Russian Foreign Ministry on Afghanistan, Syria and Venezuela

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (MZ below) commented on the International Criminal Court's refusal to investigate US war crimes in Afghanistan, saying:

Turning truth on its head, ICC officials said an investigation "would run counter to the interests of justice at this point." Polar opposite is true.

MZ: "To me, this is (reinvented) jurisprudence…Although countries can voice different attitudes towards the International Criminal Court, I believe this to be a serious precedent."

"Russia has repeatedly expressed that the International Criminal Court's actions indicate its lack of professionalism, efficiency and unbiased attitudes." 

"As a judicial agency, it must be independent. But what independence is there after what happened to the Afghanistan file in The Hague? ?

"Russia consistently calls for bringing any individuals that are guilty of the gravest crimes to account." 

"Virtually every day, we read news about the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan as a result of strikes by the so-called coalition forces that are there to establish peace, law and order."

"Illegal drug trafficking has increased as a result, completely escalating out of control. Every day, we receive news bulletins about the deaths of civilians." 

"We have become convinced once again that the International Criminal Court has proven itself unable to achieve its stated goal."

The court consistently ignores US/NATO high crimes of war and against, prosecuting their victims instead.

Established by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on July 1, 2002, it's mandated to prosecute individuals for genocide and aggression, as well as crimes or war and against humanity – the highest of high crimes.

Never in the court's near-17 year history did it fulfill its mandate, a disturbing record.

In 2016, ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she'd launch an investigation into Afghanistan war crimes after US November elections.

Its high crimes of war in Afghanistan and other war theaters are well documented – notably damning information in the Afghan War Diary and Iraq War Logs revealed by Chelsea Manning, published by WikiLeaks.

There's enough credible information in them to indict top officials of three US regimes, most current and past congressional members for funding US wars, the entire Pentagon high command, and countless subordinates below them.

Instead, the ICC operates as a US/NATO/Israeli imperial tool, breaching its mandate - prosecuting the oppressed, not the oppressors.

Endless war in Syria rages without resolution. Areas of concern remain US-supported/terrorist infested Idlib province, along with northern and southern territory illegally controlled by Pentagon forces.

MZ: "Civilian infrastructure was hit again in the town of Masyaf, leading to more civilian casualties. Mortar fire by Al-Nusra terrorists at Khalidiyeh and a market on al-Neel Street in western Aleppo killed 11 and wounded 10 civilians."

Al-Qaeda-connected White Helmets in cahoots with US-supported terrorists "are fabricating new provocations to accuse the legitimate authorities of using chemical agents." 

"This time they held joint training sessions on media coverage of the events as well as practical training in mitigating the aftermath of a chemical agent attack."

Nearly 200,000 Syrian refugees returned home to war-torn areas, MZ explained. US-led Western "fairytales" pretend otherwise, falsely claiming they fear Syrian authorities. Polar opposite is true.

Efforts by Syria and Russia increased the refugee flow back to their home areas.

MZ: "Refugee reception and accommodation points to accept over 1.5 million people have been set up in 413 towns and villages that suffered the least from military hostilities" - humanitarian aid provided.

MZ slammed Trump regime violations of the UN Charter in tactics used against Venezuela, saying:

"We are hearing about the possibility of the use of force against Venezuela more often every day. This is being done with a different tone and reasoning."

Senior Trump regime officials "are not only demanding that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro leave his legitimate post, but they want him to step down before the end of the year. They are threatening to use force if he fails to accept this ultimatum."

MZ slammed John Bolton's remarks about the need to curb legitimate Russian influence in Venezuela. "This sounds like a joke," she said, adding:

"We deal with the legitimate authorities in Venezuela whereas the (Trump regime) deals with impostors…those who pretend to be what they aren't and who assume functions and authority that nobody has given them by law." 

"After all that, we hear about interfering in Venezuela's affairs without the consent of its government. This is a joke."

Russia engages with other countries cooperatively. The US pressures, bullies, threatens, bribes, and attacks them to subordinate their sovereignty to its interests.

Nations maintaining and defending their sovereign independence are targeted for regime change – by naked aggression, color revolutions, or old-fashioned coups like what's going on unsuccessfully against the Bolivarian Republic.

Trump regime hardliners continue saying "all options on Venezuela are on the table despite the position of Latin American and Caribbean countries that have continuously stated that a military invasion of Venezuela or the threat of invasion are unacceptable," said MZ.

The US threatens peace, stability, and security in Venezuela and everywhere else. Its rage for global dominance by whatever it takes to achieve its objectives threatens everyone everywhere.

MZ saying "(w)e strongly call on our American colleagues (sic) to give up these irresponsible plans that run counter to international law" falls on deaf ears in Washington.

Maduro welcomes legitimate humanitarian aid, what Russia, China, and other countries are providing. He rejects phony Trump regime intervention, masquerading as aid, aimed solely at furthering its plot to topple him and eliminate Venezuelan social democracy.

MZ advised legitimate friends of Venezuela that wish to deliver humanitarian aid in conformity with UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182 to contact Bolivarian authorities in Caracas.

They'll facilitate genuine aid "via specialized international entities" like the UN and ICRC, MZ explained, adding:

"The best way to help the Venezuelan people is to lift the illegitimate unilateral sanctions that primarily hurt common people." 

"Stop threatening them with war and let them engage in the improvement of their country without problems. Give them back the money that you stole from the Venezuelan people."

"Return the money to the Venezuelans and they will buy all they need – food, medicines and the basic necessities. They will do this themselves. What could be easier?"

"We will monitor the situation and, if necessary, take active diplomatic steps in full compliance with international law and in cooperation with the legitimate Venezuelan government in order to help settle the situation there."

Among major powers, Russia is the world's leading proponent of peace, stability, democratic values, and rule of law observance.

The US is the world's main belligerent, operating extrajudicially at home and abroad.

It seeks dominion over planet earth, its resources and populations – endless wars and other hostile actions its main strategy of forcing its will on other nations.

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