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Friday, Oct 12, 2012 7:00 PM UTC

US: Russia policy on Syria is ‘morally bankrupt’

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Topics: From the Wires,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Friday accused Russia of pursuing a “morally bankrupt” policy in Syria, following Turkey’s seizure of alleged Russian military equipment from a Syrian plane headed from Moscow to Damascus.

The State Department said it had “grave concern” that Russia is continuing to supply Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime with materiel that could be used to bolster its fight against rebels.

“We have no doubt that this was serious military equipment,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters, referring to the cargo that was taken from the plane.

Turkish fighter jets on Wednesday intercepted the Syrian Air flight from Moscow and seized what it said what it said was ammunition and military equipment for the Syrian Defense Ministry.

But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the plane was legally carrying Russian radar parts for Syria.

Lavrov insisted the shipment of “electric equipment for radars” was legitimate cargo that complied with international law, but he added that it was of “dual purpose,” meaning it could have civilian and military applications. Syria has branded the incident piracy and Russia said the action endangered the lives of Russian citizens aboard the aircraft.

The U.S. acknowledges the shipments are legal but only because Russia along with China, has repeatedly blocked efforts to impose sanctions, including an arms embargo, on the Assad regime at the U.N. Security Council.

Russia and China have been harshly criticized for their stance by the U.S. and its allies, and Nuland took that criticism a step further on Friday.

“There are no Security Council sanctions on Syria because Security Council members Russia and China continue to block them,” she said. “Everybody else on the Security Council is doing what it can unilaterally to ensure that the Assad regime is not getting support from the outside.”

“No responsible country ought to be aiding and abetting the war machine of the Assad regime and particularly those with responsibilities for global peace and security as U.N. Security Council members have,” she said. She added that the shipment was “legally correct but the policy is still morally bankrupt.”

Matthew Lee

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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