UN demands co-operation from Syria in Hariri probe

CBC News ^ | Mon, 31 Oct 2005 13:22:45 EST | staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The UN Security Council approved a resolution Monday demanding Syria co-operate with a UN investigation into the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister, threatening further action against Damascus if it continues to stonewall.

Syrian border police keep watch.

• INDEPTH: Syria

The resolution was unanimously approved by the 15-member council after the threat of economic sanctions was dropped from a previous resolution, co-sponsored by the U.S., France and Britain.

Russia and China had objected to the initial text which called for the threat of economic sanctions unless Syria co-operated with an investigation into the bombing that killed Rafik Hariri and 20 others.

The two countries have veto powers and were against mentioning sanctions while the investigation into Hariri continues.

• FROM OCT. 25, 2005: UN draft resolution threatens Syria with sanctions in Hariri case

A new text says that if Syria doesn't co-operate "the council, if necessary, could consider further action."

The co-sponsors also agreed to drop an appeal to Syria to renounce all support for "all forms of terrorist action and all assistance to terrorist groups."

The resolution was adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which is militarily enforceable.

A UN report into the killing of Hariri implicated top Syrian and Lebanese security officials in the Feb. 14 bombing.

The report also accused Syria of not co-operating fully with the probe.

[rightinthemiddle]

Nee!

[Marine_Uncle]

"This is gonna take awhile.....the impatient ones have already commented....but Assad's Bankers are fleeing....and he has lost Lebanon....wonder how long he can hold out?"

Yep. Problem remains however. What form of government can be "somehow" put in place that could perhaps lead toward stability, as well as a transformation toward westernized democracy. The whole government, military, supporters are super corrupt. IMHO, it would be harder to do in Syria what we are attempting in Iraq. And with no large US/coalition footprint in Syria, it would be even harder, when the various factions and criminal groups etc., go beserk, so to speak.

In Iraq, the stage was set in many ways for a regime change, but I don't see anywhere the same scenario existing in Syria. No response required, just some thoughts.

[antiUNcitizen]

Did Kofi express his "dismay"?

I hope not, or it would sound a little too threatening, especially since its only resolution #1.

[blam]

"Getting serious now!"

I don't think so. They're still allowed to support people who kill and maim innocent civilians.

"The co-sponsors also agreed to drop an appeal to Syria to renounce all support for "all forms of terrorist action and all assistance to terrorist groups."

[DaBadGuy]

If that doesn't scare them, maybe another 13 resolutions will...............

[M. Espinola]

We will go through the motions with UN resolutions & sanctions like Saddam, except 100% faster.

Even though Bashar Assad is a medical doctor he would be wise to have his own staff of ER doctors on call, 24 hours a day, since soon, after he ignores & stalls all the UN's diplomatic efforts, he's going to require a lot of medical attention.

[ppaul]

SYRIA = Next stop for Operation Enduring Freedom

[Pride in the USA]

Here we go again . . . the UN is really flexing their mighty muscles (heavy sarcasm).

[b4its2late]

I'm sure Syria saw how fast and forceful the UN was with Iraq.... No worries until the US puts its' foot down.

[Just Lori]

But, if you give us a few million for a study.........wink wink

[Cinnamon]

anyone know what kind of weed they're smoking... I want that stuff too.... lmao

[bill1952]

The resolution was unanimously approved by the 15-member council after the threat of economic sanctions was dropped from a previous resolution

LOL!! Now thats got them shaking in their boots!

The words UN and demand don't belong in the same sentence together.
Its kind of like "Hand me that piano."

[mannie]

Do you know the syrians plan to do ?

They have no intentions of complying with the united nations resolutions.

Do you know why that is ?

It is because the usual suspects the russians and the chinese would only accept a worthless watered down resolution because they made idle threats that they planned to veto the proposal if it contained language that would have included economic sanctions and it would have required the bathist regime in syria to renounce covert and direct sponsorship of terrorism through financial support and sanctuary. The latter condition is particularly galling. You know it is only a matter of time until there is a all out war in the middle east. A long nasty ugly and messy war that lasts for years. I would make the prediction the major players will be Syria Iran and the insurgency movement in iraq vs. the united states britain and maybe even france and germany would get sucked in. It would be truly classified as a world war. The resolution was worded so weakly that it will be more likely that these events will come to pass.

[Irishguy]

SYRIA IS ON DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION!!!