It's time for Russia to use its sway with Syria to bring about positive change

26th Oct 2005, 21:58 GMT

Despite a drive on the part of Washington, Paris and London to punish Damascus for its possible role in the slaying of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the emerging consensus from the UN Security Council members is that it is not an appropriate time to implement sanctions. Russia, in particular, has voiced the strongest rejection to this course of action.