Expulsion Of 23 Russian Diplomats From Britain And Its Implications
Great Britain has ordered 23 Russian diplomats in its country to leave within one week following a chemical attack on a former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. The British Prime Minister, Theresa May gave the order in the British House of Commons. The two were found unconscious in Salisbury, England as victims of an apparent poisoning which has so far been identified by the security agencies as nerve agent known as Novichok. It is said to be among a group of chemical weapons of extreme potency and not common. Police Sergeant Nick Bailey who was at the scene of the incident also got severely injured and was admitted to a hospital and said to be in critical condition. The expulsion by the British government appears to be the gravest in international diplomacy since the Second World War and has brought the relationship between the two countries to its lowest ebb. The attack has received global condemnation with some describing it as barbaric and an appalling act of violence.
Novichok is a chemical, which must even not be used in any war, let alone on civilians. Britain’s allies in the European Union, NATO and the UN, have sent words of solidarity to the bereaved family and the nation. Even though Russia has vehemently denied any involvement in the attack, the Prime Minister Theresa May went on to give an ultimatum, which Russia brushed aside, hence the decision to expel the 23 diplomats who are suspected to have something to do with the unwarranted attack. Theresa May’s conviction might have resulted in the fact that the attack has created tensions between the two countries. The chemical is a deadly weapon which is known to be developed and produced solely by the former U.S.S.R now Russia. The reason for Britain pointing fingers at Russia is that one Alexander Litvinenko was murdered in November 2006 and his death was later established as a case of poisoning by radioactive chemicals, which was said to have been approved by Vladimir Putin. Perhaps for security reasons all the details cannot be made known but it is also widely known that several intelligence agencies were detailed to assist in the investigation. British troops trained in chemical warfare were also on the streets of the city of Salisbury to help in the investigation so Mrs. May’s decision must be comprehensively conclusive. Britain’s action is deemed as necessary to help protect innocent citizens as the primary duty and responsibility of the government. It is also refreshing to note that Britain has received tremendous support for her action which includes the withdrawal of all UK government officials and members of the Royal family from participating in the upcoming world cup finals to be stage in Russia this summer. In some quarters, Mrs. May has been hailed for the brave action of compelling case for Kremlin culpability in the incident but the action has definitely sparked off an unending diplomatic row. There will be a tit-for-tat matter, as a result of the action by Britain, which is very necessary despite the fact that Britain’s opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn does not totally agree with his Prime Minister. However if this unscrupulous action by Moscow is not countered and halted, who knows which country will be the next.
If Putin’s Russia has been able to do it to a super power country like Britain what about developing countries whose economic and military might are not much. Countries around the world have agreed to chemically disarm by destroying stockpiles of chemical weapons they may have and facilities, where they are produced to conform with the Chemical Weapons Convention. To ensure global peace, all nations must join hands to help eliminate the entire category of weapons of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons in the world. This is the time for the world to stand up and speak the truth to the powers of Russia about the abuse of human rights by the Putin government and its supporters, both at home and abroad.
BY: NANA SIFA TWUM, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT – LONDON- UK.
Novichok is a chemical, which must even not be used in any war, let alone on civilians. Britain’s allies in the European Union, NATO and the UN, have sent words of solidarity to the bereaved family and the nation. Even though Russia has vehemently denied any involvement in the attack, the Prime Minister Theresa May went on to give an ultimatum, which Russia brushed aside, hence the decision to expel the 23 diplomats who are suspected to have something to do with the unwarranted attack. Theresa May’s conviction might have resulted in the fact that the attack has created tensions between the two countries. The chemical is a deadly weapon which is known to be developed and produced solely by the former U.S.S.R now Russia. The reason for Britain pointing fingers at Russia is that one Alexander Litvinenko was murdered in November 2006 and his death was later established as a case of poisoning by radioactive chemicals, which was said to have been approved by Vladimir Putin. Perhaps for security reasons all the details cannot be made known but it is also widely known that several intelligence agencies were detailed to assist in the investigation. British troops trained in chemical warfare were also on the streets of the city of Salisbury to help in the investigation so Mrs. May’s decision must be comprehensively conclusive. Britain’s action is deemed as necessary to help protect innocent citizens as the primary duty and responsibility of the government. It is also refreshing to note that Britain has received tremendous support for her action which includes the withdrawal of all UK government officials and members of the Royal family from participating in the upcoming world cup finals to be stage in Russia this summer. In some quarters, Mrs. May has been hailed for the brave action of compelling case for Kremlin culpability in the incident but the action has definitely sparked off an unending diplomatic row. There will be a tit-for-tat matter, as a result of the action by Britain, which is very necessary despite the fact that Britain’s opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn does not totally agree with his Prime Minister. However if this unscrupulous action by Moscow is not countered and halted, who knows which country will be the next.
If Putin’s Russia has been able to do it to a super power country like Britain what about developing countries whose economic and military might are not much. Countries around the world have agreed to chemically disarm by destroying stockpiles of chemical weapons they may have and facilities, where they are produced to conform with the Chemical Weapons Convention. To ensure global peace, all nations must join hands to help eliminate the entire category of weapons of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons in the world. This is the time for the world to stand up and speak the truth to the powers of Russia about the abuse of human rights by the Putin government and its supporters, both at home and abroad.
BY: NANA SIFA TWUM, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT – LONDON- UK.
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