'Immediate' ceasefire essential after Qana: Russia (Russia condemns Israel's attack)

AFP ^ | July 31, 2006

[Tailgunner Joe]

MOSCOW: The deadly Israeli bombing of Qana in southern Lebanon was a "gross violation" of international norms that confirms the need for an immediate ceasefire, Russia's foreign ministry said on Monday.

The Qana bombing "clearly confirms the need to immediately end military activities, bloodletting and violence in Lebanon", foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said.

"We have repeatedly expressed our condemnation... of activities that make the civilian population suffer. Such 'mistakes' are a gross violation of fundamental norms of international humanitarian law," Kamynin added.

Israel has faced widespread condemnation since its bombing raid that killed at least 52 people, including 30 children, in a shelter in the southern Lebanese village of Qana on Sunday.

Israel on Monday announced it would suspend air strikes in Lebanon for 48 hours pending an investigation into the attack, with Arab and Muslim leaders branding the assault a "war crime".

However an army spokesman said that Israeli forces carried out an air strike on Monday in support of a ground operation near the southeastern Lebanese border village of Taibe.

In his statement, Kamynin said the Qana bombing contravened Geneva Conventions for the protection of war victims, particularly on the protection of civilians during war.

"The arguments and logic of those who delay a ceasefire under various pretexts should not be accepted, particularly since the international community is finding a consensus on the main parameters of a resolution," he added.

[From One - Many]

hey russia - STFU

[inkling]

::cough, cough:: CHECHNYA! ::cough, cough::

[Sax]

The Qana bombing and Hezbollah's deliberate deception in having children targeted for propaganda purposes, should solidify the necessity to have this operation continue in earnest.

"We have repeatedly expressed our condemnation... of activities that make the civilian population suffer.

If you really, honestly, felt that way, you'd support Israel's efforts to eradicate the perpetrators.

[OneRatToGo]

...and lobbing rockets and mortars across the border at civilians on a daily basis isn't something to be concerned about?

Someone tell this guy to shut up already!

[jeltz25]

Israel should go the Security Concil and display photos and video from Grozny for an hour straight

[Gordongekko909]

There's an idea: respond to Qana with a cease-fire. Give the Hezbos time to take out some Israeli kids. Love it.

< /sarc >

[infidel29]

Perhaps another Beslan would refresh Russia's memory about what terrorists are capable of doing.

[MarcusAurelious]

Did this Russian feller issue a similar proclamation against Hez/Hizbollah, and their actions against innocent civilians?
I'm thinking this feller needs to kiss my red, white, and blue arse.

[gaspar]

For ten years the Russians have been indiscrimately bombing population centers in Chechnya. However, the Russian does not allow their stinking coven of bibulous journalists (or their Western brethren) to cover their actions. Par for the course for Europe's oriental despotism.

[GSlob]

FTB. T stands for "the", or "them".

[MarcusAurelious]

A diplomat who speaks out of both sides of his mouth? Say it ain't so!

[American in Israel]

Oh, did the poor widdle Russian see his hard earned sock puppet proxy army in the big bad Israeli gunsight?

So sad, darn it I say!

[Question_Assumptions]

I think we should follow Russia's lead on Iran. We should give Israel until August 31st to stop attacking and if they don't stop, we'll let the UN Security Council ponder sanctions but we'll be sure to veto anything with teeth.

[GSlob]

Well, what else to expect from such great philanthropists and humanitarians?

[El Gato]

Ask the residents of Grozny about Russian bombing techniques.

[claudiustg]

The Russians moralizing. That's funny! Do they realize how moronic they sound?

[goldstategop]

Russia's razing of Grozny was just minding their own business, eh? Now if Israel had razed Qana the fallout might have been less since there would have been no bodies for Hezbollah to display. Just a thought.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[Thunder90]

Hey Russia...Er USSR or what you are calling yourself these days...

What was Chechnya??? Afghanistan????

You have no right to complain about Israel's responce to Hezbullah.


Premier Putin, STFU!!!

[af_vet_1981]

MOSCOW:

The Russian response to the deadly Chechen attack of the school in Beslan on Sept. 1, 2004 was a "gross violation" of international norms that confirms the need for an immediate ceasefire, Russia's foreign ministry said on Monday.