G-8 backs negotiations to end Syria's war
Source: Agencies |
June 19, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WORLD leaders including the US and Russia declared yesterday they are united in wanting a negotiated and peaceful end to the Syrian civil war that will produce a government "under a top leadership that inspires public confidence."
The declaration at the end of the two-day Group of Eight summit sought to narrow the ground between Russia and Western leaders on starting peace talks in Geneva that could end with the ouster of Bashar Assad from power.
It stopped short of demanding Assad's removal as leader, nor did it advance the possibility of sending US, British or French weapons to rebels, an option being kept open by all three G-8 members. Russia refused to back any declaration that made such Assad's removal from power an explicit goal.
And reflecting the profound divisions that remain after two days of talks, the British host, Prime Minister David Cameron, declared in response to reporters' questions that it was "unthinkable" that Assad could play any role in Syria's post-talks government.
"He has blood on his hands. He has used chemical weapons," Cameron said, a position rejected as unproven by Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said arms supplies to Syrian rebels would destabilize the situation even further.
"Any decisions to provide the opposition with weapons based on unconfirmed accusations against Damascus of using chemical weapons will only further destabilize the situation," Putin said.
Significantly, the G-8 declaration said participants in any peace talks must agree to expel al-Qaida-linked fighters from Syria. That measure reflects growing Western unease at the human rights abuses being committed in rebel-held areas, including civilian executions.
The declaration condemned human rights abuses committed by government forces and rebels alike, and called on both sides to permit access by UN-led experts trying to investigate the contentious claims of chemical weapons use.
In its only concrete commitment, the plan commits a further US$1.5 billion in aid for Syrian refugees.
Earlier, G-8 leaders announced new goals to combat tax avoidance by multinational companies. In a joint statement they said tax authorities should share information "to fight the scourge of tax evasion" and make it harder for companies to "shift their profits across borders to avoid taxes."
But the key word in that document, often repeated, may well be "should" - because the partnership made no formal agreement on any specific reforms. The agreed aspirations will be developed at this year's G-20 summit in September.
Still, Britain heralded the agreement as a good first step toward creating a new environment of corporate transparency.
The Group of Eight is made up of Britain, the US, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, Canada and Japan.
The declaration at the end of the two-day Group of Eight summit sought to narrow the ground between Russia and Western leaders on starting peace talks in Geneva that could end with the ouster of Bashar Assad from power.
It stopped short of demanding Assad's removal as leader, nor did it advance the possibility of sending US, British or French weapons to rebels, an option being kept open by all three G-8 members. Russia refused to back any declaration that made such Assad's removal from power an explicit goal.
And reflecting the profound divisions that remain after two days of talks, the British host, Prime Minister David Cameron, declared in response to reporters' questions that it was "unthinkable" that Assad could play any role in Syria's post-talks government.
"He has blood on his hands. He has used chemical weapons," Cameron said, a position rejected as unproven by Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said arms supplies to Syrian rebels would destabilize the situation even further.
"Any decisions to provide the opposition with weapons based on unconfirmed accusations against Damascus of using chemical weapons will only further destabilize the situation," Putin said.
Significantly, the G-8 declaration said participants in any peace talks must agree to expel al-Qaida-linked fighters from Syria. That measure reflects growing Western unease at the human rights abuses being committed in rebel-held areas, including civilian executions.
The declaration condemned human rights abuses committed by government forces and rebels alike, and called on both sides to permit access by UN-led experts trying to investigate the contentious claims of chemical weapons use.
In its only concrete commitment, the plan commits a further US$1.5 billion in aid for Syrian refugees.
Earlier, G-8 leaders announced new goals to combat tax avoidance by multinational companies. In a joint statement they said tax authorities should share information "to fight the scourge of tax evasion" and make it harder for companies to "shift their profits across borders to avoid taxes."
But the key word in that document, often repeated, may well be "should" - because the partnership made no formal agreement on any specific reforms. The agreed aspirations will be developed at this year's G-20 summit in September.
Still, Britain heralded the agreement as a good first step toward creating a new environment of corporate transparency.
The Group of Eight is made up of Britain, the US, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, Canada and Japan.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
