Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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New York,SANA_ Russian U.N. Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said that Russia backs the extension of mandate of the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) of the UN and the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in Syria but on updated mandate.
“It is important to extend the mission of the investigation team, but with a modified mandate because the methodological errors that occurred in the last report have to be corrected, this is the objective of our draft resolution,” Nebenzia told reporters.
He added that if the mandate of the inquiry was not renewed, “It may send a bad signal, but the way the investigation has been conducted sends an even worse signal.”
Earlier, Moscow confirmed that the report of the JIM, which mandate expires on November 16, on Khan Sheikhon incident is unprofessional and based on assumptions and selectivity in dealing with the facts.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said the report contains “many contradictions and relies on dubious testimonies and evidences not confirmed.”
Answering a question whether there was a convergence between the Russian and US positions on the extension of the mandate, Nebenzia said:” We are discussing the US draft resolution with the Americans. We also have a draft resolution that we have submitted.”
The Russian diplomat added that “Moscow, of course, supports the task of an investigation team that carry out “important work”.”
Ghossoun/
