PRESS RELEASE
Medvedev Scores Obama’s ‘Irresponsible Policy’ on Islamic State
Nov. 22, 2015 (EIRNS)—Russian Prime Minister Medvedev put out a Twitter commentary countering Obama’s comments to the press in Kuala Lumpur today.
“The Islamic State has become more entrenched, in part due to the irresponsible policy of the U.S. Rather than cooperating on the fight against terrorism, America and its allies began fighting the legitimately elected president of Syria, Bashar Assad," Medvedev’s Twitter post says.
"The reasonable policy in the Middle East, whether it is Syria, Egypt, or Iraq, should consist in supporting the legitimate authorities, which can ensure the integrity of the nation rather than continue to destabilize the situation. The misguided examples are clear: At some point the U.S. assisted in the strengthening of al-Qaeda which led to the 9/11 tragedy. These lessons support the notion that the terrorist threat can only be combatted together without separating the allies into supporters and outsiders.”
Obama insisted to reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin has to agree to target airstrikes in Syria only against the Islamic State, reported the Wall Street Journal, and he has to agree that Syrian President Al Assad has to step down.
“They’re going to have to make an adjustment in terms of what they’re prioritizing,” Obama said, adding: “We all have an interest in maintaining a Syrian state because we don’t want complete chaos.”
In contrast, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, who was also in Kuala Lumpur, stated in a meeting with Medvedev, that he “appreciated highly the leading role of Russia” in fighting ISIS, reported the Russian news agency, TASS. Ban urged Russia and the U.S. to work together and with other UN Security Council members.
