All Eyes on Russia as Syria Cease-Fire Deadline Passes
In some ways, the Annan plan needs to fail — which appears most likely — to persuade Russia and China not to wield their veto on Syria resolutions as they have twice previously, diplomats and analysts said. China is basically considered to be following Russia’s lead. “They have been pushing and pushing and pushing for Annan and for mild action at the council, and it didn’t work,” said a United Nations Security Council diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity under his ministry’s guidelines.
Moon of Alabama: Diplomats And Analysts Wish For More Dead Syrians - One seldom sees blood-lust expressed so openly in a news story. "In some ways, the Annan plan needs to fail — which appears most likely — to persuade Russia and China not to wield their veto on Syria resolutions as they have twice previously, diplomats and analysts said." Meanwhile the cease-fire seems to hold for the last a few hours though there are unconfirmed reports of a rebel attack against a military airport near Aleppo. But with "diplomats and analysts" openly urging for a failure of the cease-fire one wonders how long it will take until it breaks down.