Western nations on the UN Security Council say they are drafting a sanctions resolution. But Russia, along with Britain, China, France and the United States, has the power to veto a resolution and Churkin’s remarks suggested that persuading Moscow to back tough measures would be difficult.
Asked as he was going into a regular Security Council meeting whether it was time for sanctions on Syria, Churkin told reporters, “No, we don’t think so.”
In addition to Russia, China, South Africa, Brazil and India have indicated that they would have trouble supporting punitive measures against Damascus. Council resolutions need nine votes in favor and no vetoes in order to pass.
The United Nations says 2,200 people have been killed in Syria since the crackdown against protesters began in March and its Human Rights Council launched an investigation on Tuesday into the violence, including possible crimes against humanity, despite objections from Russia and China.
Churkin said Russia believed the 15-nation council had stated its position clearly in an Aug. 3 statement in which it called for an end to violence and condemned the use of force by Syrian authorities.
“We hope to see progress, we hope to see dialogue established in Syria,” he said. “We think we should continue to work within the scope of that unified position.”
Several council diplomats told Reuters on Monday that a draft resolution being prepared by the US and European delegations on the council would call for sanctions against President Bashar Al-Assad and several other top Syrian officials.
They said it would also blacklist several Syrian firms and call for a referral of Syria’s clampdown to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which could issue a warrant for Assad’s arrest as it did with Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, his son and his intelligence chief earlier this year.
Churkin did not comment on the specific sanctions measures being proposed.
“There are some ideas being floated but those are initial ideas,” he said. “But we are comfortable within the scope of the Aug. 3 statement.”
Council diplomats said the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Portugal planned to circulate the draft resolution to full council later on Tuesday so it can be revised and put to a vote as soon as possible.