Russia signals Syria shift with UN resolution

UNITED NATIONS: Russia surprised Western powers Thursday by putting forward a UN Security Council resolution on the Syria crisis amid mounting international denunciation of the deadly crackdown.

The resolution condemns violence by President Bashar al-Assad's government and opposition groups, but proposes no sanctions. Europe and the United States welcomed the Russian initiative but said the proposed text was not tough enough on the Damascus government.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton indicated, however, that western nations would try to work with Russia in a bid to pass a first Security Council resolution on the crackdown, which the United Nations says has left more than 5,000 dead.

As a key ally of Syria, Russia has tried to head off Security Council intervention in the crisis. With China, it vetoed a council resolution proposed by European nations in October condemning Assad's action.

Russia, however, called emergency talks of the 15-nation body on Syria to propose the new resolution, which strongly condemns violence by "all parties, including disproportionate use of force by Syrian authorities."

It also raises concern over "the illegal supply of weapons to the armed groups in Syria," according to an obtained copy.

Western diplomats said they had no firm evidence of arms trafficking to Syria.

Western envoys said the draft text represented a tougher Russian stance but was still "unbalanced" because it put opposition violence on the same level as the crackdown by government forces.

They also said there should be a total arms embargo and give clear support to Arab League sanctions against Syria.

Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin again rejected any talk of sanctions and even criticized the Arab League measures -- though the draft does back Arab League efforts to negotiate a settlement.