UNSC endorses Kofi Annan's Syria proposals
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E-mail Xinhua, March 22, 2012
Members of The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously endorsed proposals presented to Syria by Kofi Annan, the international envoy attempting to end a year of violence in the country.
In a separate statement, they also condemned recent terror attacks in the Syrian capital of Damascus, reminding all such responses must comply with international law and safeguard human rights.
The panel of 15 expressed its support for Annan, the joint special envoy for Syria of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, in a presidential statement, a device demanding consensus in the Security Council, but lacking in having the legal standing of a resolution, which carries the weight of international law.
The condemnation of terrorism in Syria was issued in a press statement, one rung on the ladder below that of a presidential statement, informally representing the consensus of council members.
The presidential statement endorsed the six-point proposal Annan presented to the Syrian authorities earlier this month during a visit to Damascus "to bring an end to all violence and human rights violations, secure humanitarian access and facilitate a Syrian-led political transition to a democratic, plural political system."
Shortly after the adoption of the presidential statement, Li Baodong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told Xinhua, "We call on the international community to support the mediation efforts by Annan, and create favorable conditions for his work."
"China hopes the Syrian government and the relevant parties actively support and coordinate the good-office of Annan, cease violence immediately, reflect political will and launch political dialogue as soon as possible in order to achieve an early political settlement of the Syrian crisis," Li said.
"China respects the choice of the Syrian people, supports peaceful, just and proper settlement of the Syrian crisis through political dialogues," Li said, pointing out that Syrian affairs have to be determined by the Syrian people themselves and that any foreign forces should not intervene in the internal affairs of Syria by force, or push for so-called "regime change."
Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant of Britain recalled that when Annan briefed the panel on Friday he asked "for a strong and united message in support of his mission to bring an end to the crisis in Syria. I am happy to report that this morning the Security Council has responded to that request."
Speaking to reporters, the British ambassador said, "This sends precisely the strong and united message to the Syrian government and all other actors in Syria that they need to respond and respond quickly and immediately to the six-point plan."
Annan, the former UN secretary-general, met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad twice and Syrian opposition leaders in and outside Syria during his visit to the Middle East earlier this month.
Ambassador Gerard Araud of France, another veto-wielding permanent member of the council, was asked by a reporter whether the statement supported an Arab League plan calling for political transition -- opposed by China and Russia -- or just supported Annan's roadmap.
Araud, whose mission tabled the presidential statement, replied, "This text is very clear. It refers to Kofi Annan proposals which are explicitly outlined in the text."
Araud said, "It is not a question of threat or ultimatum we are expressing our support to Kofi Annan. But of course, Annan is going to report to the Security Council on his mission and in the light of his report we will see what other steps we can consider."
Ambassador Peter Wittig of Germany, one of the 10 elected members on the council, welcomed the fact the council "at long last found a unified voice" on Syria in supporting Annan.
He said it strongly supported the envoy's efforts "to immediately bring about a ceasefire, an end to the hostilities, to get access to humanitarians, to initiate a meaningful political process."
For her part, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Washington on Wednesday that the Security Council has taken "a positive step" by adopting the presidential statement.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said, "The two documents that were released today speak for themselves and we are very pleased with the outcome."
"We are very pleased that the Security Council has finally chosen to take a pragmatic look at the situation in Syria and we have a process that we hope will continue, and that it will bring about a settlement of the crisis in Syria and lead to important political process in the country," Churkin said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined in the welcoming of the statement.
"The secretary-general is encouraged by the clear and unified message of the council, backing Annan's efforts to bring an immediate end to all violence and human rights violations, secure humanitarian access, and facilitate a comprehensive political dialogue between the Syrian government and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition," Ban said in a statement issued here by his spokesman.
"He adds his voice to the council's in calling upon the Syrian government and opposition to work in good faith with the Joint Special Envoy towards a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis, and to implement fully and immediately his initial six-point proposal submitted to the Syrian authorities."
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