Syria Rejects U.N. Monitoring Role in ‘De-Escalation Zones’
Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov of Russia will meet with his American counterpart, Secretary of State Rex
W. Tillerson, in Washington on Wednesday to discuss Syria and other issues, both sides announced on Monday.
By RICK GLADSTONEMAY 8, 2017
The Syrian government said on Monday that the "de-escalation zones" negotiated by Russia, Iran
and Turkey, which took effect this weekend, could not be monitored by others, including the United Nations.
Should there be violations, he said, "the Syrian Army will be prepared to respond in a decisive manner." Russia, the main ally of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria
and the principal author of the agreement, had suggested when it was announced last week that outside powers could play a monitoring role.
The de-escalation zones agreement, reached in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Thursday, is regarded as one of the more ambitious diplomatic undertakings by outside powers to halt the war,
but it has also raised intense skepticism from insurgents and from some of their supporters, including the United States.
But Defense Secretary Jim Mattis appeared to offer a muted expression of support on Monday, telling reporters during a visit to Denmark
that the United States would closely examine the agreement.
"We do not accept a role for the United Nations or international forces to monitor the agreement," Mr. Moallem told reporters.