Assad accused of GENOCIDE over Syria nerve gas attack – but Russia VETOES probe into massacre
THE United States has said the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is guilty of “genocide” in the wake of the chemical attack on Douma – as Russia stands by its ally and vetoes launching a probe.
Kay Hutchison, the US ambassador to NATO said the Syrian regime had committed the crime in an interview with Sky News and went on to accuse Russia of “propping up Assad”.
She said: “'They should do something to stop this kind of genocide. We would call upon them to do that but I think a military response is appropriate.”
Asked by Sky’s Alistair Bunkall if the Douma attack on unarmed civilians could be called genocide, Hutchison replied: “'I think killing your own people with chemical weapons, yes.”
The comments came as Russia vetoed a US resolution to create a new body to investigate the attack.
A rival measure put forward by Russia failed to garner enough votes for adoption.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Russia was holding the Syrian people to ransom by failing to back the UN resolution.
In a tweet he said: “Hugely disappointing that Russia vetoed the proposal at the UN for an independent investigation into Syrian chemical attacks.
“'Russia is holding the Syrian people to political ransom by supporting a regime responsible for at least four heinous chemical attacks against its people.”
Twelve council members voted in favour, while Bolivia joined Russia in voting no, and China abstained.
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A Security Council resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by Russia, China, France, Britain or the United States to pass.
UK ambassador to the UN Karen Pierce said it was a “sad day for the Security Council' and 'for the people of Douma”.
Ms Pierce told the Security Council: 'By vetoing, Russia has crossed the line in the international order and worse, if possible, history is repeating itself one year on from Khan Shaykhun."
France also joined the growing body of international outrage over the attack with the country saying it would retaliate against the Assad regime if evidence emerged that the “red line” of chemical weapons had been used on the town.
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