Russia Rebukes Assad for Speaking Out on New Term
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Russia on Thursday issued a rare criticism of its ally Syrian President Bashar Assad, saying statements that he wanted to run in presidential elections in 2014 risked harming the atmosphere ahead of peace talks.
"Exchanging such rhetorical statements just makes the atmosphere heavier and does not make the situation calmer," Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told the Interfax news agency in an interview.
Bogdanov said Assad and all parties in Syria should steer clear of stoking tensions ahead of peace talks planned to take place in Switzerland in January aimed at ending the conflict.
"We believe that ahead of the peace talks there should be no statements which someone may not like and can cause emotions and a reaction in response," he added.
It was not immediately clear to which recent statement by Assad he was referring. But the Syrian regime has repeatedly said that Assad would run in the 2014 polls.
Information Minister Omran al-Zohbi said this month that Assad will remain president and lead any transition agreed in the peace talks.
Assad himself said in a television interview in October: "I don't see any reason why I shouldn't run in the next election."
19 December 2013, 10:08
01
Assad should heed what Russia has to say for two reasons. Assad can not afford to offend Russia for obvious reasons. And Assad has a much better chance of survival if he lowers his rhetoric allowing international and opposition face saving.
19 December 2013, 11:06
01
Indeed Russia did warn Assad ... Keep your mouth shut while you are winning to give political cover to the US\EU position change that will allow you to stay in power ...
We know the entire UN Security Council (US, UK, France, China and Russia)wants a Syria free of Nusra and Qaeda as they are all afraid of the "blowback" of such an outcome.
Russia has the Caucasus problem, China the Uighur problem and have already seen partial blowback. It won't be long before the US and the EU see terrorism at home and at embassies around the world.
Russia is telling Assad not to rub defeat in the faces of the P5 or prolong an already catastrophic war that Russia is helping to subsidize for Assad. The US\EU are already pushing back in the Ukraine.
19 December 2013, 11:06
01
Indeed Russia did warn Assad ... Keep your mouth shut while you are winning to give political cover to the US\EU position change that will allow you to stay in power ...
We know the entire UN Security Council (US, UK, France, China and Russia)wants a Syria free of Nusra and Qaeda as they are all afraid of the "blowback" of such an outcome.
Russia has the Caucasus problem, China the Uighur problem and have already seen partial blowback. It won't be long before the US and the EU see terrorism at home and at embassies around the world.
Russia is telling Assad not to rub defeat in the faces of the P5 or prolong an already catastrophic war that Russia is helping to subsidize for Assad. The US\EU are already pushing back in the Ukraine.
