Amidst calls for nomination of a Nobel peace prize for Putin, the first, albeit predictable cracks, are already showing in the groundbreaking Syria chemical arms agreement.
Although France had immediately voiced doubts, the Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, lost no time in trying to strongarm both the United States and the UN, in conceding that the agreement is not just a stepping stone to chemical arms destruction in Syria but in virtue of the 'concession' given, that is also must contain an unwritten understanding that, once signed, all UN or US war resolutions against Syria must be abandoned, whether or not Syria complies.
It is not new, for Russia to want more from an agreement than is agreed. And that, should have been expected. What Russia wants, with the agreement, is a future 'hands-off' promise that they would like to see carried on in perpetuity.
That is after all, how Russia conducts its affairs. It does nothing for nothing. The fact that it has played intermediary in the Syria conundrum, does not mean its interest would not be protected.
In effect, the UN does not have to abide by any request by Russia not to order a resolution for enforcement of the agreement that allows Syria to destroy its chemical weapon cache to avoid military strikes. But the solidity of the agreement could be in jeopardy if other 'requirements' are annexed to it by either side.
Force : the Hindu/ 9.17.13
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