German Chancellor called the lack of a Syria resolution by the U.N. Security Council a “scandal.”
“It is a scandal that no U.N. Security Council resolution materialized,” she said at a press conference on April 6. “Those who opposed it must consider what responsibility they bear.”
By “those who are responsible” Merkel was calling out Russia, which has vetoed every Security Council resolution calling for sanctions on Syria.
By citing Russia as the stumbling block, Merkel joined U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson in laying the blame on Russia for keeping Bashar al-Assad in power in Syria. Russia has not only supported Assad politically; Russia has provided military support.
Merkel mentioned the latest Syria gas attack against civilians, which killed at least 70, including a dozen children.
“It was a barbaric attack that must be cleared up.”
“The use of chemical weapons is a war crime,” she noted. “This means we have to do everything we can to clear this up.
“Unfortunately there are many indications that this was carried out by the Assad regime, also the subsequent bombing of the hospital were victims were being treated.”
Assad’s regime continues to deny responsibility despite mounting evidence that Syrian government jets dropped poison gas bombs on civilians.
