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Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
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Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
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27Sep16
Russian Foreign Ministry publishes part of agreement with US on Syria
Russia is urging the United States to agree to the publication of the entire package of agreements on Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Several days ago, after leaks to Western mass media the US Department of State published on its website selected documents without taking the trouble of coordinating with us the date of the publication," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary. "For our part we publish the texts of the corresponding agreements in Russian."
Moscow is urging Washington to agree to present to the public at large the whole package, as well as the mandate of the Joint Information Center, where Russian and US specialists should determine together the targets and to coordinate sorties and addendum two to the document of September 9 which sets a mechanism of monitoring the road leading to Aleppo from the south.
Russia, US free to withdraw from deal if it is not fulfilled
The text of the agreement says "Russia, the US reserve right to quit agreement on Syria if they see it fails to be complied with."
"Each Side reserves the right to withdraw from this arrangement if they believe the terms have not been fulfilled," as follows from the deal.
Any Syrians can leave Aleppo via Castello Road
Any Syrians, including armed opposition forces with weapons, can leave Aleppo via Castello Road, according to the deal.
Pro-government forces and opposition units will pull back simultaneously from Castello Road, and the vacated area will be considered a "demilitarized zone," the document says.
"Any Syrians can leave Aleppo via Castello Road, including armed opposition forces with their weapons, with the understanding that no harm will come to them and they can choose their destination."
Use of force in self-defense
The Russia-U.S. deal provides for proportionate use of force (i.e. no greater than required to address an immediate threat) if and when responding in self-defense.
All attacks with any weapons, including aerial bombardments, rockets, mortars, and anti-tank guided missiles as well as the acquisition of territory from other parties are banned, as follows from the deal.
"On Day "D," all parties to the cessation of hostilities (CoH) in Syria will recommit to the CoH and honor its terms in full, as set forth in the February 22, 2016 Joint Declaration of the Russian Federation and the United States, for a 48 hour period," the document says.
"In particular, these terms include: ceasing all attacks with any weapons, including aerial bombardments, rockets, mortars, and anti-tank guided missiles; refraining from acquiring or seeking to acquire territory from other parties to the CoH; allowing humanitarian agencies rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained access throughout areas under their operational control and allowing immediate humanitarian assistance to reach all people in need; employing proportionate use of force (i.e. no greater than required to address an immediate threat) if and when responding in self-defense. The Sides will agree and inform all parties as to the date and time for "Day D," the document stressed.
Terrorists and opposition separation
The agreement stresses that the key priority in Syria is to separate terrorists controlled by Islamic State and Al-Nusra from moderate opposition.
"The Russian Federation and the United States intend to undertake joint efforts to stabilize the situation in Syria, with special measures for the Aleppo region. Delineation of territories controlled by ISIL, "Jabhat Al-Nusra," and moderate armed opposition forces remains a key priority, as does separating moderate opposition forces from Nusra," the document said.
Russia is waiting for the US to finally implement its promise and separate terrorists from opposition in Syria, according to the ministry.
"Apart from that, we expect the United States to ultimately implement its longstanding promise concerning separation as many militant groups Washington calls 'moderate' are fighting along with Jabhat al-Nusra and even have practically become one," the ministry said. "We would like to repeat it once again that flirting with terrorists and connivance at them have never done any good."
[Source: Itar Tass, Moscow, 27Sep16]
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 | This document has been published on 29Sep16 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. |