Russia Urges Resolving Yemen's Conflict Diplomatically

by Stephen Lendman

Russia is the world's leading peace and stability proponent. US policy is polar opposite.

You'd never know what Russia stands for the way it’s irresponsibly bashed. Big Lies substitute for hard truths.

Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other Russian officials continue working tirelessly for peace in Syria, Ukraine and now Yemen.

On April 2, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich expressed great concern about Yemen's ongoing conflict.

Saying "Moscow continues to proceed from the assumption that there is no alternative to a political solution in the Yemeni crisis."

"We are confident that the striving of the belligerents to completely defeat their enemies by military force is a road to nowhere."

"Sooner or later, they will have to sit down at the negotiating table and search for mutually acceptable options for the country’s future development and its economic system."

"Russia will continue active diplomatic efforts during its contacts with Yemeni groups, Middle Eastern countries, and representatives of the international community in order to stop hostilities as soon as possible and to resume a negotiating process that would involve all Yemeni belligerents."

Foreign Minister "Sergey Lavrov noted unequivocally that the Russian approach underscored the need to stop any use of military force."

"Both sides must cease without delay any armed resistance and resume talks."

"In fact, they had maintained these contacts before the conflict escalated into a military standoff."

"An understanding has already been reached that the talks should be held on neutral territory, as noted by Assistant United Nations Secretary-General Jamal Benomar, the UN Special Adviser on Yemen."

"Another important aspect of our stance implies that, speaking of the regional geopolitical context of this issue, it is absolutely obvious that we must prevent the situation from deteriorating, and must also avoid a direct confrontation between Sunni and Shia Muslims."

"We have been saying this since the beginning of the Arab Spring but, unfortunately, our partners have not listened to us attentively."

"And probably, for various reasons, they chose not to."

"(T)hose who are currently trying to escalate the confrontation into an armed conflict are assuming great responsibility for the fate of the region."

"We also cannot allow the current situation in Yemen to escalate into an open armed conflict between the Arabs and Iran."

On April 4, Russia submitted a draft Security Council resolution on Yemen during a closed emergency session.

It called for a humanitarian pause to Saudi-led terror bombing and ground conflict.

Moscow's UN mission spokesman Alexey Zaytsev called it essential given out-of-control violence.

Jordanian Security Council president Dina Kawar confirmed receipt of Russia's draft, saying:

"The Russian delegation circulated a draft resolution to the council members regarding humanitarian pauses in Yemen and expressed concerns over the humanitarian situation in Yemen."

"Council members need time to reflect on the Russian proposal."

Talks continue. "We hope that by Monday we can come up with something," she added.

Moscow wants conflict halted. Continuing it assures more mass slaughter and destruction. Resolution by military means is impossible. Diplomacy alone can work.

On Friday, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met with Saudi's new UN envoy.

He stressed the "necessity of a ceasefire" to help find a way to resolve things peacefully.

Lavrov said the SC "should speak in a principled manner for ending (ongoing) violence…in the Yemen crisis."

On April 4, Saudi Arabia rejected Russia SC draft amendments calling for an arms embargo on all parties in the Yemeni conflict.

Its warplanes continue daily terror-bombing. It's airdropping weapons to anti-Houthi fighters.

Saudi-led Gulf Cooperation Council states want SC members passing a resolution embargoing arms only on Houthis.

Russia wants fighting entirely halted. Its draft resolution calls for "rapid safe and unhindered humanitarian access to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches people in need."

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Near and Middle East operations head Robert Mardini called for a humanitarian pause, saying:

"We urgently need an immediate halt to the fighting, to allow families in the worst affected areas, such as Aden, to venture out to get food and water, or to seek medical care."

On April 5, SC president Kawar expressed hope for combining (aggressor) GCC member states' SC draft resolution with Russia's.

Consensus remains elusive. Aggressors don't wage war to quit. At least not soon into conflict - not with Washington controlling things behind the scenes.

It bears repeating what other articles stressed. Yemen is Obama's war. Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, Egypt, Israel and other aggressor countries are US proxies.

War won't end until Washington halts it. Expect no resolution any time soon. Perhaps not for months or years if things turn out like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya.

Yemen is Obama's latest atrocity. Scores are dying daily. Others are maimed for life. Many injured victims aren't getting proper medical care.

Slow-motion genocide continues. The entire country is being systematically destroyed.

Around 25 million Yemenis are at risk. Death, destruction, displacement, deprivation and unspeakable human misery haunts them.

Obama bears full responsibility for what's ongoing. His rap sheet includes horrendous crimes of war and against humanity without end.

Expect continued high crimes against peace throughout the remainder of his tenure. Expect his successor to wage more endless wars. It's the American way.

On Sunday, Sputnik News said Houthis seized the provincial administration building of Yemen's strategically important port city, Aden.

They continue making ground gains despite Saudi-led terror-bombing.

Together with other Gulf state aggressors, Riyadh intends proposing a UN Charter Chapter 7 Security Council resolution Monday authorizing military action.

Whether Russia and perhaps China intend blocking it remains to be seen.

Either way, expect fighting to continue - including Saudi-led ground war plus whatever further aggression Washington wants.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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