Russians and Chinese getting more vocal
The International Contact group on Libya has agreed to give the rebels more money, with a temporary fund in place within weeks. Russia believes by making any decisions on the internal Libyan conflict, the Contact group is exceeding its authority.
Recently, the French Foreign Minister suggested Russia could become one of the members of the International Contact group on Libya.
The International Contact group that includes NATO members, the Arab league and a number of international organizations was created at the April summit in London to provide political guidance for all military and humanitarian assistance operations in Libya.
On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reacted by saying he believes the only body that should adopt and monitor resolutions on unfolding conflicts, such as the one in Libya, is the UN Security Council.
He added that the UN has not delegated these rights to any other international group, therefore the creation of such groups seems excessive to him.
“The Contact group has established itself. And now it’s trying to take responsibility on to itself about the policy of the international community towards Libya. And not only Libya, we’re hearing voices that are calling for this group to decide what to do in other states in the region,” said Lavrov.
“We believe that all sides should be focusing on the peaceful resolution of the situation. And not supporting one side in what is essentially a civil war,” he added.
These comments were made at a joint conference of the Russian Foreign Minister and the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister.
Traditionally, Russia and China co-ordinate their views on major international events. The most recent example of that was in March, when both countries abstained from the no-fly zone resolution vote over Libya.
What started as unrest in Libya has already claimed the lives of thousands of civilians.
Russia again raised its voice against the Western military intervention in Libya, saying that NATO has gone far beyond its UN mandate by sending guided bombs on Gaddafi’s compounds, and by considering a ground operation in Libya.
Even China, which had been very diplomatic on the Libyan issue so far, is becoming more and more vocal, saying the only two options that may be considered in this situation are a peace agreement and an immediate cease-fire.
Both Russia and China again stressed that a conflict between Gaddafi and the rebels is exclusively an internal matter for the Libyan people.
The International Contact group that includes NATO members, the Arab league and a number of international organizations was created at the April summit in London to provide political guidance for all military and humanitarian assistance operations in Libya.
On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reacted by saying he believes the only body that should adopt and monitor resolutions on unfolding conflicts, such as the one in Libya, is the UN Security Council.
He added that the UN has not delegated these rights to any other international group, therefore the creation of such groups seems excessive to him.
“The Contact group has established itself. And now it’s trying to take responsibility on to itself about the policy of the international community towards Libya. And not only Libya, we’re hearing voices that are calling for this group to decide what to do in other states in the region,” said Lavrov.
“We believe that all sides should be focusing on the peaceful resolution of the situation. And not supporting one side in what is essentially a civil war,” he added.
These comments were made at a joint conference of the Russian Foreign Minister and the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister.
Traditionally, Russia and China co-ordinate their views on major international events. The most recent example of that was in March, when both countries abstained from the no-fly zone resolution vote over Libya.
What started as unrest in Libya has already claimed the lives of thousands of civilians.
Russia again raised its voice against the Western military intervention in Libya, saying that NATO has gone far beyond its UN mandate by sending guided bombs on Gaddafi’s compounds, and by considering a ground operation in Libya.
Even China, which had been very diplomatic on the Libyan issue so far, is becoming more and more vocal, saying the only two options that may be considered in this situation are a peace agreement and an immediate cease-fire.
Both Russia and China again stressed that a conflict between Gaddafi and the rebels is exclusively an internal matter for the Libyan people.
RT: "Traditionally, Russia and China co-ordinate their views on major international events."
ReplyDeleteFirst time to see such a claim. I'm not quite ready to believe it.
What incandescent arrogance, Libya is in Africa and not the Middle East! Where do they find this ground breaking impunity to dictate for Africans what gives on African soil?
ReplyDeleteWhat bloody fool International Contact Group is this, that does not consist of African countries or the AU? It's as fraudulent as fraud is, and the world cannot be under any illusions any more as to what the real objectives are in this matter. What is happening in Libya is daylight robbery of the resources and commonwealth of a weak African nation.
We have witnessed the attempted assassination of a popular leader and the West's violent push for regime game on the soils of Africa. Manoeuvrings that have exposed the UN for what it truly is; another Western tool in the service of oppression and imperialism!
We have also seen Sarkozy's pathetic attempt at creating the Mediterranean Union without recourse to the AU, now we see the forced imposition of Arab leadership and decisions on African nations. North Africa is now being zoned to the Middle East that Wahhabism, that culture from the dark ages, may be used in suppressing the indomitable African spirit. These are ominous times for Africa and the world and all decent people need to stand up to this emerging evil.
Perhaps Russia and China should start sending humantarian aid to the other side of the conflict? You know wink, wink nudge, nudge to prevent civilian deaths at the hands of the Allied supported rebel insurgents. I think Russian and Chinese peacekeepers paid for in part by the US and other foreign funds being used to protect Libyan civilians would be appropriate. Let's really see what an election might bring when not at the bayonett point of UN resolution 1973 and its champions.
ReplyDeleteAre Western conspiracy theorists absolutely sure they can trust the Chinese and Russians in this matter? Not according to Saudi Sheikh, Salman al-Awda, they can't 'These are tools in the hands of Zionists, Israelis, Europeans and ORIENTALS, with the goal of damaging Islam.'
ReplyDeleteOrientals? Couldn't that be an oblique reference to the Chinese and the Siberian Ruskies?
Google: The Islamic Fantasy Zionist Jihad - Robert Spencer
Or visit www.jihadwatch.org/2011/01/spencer-the-islamic-fantasy-zionist-jihad.html
Atl.
I feel a early XIX century Russian Foreign Minister channeling thru me to Lavrov right now:
ReplyDeleteUse UN Resolution 1973 to justify anything you want to do, it is so open ended and vague it can be used to justify any activities in Libya even by the those who abstained.
I'll take no lectures from Western Sinophiles on China's alleged concern for the well-being of the African masses at the hands of exploitative 'Western Imperialists'.
ReplyDeletewww.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1063198/
Atl.
I suspect that the surprisingly extreme mildness on the part of China & Russia (and maybe AU, and ordinary Arabs, too) in the recent months - will be matched by a surprisingly strong response to a further overstep by the NATO coalition. For, these people realise they were somewhat fooled, they feel regret, and an increasing public humiliation in front of the whole world.
ReplyDeleteAs a result, some of the nonwestern leaders will try to "compensate." That'll be quite a nonsense - you can't "compensate" in these things - so some goofiness is likely.
Nobody with any experience of life should have been taken by surprise by the stance taken by Russia and China in this matter. It is nothing more than a cynical exploitation of the political own-goal committed by team NATO in pursuit of their own forein policy objectives.
ReplyDeleteAtl.
UNOFFICIAL INTERMEZZO
ReplyDeletewww.ocregister.com/articles/cartoons-299527-death-patriotic.html?pic=1
Atl.
@Egoigwe : "the world and all decent people need to stand up to this emerging evil."
ReplyDeleteit is war now.and perhaps global war.
and every thing began for "democraty".
sarkozy = bush (his psychological father)
it's an economical war. whith pressures on oil/gaz. and wilds bankers.
may be russia and china have not exactly the same wiews and needs than "west".
Highway to hell !
(in EU anti-democratic fascist ideas are gaining ground, less freedom for people, and profits for other)
Look at Alex Jones asking Americans to ring the White house. People power at work! Lets all call and jam their lines!
ReplyDeleteCAM
http://www.infowars.com/red-alert-help-stop-false-flag-terror.
Alex Jones calls in to warn about the potential for another false flag attack, urging listeners to activate, call the White House and try to stop the attack. Counter-terrorism expert Dr. Steve Pieczenik concurs with Alex’s outlook and urges the good men and women inside the system to say no to this shameful and dangerous tactic.
CONTACT THE WHITE HOUSE:
Comments line: (202) 456-1111
Switchboard: (202) 456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Yes, folks, let's all do that then give each other a congratulatory pat on the back for a serious job well done. Later we could all get together at the nut hut where they say they 'offer a feast of tasty treats perfect for any celebration'.
ReplyDeletehttp://thenuthut.co.uk
Atl.
Dr.P. has gotten so into his work that he is a false falg op himself in the InfoWars on Bin Laden. I can't wait to hear to hear his analysis of the Bin Laden home videos.
ReplyDeleteCAM maybe you should think about Dr. P. personal and professional history a little more?
Let's see a guy who has spent most of the last couple decades writing and consulting on fiction and movies for Tom Clancy. Hm?
If he makes a mistake in analysis, what will be his likely response, in a Pavlovian world?
every thing is about money and dictatorships ruined. ("west")
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wendy-leblog.com/2011/05/la-lybie-democratique-de-nos-dictatures.html
Gaddafi may be at still afford to pay for weapons and soldiers. for how long?
he still has allies in Africa?
I just looked at your blog, Wendy, and liked it.
ReplyDeleteThe national tribes' conference excepted, I seem to notice a rapidly increasing lack of thoughts among the parties in the conflict, and even among the spectators like us. Same messages are just being repeated and there is no dialogue to create new ones. At the same time, the pressures are growing - media pressures, material pressures...
It's a very critical period.
Obama is maybe one of the first who lost patience and jumped the shark.
@ Leventine : thanks !
ReplyDeleteobama should jump the shark on its economic policy.
and forget trying to solve its domestic problems through an aggressive foreign policy that increases the risk of geopolitical destabilization and therefore increases the migration out of control and tensions "military " that are sure to "explode". including civil wars and "rise of radical Islam" INEVITABLY exploited. more I am afraid that all these "tensions" result in in a loss of individual freedoms for our "democracies".
@Wendy: "Highway to hell!"
ReplyDeleteA perfect-fit description of the path we are all being gathered to, like herded cattle to slaughter.
FYI
ReplyDeleteFrench lawyer to prosecute NATO for 'crimes' in Libya - A complaint will be filed in the coming days in Brussels, Belgium, against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for 'crimes' committed in Libya, including the killing of the Libyan leader's son and his three grandchildren, French lawyer Philippe Missamou, announced Thursday to PANA. 'This is a complaint for war crimes and crimes against humanity. I am filing it in Belgium because it is the headquarters of NATO. The Belgian court is competent to assess this complaint,' said the lawyer, who is known for handling political issues. He openly accused NATO of violating the rules of armed conflict in its actions in Libya particularly the protection of civilians.
http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/libya-france:-french-lawyer-to-prosecute-nato-for-%E2%80%99crimes%E2%80%99-in-libya-2011050610957.html
Brian
There has been a lot of contradictory news lately so it is good to see a report from someone who was there recently. An independent film maker and peace activist.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.presstv.ir/detail/178967.html
CAM
A report from an *independent* film maker and *peace activist*?
ReplyDeletePRESS TV is a 24-hours English language global news network. Its headquarters are located in Tehran ... (source: wiki)
PRESS TV is state-funded and is a division of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)... (source:wiki)
Sukant Chandran is a freelance journalist and political analyst. He runs two blogs http://ouraim.blogspot.com/ and http://sonsofmalcolm.blogspot.com/
(source: Counterpunch)
Quote from the 'sons of malcolm' blog site:
"Inspired by the principles of Malcolm X ... challenging and defeating US hegemony, and the struggles of those oppressed by neo-colonialism and white supremacy (racism) who fight for their social, political and cultural freedom 'by any means necessary'.
Yeah, a real non-partisan piece of work.
Atl.
someone who was there recently? better still someone who is there NOW:
ReplyDeletemeet Leonor...shes IN Libya and about the only westerner blogging from that country.
http://leonorenlibia.blogspot.com/
shes reporting NATO war crimes including the bombing of a tripoli hospital burns unit
Brian
A weak woman suffering from Stockholm syndrome.*
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link.
(* joke)
Levantine: "A weak woman suffering from Stockholm syndrome."
ReplyDeleteNo, pay attention, my beef is with the internet groupies of the recently cited freelance journalist, political analyst and 'peace activist' with something more akin to Tehran syndrome than anything you'll find in Europe or the USA.
Atl.
@ Brian
ReplyDeleteI have read Leonor several times and she has the same opinion I have. She is very well known in Russia, several Russian blogs publish her articles.
test.
ReplyDeleteBlogger seems to be working again.
@ All
ReplyDeleteI lost an article and a bunch of comments.
I will try to repair it tomorrow.
Atl. has also sent me an interesting topic I saw in 1981 in Afghanistan and Egypt but which I had forgotten about today.
Blogger seems to be working again, yes, but minus my criticism of CAM's "independent film maker and peace activist."
ReplyDeleteConspiracy theory, anybody?
Atl.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteA report from an *independent* film maker and *peace activist*?
PRESS TV is a 24-hours English language global news network. Its headquarters are located in Tehran ... (source: wiki)
PRESS TV is state-funded and is a division of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)... (source:wiki)
Sukant Chandran is a freelance journalist and political analyst. He runs two blogs http://ouraim.blogspot.com/ and http://sonsofmalcolm.blogspot.com/
(source: Counterpunch)
Quote from the 'sons of malcolm' blog site:
"Inspired by the principles of Malcolm X ... challenging and defeating US hegemony, and the struggles of those oppressed by neo-colonialism and white supremacy (racism) who fight for their social, political and cultural freedom 'by any means necessary'.
Yeah, a real non-partisan piece of work.
Atl.
May 12, 2011 12:46 AM
I think the Atl's reaction is correct,... but what the film maker said is, by and large, quite reasonable.
ReplyDelete@ All
ReplyDeleteI am preparing a conspiracy-theory article for tomorrow.
BTW
ReplyDeleteGaddafi is not dead or wounded.
The Italians should really stop producing news from Cinecitta.
@ Levantine.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Atl.