Only UN-approved military action in Syria- Caricom, Cuba

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

Guyana is among Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member nations that are opposed to a unilateral military strike by the United States on Syria and instead want the United Nations (UN) to take that decision.

“We reaffirm our support for peace and for the principles of international law including the peaceful solution of disputes, and stress that any military action against Syria must be carried out in full conformity with the Charter of the United Nations,” state the Foreign Ministers of Cuba and Caricom on Friday.

In the final declaration at the end of their two-day meeting that was held in Grenada, the Foreign Ministers expressed their deep concern for the loss of lives, alleged use of chemical weapons and the possibility of a “wide war” in Syria.

The 4th CARICOM-Cuba Foreign Ministers meeting noted that worsening conflict in Syria might result in dangers to the Middle East and international peace and security.

The US has already accused Russia of scuttling the UN’s role in determining any military action against Syria in response to the August 21 poison gas attack on opponents of President Bashar Hafez al-Assad.

Donald Ramotar, the President of Guyana- one of Caricom’s largest countries- has already outlined his country’s position that favours the UN’s role in dealing with the Syrian crisis.

“As it relates specifically to Syria, our position is that the United Nations should be allowed to their work and to complete their work and no action should be taken without the ratification of the United Nations Security Council,” he has said during Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro’s visit to Guyana last week Saturday.