which was agreed upon on June 30, 2012, with the facilitation of (former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan). I think that should be the backbone of the negotiations,” Ban added.
The humanitarian situation is also alarming in Yemen. “Four out of five Yemenis need assistance to survive — more than 21 million people.”
Referring to other wars in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere, he warned, “There are, of course, many fires still burning”.
“I think these are all because of the lack of commitment to peace by the leaders of the world, particularly leaders of parties to the conflict.”
Ban insisted on the vital importance of diplomacy in the early stages of conflicts to prevent them from turning into conflagrations.
“There have been so many heart-breaking moments, when I saw so many people suffering from unnecessary conflict, unnecessary death which can be prevented.
“Once something has broken out, it has its own dynamics to spread and it is very difficult. That is why I have been really emphasizing the importance of preventive diplomacy,” he explained.
He warned leaders not to address conflicts only in their own national interests. “This world is very small, tightly interconnected. One thing which is happening in other parts of the world can affect many countries across the oceans, across continents.
“Therefore, the leaders should base their policy decisions on the future-oriented and global common good.”
In its statement on the Syrian conflicts, the US State Department blamed Russia for the breakdown of talks in Geneva.
Referring to an agreement reached with Russia about a fortnight ago, it said: “Unfortunately, Russia failed to live up to its own commitments – including its obligations under international humanitarian law “
It was also either unwilling or unable to ensure Syrian regime adherence to the agreed arrangements.
In contrast, “The United States spared no effort in negotiating and attempting to implement an arrangement with Russia aimed at reducing violence, providing unhindered humanitarian access, and degrading terrorist organizations operating in Syria, including Daesh and al Qaeda in Syria.”
Significantly, the US will withdraw staff sent to Geneva to set up a special center to work jointly with the Russians to mount a new military offensive against al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter had criticized the plans for that “Joint Implementation Center” agreed to by Secretary John Kerry with the Russians.
They are being scrapped because a ceasefire agreed in the US-Russia talks did not hold for seven days. Russian warplanes immediately increased devastating bombardment of eastern Aleppo to support Syrian regime efforts to dislodge US-backed rebels from areas they have held for nearly five years.
But it will continue to utilize the channel of communications established with Russia to “de-conflict counterterrorism operations in Syria”. Their purpose is to prevent direct clashes between US and Russian forces.
The suspension of the US-Russia talks means that the transitional governing body for Syria agreed in 2012 will not see light of day any time soon.
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