UN Security Council Debates Sanctions on Syria for Chemical Weapons Use
By VOA News August 30, 2016
The United Nations Security Council is debating whether to impose sanctions on Syria, after investigators concluded the government dropped chemical weapons on civilians.
This is the first time a U.N. panel has directly blamed the Assad regime for such an atrocity. It also blames Islamic State for at least one attack. Previous independent probes said chemical weapons were definitely used on civilians, but did not say who was responsible.
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power called the report assigning blame a "landmark," and said those behind such an attack must "pay a price."
"It is incumbent on the council to act swiftly to show ... we were serious about there being meaningful accountability," she said.
Investigators say Syrian forces dropped chemical bombs from helicopters on two villages in Idlib province in 2014 and 2015. Syrian activists say six people were killed and dozens of men, women and children fled to hospitals.
France's ambassador calls the chemical attacks a war crime and a crime against humanity, while the British ambassador said a "robust international response" is essential.
Russia supported the investigation into the attacks, but has blocked previous efforts to impose sanctions on its ally, Syria.
Ambassador Vitaly Churkin thanked the inspectors for their hard work, but said Moscow has some "very serious questions" to be examined before it is ready to accept their findings.
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