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Russia says might use force to cease-fire violators in Syria Russia says might use force on cease-fire violators in Syria
(about 4 hours later)
MOSCOW — Russia on Monday warned the United States that it will start responding unilaterally to cease-fire violations in Syria if the U.S. refuses to coordinate rules of engagement against violators. A U.S. official contended the issues were being discussed “in a constructive manner.” MOSCOW — Russia on Monday warned the United States that it will start responding unilaterally to cease-fire violations in Syria if the U.S. refuses to coordinate rules of engagement against violators. The U.S. State Department insisted that Moscow and Washington were working constructively to monitor the truce and warned Russia against taking unilateral action.
The Russian military has accused the U.S. of dragging its feet on responding to Moscow’s proposals on rules for joint monitoring of the Syria cease-fire and response to violations. It said that further delays are leading to civilian casualties.The Russian military has accused the U.S. of dragging its feet on responding to Moscow’s proposals on rules for joint monitoring of the Syria cease-fire and response to violations. It said that further delays are leading to civilian casualties.
Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian General Staff said in a statement on Monday that if the U.S. fails to respond to its proposals on a joint response, the Russian military will have to start unilaterally using force against those who break the cease-fire, starting Tuesday.Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian General Staff said in a statement on Monday that if the U.S. fails to respond to its proposals on a joint response, the Russian military will have to start unilaterally using force against those who break the cease-fire, starting Tuesday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a separate but similar statement.The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a separate but similar statement.
But in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press, a U.S. official in Geneva said: “We have seen the media reports on alleged Russian concerns over cease-fire violations. Whoever is making such statements must be misinformed, because these issues have been discussed at length already, and continue to be discussed, in a constructive manner.” In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. and Russia were working together to collect and analyze information about cease-fire violations, and that any unilateral Russian action to punish transgressors goes against “the spirit of the cessation of hostilities.”
The official demanded anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. “There has been coordination,” Kirby told reporters, saying these matters “continue to be discussed in a constructive manner.” But he said no action has been taken against truce violators thus far.
“Our expectation is that Russia will refrain from unilateral actions,” Kirby stressed, saying the cessation of hostilities is holding despite some breaches. There is “no reason for anybody to say that there needs to be unilateral action taken.”
In Geneva, the U.N. special envoy for Syria, whose office is helping monitor cease-fire violations in Syria, said he was “extremely supportive” of U.S. and Russian cooperation to help bolster a peace process for the war-torn country. Staffan de Mistura pointed to the unprecedented “operation center” that is designed to help the two powers’ military and civilian experts to “cooperate in containing the crisis.”
“The moment that they (the U.S. and Russia) don’t talk substantively, we go back to the past,” de Mistura said, “and we can’t afford it — and they know it too.”
The cease-fire that began on Feb. 27, brokered by Russia and the U.S., has helped significantly reduce hostilities for the first time during the five-year conflict that has killed a quarter-million and turned millions into refugees. The Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front have been excluded from the truce.The cease-fire that began on Feb. 27, brokered by Russia and the U.S., has helped significantly reduce hostilities for the first time during the five-year conflict that has killed a quarter-million and turned millions into refugees. The Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front have been excluded from the truce.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last week recalled some Russian warplanes from Syria, but said the action against those groups will continue.Russian President Vladimir Putin last week recalled some Russian warplanes from Syria, but said the action against those groups will continue.
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Keaten reported from Geneva. Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. Keaten reported from Geneva. Bradley Klapper in Washington and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.