View Single Post
Old July 2nd, 2020 #89
Alex Him
Senior Member
 
Alex Him's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,834
Blog Entries: 219
Post

Comment by the Information and Press Department on the political crisis in Afghanistan



20 March 2020 - 14:41



We are watching with alarm the political crisis unfolding around the results of the presidential election in Afghanistan. This is the result of a highly controversial election process, with numerous violations and record-low turnout. The current situation resembles the outcome of a similar election in 2014, when a contender was declared the winner without publishing the ballot-counting results, and when a compromise solution not stipulated by the provisions of the current national constitution was found.

The current standoff between the main presidential candidates has become more protracted and acute. It has escalated into the formation of parallel government structures as a response to the announced voting results. We deplore the fact that the deepening destabilisation in domestic politics hampers progress towards launching inclusive intra-Afghan talks that would lead to the long-awaited cessation of the civil war by achieving a comprehensive national reconciliation.

We are once again urging all responsible political forces in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to set aside their differences and to establish a generally recognised administration in the name of the interests of the long-suffering Afghan nation. We see the fastest possible release of prisoners of war by the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban movement under the Doha Agreement of February 29, 2020 as a top priority.

We are urging all involved foreign players to respect the sovereignty of Afghanistan, to not interfere in the country’s domestic affairs, and to abstain from attempts to impose their will on the Afghan people.

Russia is ready to continue providing all-out assistance to overcoming domestic political disagreements in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and holding intra-Afghan peace talks as soon as possible in collaboration with China, Pakistan, Iran and other interested regional partners.

We would like to take this opportunity to offer the friendly people of Afghanistan Nowruz greetings and to sincerely wish them peace and prosperity.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4091114






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Saturday news show Vesti v Subbotu, Moscow, March 21, 2020



21 March 2020 - 12:00






Question:

For you, Sri Lanka is your youth. What did you feel when you came back here? We are now in the new Embassy building, while you worked in the old building. Still, what memories did it stir up from when you worked here?



Sergey Lavrov:

Of course, I mostly remember the old building where I worked for four years. I was an aide to Soviet Ambassador Rafik Nishanov, God bless him. We created a tight-knit group of MGIMO graduates and more experienced personnel, including first secretaries and councillors. We played football and volleyball. We had a club, which no longer exists. The leased building was returned to local authorities because the new Embassy has a club on its premises.

There is one thing that comes to mind first of all. A small viper crawled into my office in the old building. The air conditioners were installed in the wall and the snake crawled through a small gap between the air conditioner and the wall. We got rid of it very quickly, but after that all offices were inspected to see if any gaps in the walls needed to be closed.

In addition to the club where we met every weekend, I also have warm memories of our sports games. By the way, we also watched films at the club. It was a good tradition. Nowadays the embassies seldom hold film screenings. Everyone can watch what they like at home.



Question:

What films did you watch back then?



Sergey Lavrov:

We were sent good Soviet films, which are shown on television even now. We also liked to play beach football. Diplomatic couriers delivered mail and collected our mail once a month. Many of them were good athletes, including football players who held the title of merited athlete. For example, Dynamo player Vladimir Savdunin played football with us. Others included players from the Spartak club. It was fantastic: we were very young then and we had a chance to play football with world famous athletes.

I also remember the trips we made. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. It takes a few hours’ drive to the mountains where people use wood-burning stoves, or tea plantations, the former British settlements which have been turned into recreation spots open to all.There is a place in Sri Lanka that is known as World’s End. It is believed that Adam lived there after he was expelled from Paradise. There are many interesting places on the island. I would recommend travelling there, if possible. It is a bit like Sochi, with both the sea and the mountains nearby. They don’t ski there, but the mountains are certainly good for hiking. Sri Lanka has a very interesting history. I also recommend visiting Sri Lanka’s old capital, Kandy.

We are developing bilateral tourism. I have held talks with President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and my colleague, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and it turned out that the number of Russian tourists in Sri Lanka increased by 30 percent to some 85,000 in 2019. Our colleagues are delighted, first by the increase itself and, second, because, apart from absolute figures, Russian tourists spend more money per capita than tourists from other countries. In short, tourism has good prospects. Our mutual trade is growing as well.

I remember that the idea of a new embassy building was aired back when I was working at the Soviet Embassy here in 1975-1976. In other words, things were not moving fast enough, but it is the result that matters. I believe the result is quite good. One can live and work here very well.



Question:

Do you still remember any behests or advice you received from Rafik Nishanov?



Sergey Lavrov:

He is a wise man. It is difficult to formulate his behests, but he showed what diplomacy was by his very behaviour and the way he worked and communicated with our foreign colleagues. Always courteous, he never offended anyone even with a hint and he always showed that he heard what his interlocutor was saying. When your response includes minor details your interlocutor used, it shows that you listen to and hear what is being said.

Rafik Nishanov also has a fine sense of humour. When he greeted me with “Hello, Marxist” upon his arrival at the embassy – I usually sat at my desk by that time – it meant that he was in a great mood and everything went very well that day. In general, he seldom lost his temper. Of course, there were some critical situations; we had our ups and downs. There were car accidents involving our personnel, which is a nervous situation, but he always settled any problems we had, bless him.



This interview was taped during Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Sri Lanka on January 14, 2020




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4091437






Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov’s answer to a media question on a series of unacceptable statements by US officials



21 March 2020 - 13:42



Question:

In the past few days, some high-ranking representatives of the US administration have voiced tough critical statements regarding Russia. They claimed that Russia was launching yet another misinformation campaign, resorting to energy weapons and trying to sow discord and uncertainty in Western countries. What is Moscow’s response to this?



Sergey Ryabkov:

We have urged and continue to urge the US to renounce the inhumane practice of using unilateral sanctions against Iran which faces a dire shortage of resources to address the urgent healthcare tasks arising in the current situation regarding the expanding coronavirus pandemic. I am confident that Washington comprehends the difference between one-off supplies of humanitarian relief consignments and the country’s inability to obtain export revenues for financing the relevant programmes due to long-term and unprecedentedly tough pressure from US sanctions. Nevertheless, US officials, including high-placed ones, are not squeamish about blatantly distorting this fact, as they pursue their well-known geopolitical goals.

Regarding allegations about Russian energy weapons, we have been hearing discourses on this subject time and again. Doubtless, our colleagues in Washington will continue to use this thesis in the future. By referring to an external enemy in the energy sector and in the area of military-technical cooperation, the United States has long been bolstering its policy of diktat against countries interested in launching and expanding equitable and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia. The United States is openly trying to torpedo the Nord Stream 2 project, and it has now made a series of insinuations about Russia’s line on global energy markets at this time of highly volatile prices and drastically reduced fuel and energy demand which is, first of all, linked with the shock to the global transport industry caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Actually, there is a noticeable degree of nervousness in Washington. Such nervousness is quite understandable in the human context. But, at this time of trial, it would probably be more appropriate to focus on expanding various areas of mutual understanding and collaboration, rather than the pointless squaring of political accounts.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4091467






Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with Novy Vek TV and Radio Company, Moscow, March 22, 2020



22 March 2020 - 19:30






Question:

Mr Lavrov, how do you estimate the effectiveness of the Republic of Tatarstan’s contacts with the outside world?



Sergey Lavrov:

The Republic of Tatarstan is perhaps one of the most pro-active regions of the Russian Federation in terms of its involvement in international and foreign economic ties of the Russian regions. We maintain very close collaboration. The republic, first, is itself highly active in promoting its presence abroad. If I am not mistaken, they have representative offices in 15 countries, where they operate in close contact with and under the guidance of Russian Federation embassies. The republic has ramified ties primarily with CIS partners, such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as with practically all the other former republics of the USSR, which are now members of the CIS. It also maintains close contacts with companies from the US, Europe, and other regions, too.

Over a period of the past few years, the republic won the first prize for creating a maximally favourable investment climate for foreign investors on three occasions. Last year, it came second, but it was the leader for the three previous years and I am sure that Tatarstan has preserved its leader ambition that will be manifested many times over. This is one of the most pro-active republics, one of the most advanced constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which has the taste and skill for operating on the foreign markets and for creating conditions enabling investments to come to the republic.



Question:

Russia has 85 regions. How great, in your opinion, is the Russian regions’ international role?



Sergey Lavrov:

As they said in the past, Russia will grow based on Siberia. Today, Russia is growing – in its activity, in politics, and in the economy – based on its regions, territories, republics and autonomous areas. What is happening today in our relations with the PRC, 70-80 percent of trade and investment is about ties encouraged by the Russian regions and China’s provinces. When Tatarstan or other Russian regions promote their goods abroad, when they court high technologies as investment in Russia, when they engage in humanitarian activities (Tatarstan regularly accompanies its economic events abroad with humanitarian meetings), they are strengthening, first, this country’s economic potential, and, second, its prestige in the eyes of international community. So, one can hardly overestimate the importance of this work.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4091545






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the presidential election in Abkhazia



23 March 2020 - 18:42



The Republic of Abkhazia held a presidential election on March 22. According to the Central Election Commission of Abkhazia, a convincing victory was won by prominent politician and Deputy of the Abkhazian National Assembly Aslan Bzhania. Russian observers did not report any violations during the election and noted the efficient organisation.

Moscow welcomes the results of this honest and free expression of will by the Abkhazian people. We believe the results of the election testify to the support of the citizens of the republic for a path towards modernisation and expansion of the multifaceted cooperation between our states.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin congratulated Aslan Bzhania on his victory in the election. In his message of congratulations, the President reaffirmed his readiness for joint work to further consolidate allied Russia-Abkhazia relations.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4091834






Statement by the Foreign Ministry



24 March 2020 - 14:46



We advise Russian citizens who are currently in countries where they need help to return home that the compilation of passenger lists for repatriation flights will be completed at 2 pm local time on March 26, 2020. Please submit the required data to Russian foreign missions without delay.

We ask all returnees from abroad to be ready for mandatory quarantine restrictions that will last for 14 days from the time of their entry to the territory of Russia, as per the sanitary and epidemiological requirements introduced by the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor).




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4091991






Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif



24 March 2020 - 19:12







On March 24, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif at the latter’s request.

The coronavirus pandemic was discussed. High praise was given to bilateral cooperation in countering this global challenge. Notes were compared regarding corresponding measures and initiatives at international organisations, including the UN.

The Russian minister reiterated Russia’s plans to continue to comprehensively promote Russian-Iranian trade and economic ties and investment projects, including increasing the supply of agricultural products, which our good neighbour badly needs, being among other things under the pressure of illegal unilateral US sanctions. Previously sent humanitarian aid from Russia to Iran was mentioned.

Sergey Lavrov pointed out that Russia continues to urge Washington to immediately lift its inhumane sanctions that prevent the respective governments from combating COVID-19.

The parties exchanged views on current items on the international agenda, including the Syrian settlement and the situation in Afghanistan.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4092057






Foreign Ministry Statement



24 March 2020 - 21:17



In view of the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation is urging all parties to regional armed conflicts to immediately stop hostilities, secure a ceasefire, and introduce a humanitarian pause.

We support the respective statement by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of March 23.

We proceed from the assumption that these developments could lead to a global humanitarian disaster, given that most people in the current hot spots lack access to medicines and skilled medical assistance.

Of special concern are the situations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Syria, as well in the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip. We note separately the risks associated with the possible deterioration of the epidemiological situation in African countries, where there is a persisting armed confrontation. The localities with camps for refugees and internally displaced persons are particularly vulnerable.

Our call is primarily addressed to the nations, which illegally use military force outside of their national borders. We especially note that the current conditions offer no justification for unilateral coercive measures, including economic restrictions, which are a severe impediment on the authorities’ efforts to protect the health of their populations.

We are highly concerned over the situation on territories controlled by terrorist groups, who could not care less about people’s wellbeing. These zones might potentially become most prone to the spread of the infection. We are confident that counter-terrorist measures must be carried on.

We call on the international community to provide the countries in need with the necessary humanitarian support without any political preconditions. Such support should be intended for saving people in distress. The use of humanitarian aid as a tool to force internal political change is unacceptable, as is speculation on the fate of any victims.

The Russian Federation will continue its work at the UN Security Council to facilitate the political and diplomatic settlement of regional conflicts based on the UN Charter and the universal norms of international law, and is ready for pro-active cooperation in this area with all parties concerned.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4092082






Comment by the Information and Press Department on a terrorist attack against a military camp in Mali



25 March 2020 - 18:28



A terrorist attack on March 19 by the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) against a camp of the Mali armed forces near the village of Tarkint, Gao Region, left 29 Malian soldiers dead and five wounded, making it the worst attack on the country’s service members in 2020. GSIM leaders called the attack “retribution” for the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission (MINUSMA) and the Operation Barkhane French force’s presence in Mali.

We strongly condemn the latest crime committed by terrorist forces in an attempt to destabilise the situation in Mali and to undermine the efforts of that country’s government to implement the Algerian-brokered 2015 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation. The ongoing challenging security situation in Mali calls for continued effective international support for the Malian government’s stabilisation efforts.

We express our condolences and sympathy to the surviving families and friends, wish a speedy recovery to the victims of this crime and reaffirm our continued support for the leadership and people of Mali in their fight against the terrorist threat.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4092296






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the terrorist attack at a Sikh temple in Kabul



26 March 2020 - 12:36



On March 25 in Kabul, terrorists attacked a Sikh temple during a service. More than 20 people were killed and several people were injured. The ISIS terrorist organisation claimed responsibility for the attack.

We condemn this barbaric crime aimed at inciting religious strife in Afghanistan. The incident once again demonstrates the need for more effective measures to combat the threat posed by ISIS in Afghanistan and for measures to prevent the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from being turned into a foothold for the spread of terrorism in the region. Once again, we are urging Afghan officials to take exhaustive action to ensure the security of their citizens and intensify the fight to destroy the ISIS bases in the country.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4092530






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the Boko Haram terrorist attacks in Chad and Nigeria



26 March 2020 - 13:19



On March 23, large groups of fighters of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation attacked Chadian government troops on the island of Boma on Lake Chad, killing 92 and wounding 47 military personnel. The extremists’ resistance was only suppressed after hours of fierce fighting, and further efforts are being made to rout the surviving terrorists. President of Chad Idriss Deby Itno has declared three days of national mourning.

Later the same day, Boko Haram fighters ambushed the Nigerian military, killing 47 and wounding 15 of them near the village of Gorigi in the north-eastern region of Borno. The Nigerian troops were on a mopping-up and fighting patrol as part of the antiterrorist operation Lafiya Dole. The terrorists and their equipment have been destroyed in an air raid by the Nigerian Air Force.

The intensity of Boko Haram attacks remains very high. The latest attacks on Chadian and Nigerian soldiers were among the largest, providing evidence of the extremist organisation’s huge combat capability.

Moscow resolutely condemns the terrorists’ criminal attacks aimed at destabilising Nigeria and Chad. We express our deep condolences to the victims’ families and friends.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4092557






Press release on a teleconference of special envoys to the Middle East Quartet of International Mediators



27 March 2020 - 13:23



On March 26, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin took part in a teleconference of special envoys to the Middle East Quartet of International Mediators (Russia, the US, the UN and the EU).

The participants held an in-depth discussion on the current lack of progress with the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and on the tasks of containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed that it was important to revitalise the work of the Quartet.

The Russian side reaffirmed the country’s consistent position in favour of the two-state solution to the conflict based on international law and pointed out the importance of restoring Palestinian national unity on the political platform of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

The special envoys agreed to continue the discussion in the next few weeks.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4092908






Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s telephone conversation with Secretary General of the PLO Executive Committee Saeb Erakat



27 March 2020 - 14:29



On March 27, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov had a telephone conversation with Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Executive Committee Saeb Erakat at the Palestinian side’s initiative.

The discussion focused on the developments in the West Bank and Gaza, including in the context of measures undertaken by the Palestinian leadership to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

While exchanging opinions on the Middle East agenda, Mikhail Bogdanov reaffirmed Russia’s continued readiness to facilitate the Palestinian-Israeli settlement on the established basis of international law, both in bilateral formats and as part of the Middle East quartet of international mediators.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4092922






Comment by the Information and Press Department on the joint address to the UN Secretary-General urging the withdrawal of unilateral sanctions in view of the spread of the coronavirus



27 March 2020 - 21:38



On March 25, the Group of States for the Defense of the Principles of the UN Charter, including Russia, Venezuela, Iran, China, North Korea, Cuba, Nicaragua and Syria, sent a joint message to the UN Secretary-General with a strong request for the complete and prompt withdrawal of the unilateral sanctions that prevent the states’ efforts to effectively fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russia has consistently opposed the unilateral restrictions that run counter to international law and cause substantial harm to the affected countries’ socio-economic development. Our message is based on the fact that during the rapid spread of the coronavirus, the lifting of these barriers has become urgent, especially for the distribution of necessary medical supplies to the countries that are under restrictions.

During the G20 emergency summit on March 26, President of Russia Vladimir Putin initiated the organising of “green corridors” that would be free of trade wars and sanctions for the mutual supply of medicines, food, equipment and technology. With this in mind, the Russian President suggested imposing a collective moratorium on the restrictions that affect basic necessities and the financial transactions for purchasing them.

The international restrictions introduced by the UN Security Council should not be an impediment in the fight against the pandemic. The Security Council sanctions resolutions provide for exceptions and exemptions for humanitarian needs. These safety mechanisms should work without fail and be free of some countries’ politicised approaches. Only in this way can the harmful effects of the restrictions for the population be avoided. In general, it is time to review the Security Council’s sanctions to ensure that they are of a truly targeted nature and think in terms of classifying some types of assistance as humanitarian exceptions.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy...ent/id/4093009
__________________
Where should they dig the Very Deep Pit?
Piglet said that the best place would be somewhere where a Heffalump was, just before he fell into it, only about a foot farther on.
(c) Alan Alexander Miln