Chemical attacks: strong presumptions about the Assad regime (gymnich)
(BRUSSELS2 to Vilnius) The informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers held in Vilnius led to an agreement between Europeans on the need to await the report of the inspectors and the UN Security Council, before any further action. The discussion held at 28 between Europeans, in the presence of the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, continued until the beginning of the afternoon. And it was finally around 14:30 p.m. that the final press conference was organized, 2:30 a.m. behind schedule. The "28" thus agreed - unanimously according to a minister - on a common text. But it took almost two more hours before this text was published. Here it is (in English). To download Here.
NB: It should be noted that this text makes no reference to the declaration approved by 11 countries at the G20, a text which Germany has just joined. The terms of "greeting" the text or even "taking note" did not arouse common enthusiasm. On the other hand, it does designate - as the draft statement published by B2 this morning mentioned (read: Chemical strikes. No doubt allowed? (Gymnich) - one responsible for these attacks, the Assad regime.
The Assad regime is behind the August 21 attack. “A large attack killing hundreds of people, including women and children, was committed in the suburbs of Damascus on August 21. This attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, a war crime and a crime against humanity. We unanimously condemn in particularly strong terms this terrible attack. Information from a wide variety of sources confirms the existence of this attack. They seem to indicate strong evidence that the regime is responsible for these attacks because it is the only one to possess chemical weapons and have them in sufficient quantity. »
A crime that cannot go unpunished « Faced with such cynical use of chemical weapons, the international community cannot remain passive. A clear and strong response is crucial to make it clear that such crimes are unacceptable and cannot go unpunished. We must prevent the setting of a dreadful precedent on the use of chemical weapons in Syria again or elsewhere.”
The resolution of the conflict at the UN. " The European Union also stresses the need to make progress in resolving the Syrian conflict through the UN mechanism. (...) Hopes that the preliminary report on the first investigations can be published as soon as possible and welcomes the declaration of President Hollande to wait for this report before any other action (*). The EU urges the UN Security Council to prevent any further chemical attack. And he encourages the Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and take all initiatives to achieve this objective. »
The jurisdiction of the ICC. " The EU recalls the individual responsibility of the perpetrators of attacks of this type who must be prosecuted, as well as the role of the International Criminal Court to investigate and judge such cases. » (**)
A political solution to the conflict. Only a political solution can put an end to this terrible bloodshed, the serious violations of human rights and the large-scale destruction of Syria. An inclusive diplomatic process leading to a political solution is now more urgent than ever. The initiative for a "Geneva II" peace conference must begin quickly.
(*) The declaration of Hollande was an important element for the Europeans specified several ministers, a "game changer" specified one of them.
(**) The Europeans are not calling for referral to the Court. Which is relatively low for a conviction that wants to be strong.
