国际英语资讯:UN chief marks World Refugee Day; comments on Russia, Syria, U.S._时事

国际英语资讯:UN chief marks World Refugee Day; comments on Russia, Syria, U.S.

Asked about escalating tensions between Russia and the United States on air strikes in Syria, the secretary-general said he was concerned.

Russia has said it would target U.S. aircraft in their operational airspace over Syria following the U.S. shooting-down of a Syrian bomber following its attack near U.S.-supported fighters on the ground.

"I strongly hope that there will be a de-escalation of the situation, because these kinds of incidents can be very dangerous in a conflict situation in which there are so many actors and in which the situation is so complex on the ground," he said. "I hope that this will not lead to any escalation of the (Syrian) conflict that is already as dramatic as it is."

The UN chief was asked why he was pushing for a regional solution to the rift between Qatar and the other Gulf states.

"That is what normally happens," he said. "But, of course, if countries or entities that have leverage over the parties to a conflict can help, that, obviously, will always be welcome."

"I don't think that United Nations has a leverage over the parties to the conflict that make our direct intervention more effective than the support to, namely, a mediation like the Kuwaiti one, or, if the United States gets engaged in that mediation, that, of course, will be welcome if they are able to do so in an effective way," Guterres said.

On the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to back out of the Paris Agreement on climate change, the secretary-general said, "We have been quite actively engaged in trying to make sure that all ... other countries, stay the course. And also I'll say, noting with a lot of interest, the mobilization of the U.S. society, the cities, the businesses, the civil society ... are a signal of hope that we very much encourage."