Скачать или смотреть CLINTON SAYS RUSSIA MUST ACT OR RISK SACRIFICING SYRIAN INTERESTS

(13 Jun 2012) US Secretary of the State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday warned Russia that it would sacrifice its interests in Syria unless it acted constructively.
Speaking to reporters a day after accusing Moscow of sending attack helicopters to Syria, Clinton questioned Russia's claim that it wants peace and stability restored in the Arab country and that it is not attached to Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.
"Russia says it wants peace and stability restored. It says it has no particular love lost for Assad, and it also claims to have vital interests in the region and relationships that it wants to continue to keep. They put all of that at risk if they do not move more constructively right now," Clinton said on Wednesday, speaking alongside her Indian counterpart, S.M. Krishna.
Clinton also flatly rejected charges by Russia's Foreign Minister that the US was providing military aid to Syrian rebels.
"I would emphasise that the United States has provided no military support to the Syrian opposition, none. All of our support has been medical and humanitarian to help relieve the suffering of the Syrian people."
It was the latest in a tit-for-tat exchange between the two nations and came after Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov refuted American claims that Russia was supplying the Syrian government with attack helicopters.
"All the contracts we have with Syria are about anti-aircraft air defence and we are violating none of the international laws and providing no illegal weapons to Syria. Unlike the US that provides Syrian dissidents with weapons that can be used against the Syrian government," Lavrov said.
As the conflict in Syria deteriorates into a murderous grind, diplomatic hopes have rested on Russia - Syria's most important ally and protector - agreeing on a transition plan that would end the Assad family dynasty, which has ruled Syria for more than four decades.
But Moscow has rejected outside forces to end the conflict or any plan to force regime change in Damascus.
The United Nations special envoy on Syria, Kofi Annan, has asked governments with influence to "twist arms" to end the bloodshed.
But there are few signs the diplomatic pressure is having any measurable effect.


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