The violence is notching up in Syria in what might be a complete failure of government of the Assad regime.
According to RIA Novosti, it would appear Russia is serious about filling in the power vacuum in Syria.
MOSCOW, June 16 (RIA Novosti)
The U.N. observers in Syria suspended on Saturday their mission (click here) “until further notice” because of the intensifying violence, Al Jazeera reported, citing the statement by General Robert Mood, the head of the UN Stabilization Mission in Syria.
"There has been an intensification of armed violence across Syria over the past 10 days," Mood said in the statement, adding that the current situation in the country was “posing significant risks to the observers.”
A group of almost 300 UN military observers and 112 civilian staff were sent to Syria in late April to monitor the implementation of the six-point peace plan brokered by the UN and Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan.
"The lack of willingness by the parties to seek a peaceful transition, and the push towards advancing military positions is increasing the losses on both sides: innocent civilians, men women and children are being killed every day,” Al Jazeera cited Mood’s statement....
It was Russia that stopped the killing in 2008 in South Ossetia. It was Russian peacekeepers standing on the border that first realized the attacks into the region by Georgia. It is Russia today standing with South Ossetia and Abkhazia to prevent further aggression against this area.
The West often demonizes Russia as if it was losing its sovereignty with every movement of Russia authority in any region of the world, but, people are alive today in South Ossetia and Abkhazia when the West wasn't prepared to act at all. George W. Bush was still in office at that time and Condi Rice was Secretary of State. She is suppose to be an expert on Russia. Hm. The West failed those people with over a thousand people dead. Today, they are alive and attempting to support their own culture and hold their boundaries. I don't blame them. And it didn't take the USA occupation of a decade to achieve it.
June 15, 2012
The head of the U.N. observer force in Syria (click here) has accused both rebels and government troops of stoking violence in the country, a charge that comes as Russia hardens its position against Western pressure to topple embattled President Bashar al-Assad....
The circumstances in Syria are not very different than when Georgia turned their guns on the people of South Ossetia. There are people dying and unable to arm themselves against the tanks and weaponry of others, no matter whom the others are.
...Russia denies post-Assad planning
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied his government is discussing plans for a political transformation in Syria. He said Russia does "not get involved in overthrowing regimes - neither through approval of unilateral actions by the U.N. Security Council nor by participation in any political plots."
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland suggested Thursday Washington and Moscow were discussing a post-Assad strategy for Syria.
In an interview on French radio, France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said discussions among U.S., French and Russian officials -- along with international mediator Kofi Annan -- are underway to prepare for a Syria without its current leader.
Russia, along with China, has vetoed two U.N. Security Council resolutions against Assad and has vowed to oppose any military intervention....
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied his government is discussing plans for a political transformation in Syria. He said Russia does "not get involved in overthrowing regimes - neither through approval of unilateral actions by the U.N. Security Council nor by participation in any political plots."
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland suggested Thursday Washington and Moscow were discussing a post-Assad strategy for Syria.
In an interview on French radio, France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said discussions among U.S., French and Russian officials -- along with international mediator Kofi Annan -- are underway to prepare for a Syria without its current leader.
Russia, along with China, has vetoed two U.N. Security Council resolutions against Assad and has vowed to oppose any military intervention....
Russia has the ability to end this even if it means having Russia troops on the ground. I would imagine in a short period of time the Russians will stabilize the situation, the killing of innocent people will stop, there won't be anymore death squads and the UN with peacekeepers and observers might even return.
For decades, Assad has terrorized the region and always pointed to Lebanon as the problem. We know different today. The killing has to end and the global community has tried everything else without success. All parties killing each other according to the reports of the UN Observers as they exit the country are having a field day.
If Russia can be successful and I've never known Russia to be unsuccessful in ending internal struggles in a country, then it will be better than what is occurring today. I suggest the global community realize the choices in regard to Syria are very limited and it is time for a concentrated effort to begin. I don't see why Russian generals should not be in charge of Russian troops or Russian intelligence. I hope all goes well and there will be a ceasefire soon that will hold.
