Babis Flip-Flops On Syria: Criticizes Allied Strike After Meeting With Zeman Today

Milos Zeman Andrej Babis

Lany, Central Bohemia, April 15 (CTK) – The military intervention of the USA, Britain and France in Syria is no solution and problems of the region must be negotiated, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said after meeting President Milos Zeman today.

 

Babis also criticised the attack for not having been given a consent by the United Nations Security Council.

 

The Allied air strike in Syria on Friday was unavoidable since the Czech Republic considers chemical arms an unacceptable instrument, especially if used against civilians, Babis tweeted on Saturday.

 

He said the Czech position to the use of chemical arms had been unchanged for 30 years.

 

The air strike, conducted by the USA, Britain and France, was backed by the Czech Foreign Ministry, the EU and NATO.

 

It was condemned by Russia, an ally of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Czech Communists and the anti-EU Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD).

 

“The military intervention does not resolve anything. It does not resolve the situation of the people who live there. One has to sit at the negotiating table and look for a solution together,” Babis said, adding that the talks should be attended by representatives of the EU, the USA and Russia.

 

He also mentioned the talks with Turkey, Israel, Iran and other countries with interests in Syria.

 

“Naturally, if the attack destroyed the production of chemical arms, it is good, but this does not resolve the situation of the country as such,” Babis said.

 

“Once we are in NATO, once we are in the EU and once we are allies, we reacted. Naturally, a solution without a military intervention would be much better,” Babis said.

 

The air strike was supported by Foreign Minister Martin Stropnicky and Defence Minister Karla Slachtova (ANO).

 

“I could see that our two ministers competed with their statements, staging various conferences,” Babis said.

 

“This was not a uniform position of the government,” he added.