IT was clearly not in the best interests of Russia to veto the United Nations resolution which would have put more pressure on the Syrian regime to end its massacre of the Syrian people. It was not wise for Russia to sacrifice the goodwill of the Arabs for whatever small gain it is expecting from the regime of Bashar Al-Assad, which has not shown any care for its people or for the Arab world because it is so obsessed with power. Russia miscalculated when it decided to confront the international community by using its veto power in the United Nations to protect the Al-Assad regime, which has nothing constructive to offer to the world. However you look at it, the regime will soon fall and this will not be good for Russia. The Russian veto of the resolution condemning the bloody crackdown by Al-Assad's regime was tantamount to endorsing the carnage that has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people. It seems that Russia has realized its mistake and has started contacting countries to explain its position. It was in this context that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev contacted King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The Saudi position, King Abdullah said, is based on Islamic values and ethics and is completely opposed to what is going on in Syria and this position will not be changed. The Kingdom blamed Russia for not coordinating with its Arab friends to save the Syrian people from further suffering and for vetoing the Arab-backed UN resolution. As a matter of principle and in the interest of the Arab people, King Abdullah frankly told the Russian president that any dialogue on the Syrian crisis is futile. The Russian veto has given the Syrian regime an opportunity to destroy its own people and their country as well. It is hoped that Russia understood this unequivocal message and that it will alter its position on the Syrian crisis before it is too late. __
