By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, November 5 -- When US Permanent Representative to the UN Samantha Power spoke Tuesday about Syria's chemical weapons and the humanitarian situation in the country, she said 55 visas have been delayed or denied to UN staff by the Syrian government.
Inner City Press asked Ambassador Power about aid access to areas held by armed opposition, like al Raqqa and Jarabulus, as well as about Turkey. Video here, from Minute 9:26.
Ambassador Power replied that "it is clear there are a lot of no-go areas. As desperate as conditions are in the 'go' areas, imagine circumstances behind the lines, in areas not visited for more than a year by the UN or international NGOs. This underscores the importance of your question -- every country and individual should use leverage of the actors it has influence over... to allow access."
Earlier, Power said Iran should use its leverage in Syria for humanitarian access.
Russian Permanent Representative Vitaly Churkin told Inner City Press he still hoped the Geneva Two talks could happen on the scheduled announced - that is, in November.
Syrian Permanent Representative Bashar Ja'afari did not speak Tuesday at the Security Council stakeout, into the rules of which Inner City Press has been inquiring.
As to the Al Qaeda affiliated groups, Ambassador Power told Inner City Press it's a challenge, they "do not have the support of any right-thinking, decent, humane member of the international community."
Some noticed she did NOT say they do not have the support of ANY member states of the UN. Who is supporting these groups? Who has supported them? These are questions that should be answered. Watch this site.
