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Thursday 17 December 2020
“So much cynicism”
Germany attacked in the UN Security Council
Violent exchange of blows at the UN Security Council: When it comes to humanitarian aid in Syria, the German ambassador openly accuses Russia and China of blocking supplies. The representatives of Beijing and Moscow oppose and accuse Berlin of “hypocritical behavior”.
At the UN Security Council, Germany fought a heated battle of words with Russia and China for humanitarian aid for the Syrian people. During the heated meeting, representatives from Moscow and Beijing questioned Germany’s suitability for a permanent seat on the Security Council. Germany’s path to permanent membership “will be difficult,” said Chinese representative Yao Shaojun.
The German government accuses Moscow and Beijing of being responsible for blocking UN aid deliveries to Syria. In July, after fierce fighting, the UN Security Council agreed to a limited continuation of cross-border humanitarian aid deliveries to the Syrian population. However, deliveries can only be made through a single border crossing.
The German ambassador to the UN, Christoph Heusgen, harshly denounced the position of Russia and China on humanitarian aid to Syria at the council meeting held via video link. It was “very cynical” when both states complained that aid supplies could not reach Syria.
Moscow and Beijing would have to verify their positions and allow deliveries through more border crossings so that food and medicine actually reach the people, Heusgen demanded. He complained that the UN Security Council had “eliminated” the people of Syria. Russia not only supports Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in the civil war, but also contributes to the “suffering and death” of the people themselves.
“We will not miss you”
Russian Deputy Ambassador Dmitri Polyansky responded to this with the accusation that if the Security Council lowers the Syrian population, it is due to “hypocritical behavior” by Germany and the West. He also told Heusgen: “We will not miss you.” At the end of the year, Germany will leave the most powerful body in the United Nations after two years as a temporary member.
The Russian diplomat also said that due to the appearance of German representatives on the Security Council, many UN member states that had previously supported Germany’s permanent membership now wonder whether “so much cynicism” should be allowed in the body. Chinese diplomat Yao said: “Germany’s appearance on the Security Council has not met the expectations of the world and the expectations of the Council.”
For many years, Germany has struggled to become a permanent member of the Security Council and to reform the composition of the body in general, but without making great progress. The Security Council has five permanent and ten rotating members. The permanent members are China, Russia, the United States, France and Great Britain. Unlike temporary members, they have the right of veto.
