Latest News:  

English>>World

Russian official criticizes Golan Heights peacekeeper restrictions

(Xinhua)

08:13, June 09, 2013

MOSCOW, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A Russian official on Saturday said Moscow should be allowed to send U.N. peacekeepers to the Golan Heights despite being prohibited from doing so as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

"We should not cite 40-year-old restrictions here," Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said in his Twitter account. "The tasks of maintaining peace and stability require a different political mentality."

If the United Nations was really concerned over tensions in the Golan Heights, Gatilov said, "then sending a Russian contingent there is the solution."

President Vladimir Putin offered Friday to send peacekeepers, as part of the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force, to replace the Austrian peacekeepers who were to withdraw due to an "unacceptable level of danger to its personnel."

U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said later it was impossible to accept Russia's offer because the country is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

"We appreciate the consideration that Russia has given to provide troops on the Golan," he told reporters. "However, the disengagement agreement and its protocol between Syria and Israel does not allow for the participation of permanent members of the security council in UNDOF."

Gatilov argued that decision on the composition of peacekeeping contingent should lie solely in the UNSC.

"It is not in the terms of reference of the U.N. secretary-general's spokesman to decide what countries can be represented in the contingents on the Golan Heights," he said. "Such decisions are made by the UNSC."

The Golan Heights have been occupied by Israel since 1973. The UNDOF has been monitoring the ceasefire between Syria and Israel since May 1974.

We recommend:

Photo of the innocent childhood
    

17th Gay Pride Parade held in Sao Paulo

Polar bear Inuka into new enclosure in Singapore Zoo

'50th Madaraka Day marked in Kenya

International Children's Day marked around world

Sudden rain hits Hyderabad, India

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:LiangJun、Yao Chun)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Bayi Aerobatics Team in training

  2. PLA Air Force in confrontation training

  3. Supporters of Iranian presidential candidate

  4. Photo story: becoming acrobats

  5. Bus fire suspected 'serious criminal case'

  6. Flight overshoots airport runway

  7. Paintings about the Dragon Boat Festival

  8. The history and future of Shuyuan

  9. China's first Boeing 787 makes debut flight

  10. Chongqing Int'l Auto Industry Fair kicks off

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Private sector essential to China's economic health
  2. Fines for unmarried mothers draw criticism
  3. Less Gaokao participants, more seek int'l study
  4. China-US summit to set sunny tone for times ahead
  5. Most US citizens positive on China
  6. Job-hunting college grads need 'soft power'
  7. China strengthens cultural heritage protection
  8. GE CEO optimistic about China's capability
  9. China to become most promising market
  10. High-end manufacturing holds the key

What’s happening in China

Sick girl realizes dream on the stage

  1. Man given death penalty over E China fire
  2. 10,000 evacuated in continuing downpour
  3. Heavy sand storm hits Yinchuan, NW China
  4. Heavy rain kills 15 in southern China
  5. Girl taking national exam drowns in N china