US and Russia agree UN draft on Syria chemical weapons

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Russia and the US have agreed a draft UN resolution on ridding Syria of chemical weapons, diplomats say.

They say a meeting of the UN Security Council was called for 20:00 local time in New York (00:00 GMT) to discuss the document.

It is seen as a key step in a US-Russia brokered plan under which Syria agreed to disclose its arsenal and eliminate it by mid-2014.

Moscow and Washington had disagreed over the wording of the draft.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24292989

[Purveyor]

1. This is coming around quite nicely, indeed. Thanks for posting. eom

[BelgianMadCow]

2. Good news!

thanks for posting. RT had it that it won't reference chapter 7.
No ‘Chapter 7 measures’ in Syria draft resolution – Lavrov

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Slightly modified now - "No ‘military measures’ in Syria draft resolution – Lavrov"

“There will be no enforcement in line with Chapter 7,” he emphasized.

The draft resolution backs the agreement reached in Geneva regarding Syria's commitment to place its chemical weapons stockpile under international control. If there is any violation by any party – as the resolution also calls on the opposition to assist in the disarmament process – the Security Council will convene again and will be ready to take enforcement measures in line with Chapter 7, Lavrov said.

The deal includes enforcement language–”Chapter VII authority”– but is not explicit on military action or other automatic penalties if Syria does not comply.

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/09/26/un-deal-to-compel-syria-to-hand-over-chemical-weapons/

Although the draft refers to Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows the use of military force, a second resolution authorising such a move would be needed.

This is something that Russia would almost certainly veto, the BBC's Nick Bryant in New York reports.

The proposed resolution also says that those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria "should be held accountable".

But there is no mention that they should be tried at the International Criminal Court - a significant weakening from previous drafts, our correspondent adds.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24292989

[BelgianMadCow]

7. Interesting, the update. Sounds just about right

DO have a reference to chapter 7. DO NOT have automatic military reprisals. Sounds good.

Thank you!

[davidpdx]

8. Let's hope Syria and Russia keep their word

If they don't then the resolution will be worthless.

[baldguy]

3. That can't be right - when the US threatens to use military force to stop evil IT NEVER WORKS!

[TomCADem]

4. Why did Russia wait for 2 years before helping?

Russia drags their feet until the U.S. is on the verge of attacking, then suddenly helps facilitate a deal on chemical weapons? They should have just done this from the get-go and avoid all the drama.

[treestar]

10. +1

[freshwest]

5. Good work, Obama and Kerry!

[Sunlei]

9. best case scenario IMO, so far so good! I wish the process went faster than 'mid- 2014'

A lot can happen or be "created to happen" by the warmonger- profiteers, in the meantime.