Russian envoy calls for urgent Arab action in Egypt

Russian Ambassador to Qatar Vladimir Titorenko has described the ongoing situation in Egypt as “disturbing and dangerous” than the happenings in Syria and called upon the Arab countries not to remain indifferent to the latest developments in the North African Arab country.In an interaction with a select group of journalists yesterday, Titorenko who has several years of experience in the Arab region, said while the whole of the Middle East is focusing its attention on the turbulent developments in Syria, the ongoing happenings in Egypt, which he described as “even more dangerous” are by and large being overlooked by Arab countries.The ambassador termed the ongoing developments in Egypt as the result of the failure of the administration to fulfill the promise given to people after taking over the reins of the country through the February revolution.  According to Titorenko, more killings have taken place in and around Tahrir Square in Cairo in the last few days than what had occurred in Syria during the same period.Answering a query, Titorenko wondered if the happenings in Egypt would lead to further anarchy and chaos and eventually to even a bloody civil war between warring groups if a proper transfer of power to an elected government did not take place. “Without any further delay, the Arab countries need to find a way out to settle the impasse in Egypt and restore order in that country,” he said.Coming to Syria, Titorenko said Russia firmly believed that only through a dialogue, a settlement could be arrived at. Reiterating his country’s earlier position, the ambassador said the agitators had already violated the UN resolution prohibiting the use of weapons and they committed numerous killings. “To our understanding, the Syrian protesters have killed at least one civilian each for every two or three killings committed by the police, defence and other security forces,” he said.Virtually ruling out the scope for an immediate international military intervention, Titorenko said he did not see any such possibility as it would be harmful for the interest of the whole region. The diplomat said his country had a strategic defence tie-up with Syria but that did not mean Russia would send troops all on a sudden to quell the agitation and would join the battle, if necessary.   Replying to a query on the reports of the Russian fleet movement in the Mediterranean Sea, the ambassador said there was nothing new in the Russian presence as his country’s fleet had always been carrying out monitoring duties along the region. He said the Black sea is an extension of the Mediterranean Sea and his country is duty-bound to protect the area.The ambassador said why Russia stood by Syria in opposing the international observers in that country as many Arab countries, including some GCC states, had deputed foreign nationals residing in their territories as “observers” for monitoring developments. “”Syria had made its position clear on the whole issue earlier and would have given utmost regard to its sovereignty by refusing permission to foreigners representing as observers of some Arab countries,” he said.Titorenko said in his long experience in the region he had found that there are better qualified and experienced observers for such monitoring missions in several Arab countries and there is no reason why such people could not be sent to Syria by their respective states.The Russian envoy said his country would be only too happy to co-ordinate with the members of the Arab League in finding an amicable solution to the Syrian crisis and is not in favour of any joint moves with non-Arab countries as Turkey and Iran. “We firmly believe it is an issue that needs to be settled among the Arab states and hence no outside intervention is necessary at this juncture, said Titorenko.The ambassador also felt that Syrian army is strong enough to ward off any threats coming from outside and did not require the support of international forces to counter the attacks taking place within its territory. Syria’s air force too is well-trained and could well guard the interests of the country, he felt.When asked about the possibility of Turkey intervening in Syria, Titorenko said being a member of the Nato Alliance, it required a mandate from Brussels and hence it appeared to be a long process.