Ambassadors to Russia Invited to Meeting on Skripal Incident
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)
Ambassadors from all diplomatically-connected nations with Russia were invited to a Wednesday straight talk discussion of the Skripal incident - what’s entirely absent in the West, Russophobic hysteria instead.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova issued a statement saying:
“We’ve invited all the ambassadors accredited in Russia to a meeting with the top officials and experts of the department for nonproliferation and arms control,” adding:
“The main topic will be the situation around the UK’s allegations on the use of a nerve agent on its territory.”
“(A)ll the allegations only distract attention from the main issue, which is the UK’s reluctance to provide any materials to Russia on the background of showering it with loutish accusations.”
It’s unclear who’ll show up. Invitations went to 144 foreign ambassadors, along with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, recognized by Russia and other nations as sovereign states.
Britain disgracefully accused Russia of the alleged father and daughter Skripal poisoning incident - providing no corroborating evidence because none exists, nor information on where the Skripals are located or their condition, other than saying they’re very ill, far short of a proper medical assessment.
A UK embassy in Russia statement said ambassador Laurie Bristow “will not participate in today’s meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry.”
Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded, saying “I cannot refrain from saying that, perhaps, this is yet another eloquent manifestation of an absurd situation, when they (the UK) asks questions, while showing no desire to hear at least some answers.”
US ambassador to Russia Jon Hunsman also intends stonewalling the meeting. The embassy “is considering sending a working-level participant instead, according to spokeswoman Maria Olson.
Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn tried having things both says, falsely saying “the weapons (in the Skripal incident) were made from Russia, clearly.”
“I think Russia has to be held responsible for it, but there has to be an absolutely definitive answer to the question where did the nerve agent come from.”
“I asked the Russians be given a sample so that they can say categorically one way or the other.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Theresa May-led Tories of “deliberately tak(ing) a course aimed at undermining bilateral relations,” adding:
“If they continue to pursue this course and take new actions against Russia…the principle of reciprocity is still in effect.” Moscow will respond appropriately.
Lavrov stressed that Moscow will continue demanding UK information on the incident - so far not revealed.
Yet during an ongoing investigation, expected to take considerable time before completing, Russia was irresponsibly blamed for what allegedly happened - despite no evidence proving it.
Nations supporting its allegations shamed themselves. Lavrov and Putin stressed that Russia destroyed its entire CW stockpile.
No toxic agents remain. Putin said he learned about the Skripal incident from media reports, explaining Russia no longer has any toxic agents. They were destroyed “under control of international observers.”
None remain, adding Russia is “ready to take part in all necessary probes but the will of the other side is needed for that. So far, we see none,” adding:
The official UK narrative “is absolute nonsense.” It’s inconceivable “that anyone in Russia could afford such reckless things ahead of the presidential elections and the FIFA World Cup. It’s simply impossible.”
What’s obvious is ignored in the West - by Russophobic officials and media scoundrels.
The Skripal affair continues festering - hysteria replacing reason, no end of it expected any time soon.
A Final Comment
On Wednesday, Russia’s Department for Nonproliferation & Arms Control Vladimir Ermakov director slammed Britain for not “shar(ing) any data (on the Skripal incident, nor showing any willingness to) answer questions,” adding:
Accusations against Russia are “groundless (and) hysterical.” Everyone involved in the Skripal incident will be eventually punished, he stressed.
Russia is conducting its own investigation, its findings to be made public.
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