 |
| Cartoon from Russian news channel RT |
KOFI ANNAN
JOINT SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE
LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES ON SYRIA
BRIEFING TO THE SECURITY COIJNCIL
24 APRIL 2OI2
1. I speak to
you today at an important juncture in our common efforts to bring an end to violence
and abuses in Syria and launch a political process that can bring an end to the
crisis through peaceful means. I therefore appreciate this opportunity to brief
the Council.
2. Let me first
thank the Security Council for its very strong support. Your quick and unanimous
decisions to authorize the deployment of an Advance Team, and to establish the United
Nations Supervision Mission, have shown the determination of the international community
to meet the challenge of bringing a peaceful end to the Syrian crisis.
3. I wish to
warmly thank Secretary-General Ban and Secretary-General el-Araby for their continued
support for my efforts. I have been intensively engaged with a number of key
leaders in the region and internationally, and thank them for their continued
support as well. I greatly valued the backing and counsel I received when I
attended the meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Arab League in Doha
last week.
4. We must
ensure that the momentum generated by the Council's speedy decision is not lost.
The expeditious deployment of UNSMIS, subject to assessment by the
Secretary-General of the situation on the ground, is crucial. The support of
member states to the Mission, in particular through the rapid secondment of
military observers, will greatly contribute to the success of these efforts.
5. Allow me to
share with the Council my overall assessment of the situation and to draw the link
between the challenges on the ground, the deployment of the Mission, and the
broader political objectives I have in mind.
Madam
President
6. The Secretary-General,
in his letter to the Council requesting the deployment of he Mission, made
clear that the situation in Syria continues to be unacceptable. It is entirely contrary
to the will of the international community and to the interests of the Syrian
people. The Syrian authorities must implement their commitments in full, and a
cessation of violence in all its forms must be respected by all parties.
7. Deputy
Special Envoy Jean-Marie Guehénno briefed you on 19 April on the lull in fighting
that was achieved after 12 April, and the subsequent reports of escalation,
including shelling and violence in Homs. Since that briefing, reports of
violence have continued. Without comprehensive monitoring of the situation, it
is difficult to assess the level of violence, but the available reports suggest
that, taken as a whole, the level of violence has decreased across the period
since 12 April -- this, however, does not cover the spike in violence reported
yesterday.
8. The
peacekeeping department is updating you on the latest work of the Advance Team,
which is not yet in a position to monitor meaningfully the situation throughout
the country. I would like to take this opportunity to commend Hervé Ladsous,
the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and his staff at the
Department of Peacekeeping Operations, for their swift deployment of the
Advance Team under difficult circumstances and at a critical time.
9. In areas
where observers have visited, including Homs, there has largely been calm and quiet
alongside their presence on the ground. However, I am concerned by media
reports that, before and after Observer visits, government troops have been
active in civilian areas and launched attacks. I am particularly alarmed by
reports that government troops entered Hama yesterday after observers departed,
firing automatic weapons and killing a significant number of people. If
confirmed, this is totally unacceptable and reprehensible. Two observers have
been stationed in Hama today.
10. I also
continue to be concerned about reports of military actions in areas where the Advance
Team has not been present in recent days, such as Idlib and Deraa governorates,
and stress that the Government cannot cease action in one area to resume it in
another- For its part, the Government continues to provide me with reports of
attacks by armed groups inside the country, including bombings and armed attacks
on soldiers and public property.
11. I have
important information to share with you. On 21 April, the Syrian Foreign
Minister informed me that, and I quote, "the withdrawal of massed troops
and heavy weapons from around population centers is now complete and military
operations have ceased. Orders have been issued that troops are not to be moved
to protect strategic sites and centers” (end of quote). I was further informed
that, and I quote, “the task of maintaining security and law and order will be
carried out by the police and the forces of law and order, which will exercise
self-restraint" while "the Army and Armed Forces stand ready to
defend the national territory and borders against any attack from any quarter
and to protect strategic sites and centers” (end quote). The letter informed me
of the Syrian Government's view that it had completed implementation of items
2(a)(b) and (c) of the six-point plan.
12. I have
written to the Syrian Government taking note of this letter. I stated that
their communication, and I quote, “means that troops should now be back in
their barrack, with heavy weapons in storage rather than operationally deployed”
(end of quote). I further noted that my understanding of their communication
is, and I quote, “that those involved in maintaining security in civilian areas
will be police forces, operating under the principle of quote proportionate
response” (…) That principle, as well as the need not to endanger civilian
life, would certainly exclude any use of heavy weapons, which would amount to a
disproportionate response, or use of light arms for crowd control” (end of
quote). The above communication from the Syrian Government is encouraging and
should make a real difference on the ground, if it is scrupulously applied. It
should be understood that the only promises that count are the promises that
are kept.
13. Human rights
abuses have characterized much of the fighting over the past thirteen months.
They must come to an end. Any cessation of armed violence must necessarily encompass
a cessation of abuses such as summary executions, torture, arbitrary detentions,
abductions, sexual violence and other abuses against women, children and
minorities - and this applies to all sides.
Madam
President,
14. Let me turn
1o other elements of the six-point plan. Action remains partial. Steps taken so
far do not yet amount to the full and clear signal expected from the Syrian
authorities, although gestures have been made.
15. Since 12
April, demonstrations have increased, taking place in several centers
throughout Syria, particularly on the last two Fridays. Security has been
tight, and there have been unconfirmed reports of the use of live fire by
troops on some occasions.
16. I have been
informed by the Syrian authorities that 68 international journalists have been granted
visas. There does appear to be some increase in the operation of foreign journalists
in the country.
17. On 16 April
the Syrian Government released a statement saying that it has released 30 prisoners.
They had advised they had released 97 earlier. While the Syrian Government agreed
with the Red Cross on procedures for visits to places of detention to be put
into practice with a visit to Damascus and Aleppo prisons, the status and
circumstances of detainees across the country remains unclear and there
continue to be concerning reports of significant abuses, The Government must
now take a major step on the release of detainees.
18. The Syria
Humanitarian Forum convened on 20 April in Geneva and was attended by the Syrian
Government. It reached consensus on the scale of humanitarian needs and the
urgency of a response. Words now need to be converted into action. It is critical
that the Government reach an understanding with United Nations humanitarian
agencies on ways to scale up operations without further delay.
Madam
President,
19. As we look to
the way ahead, it is clear that no course of action is without risk. The challenges
to ensuring a sustained cessation of hostilities are very real: Thirteen months
of conflict and brutality have taken their toll. There is little trust across
the divide, and deep doubts remain about the genuine intent of the parties.
20. Yet the very
fragility of the situation underscores the need to put arrangements in place that
can a1low impartial supervision and monitoring. Sustained pressure and engagement
from a united international community is essential. We continue to be hampered
by the lack of verified information in assessing the situation. We need eyes
and ears on the ground, able to move freely and quickly, and to engage all
parties -- something which must be guaranteed by the Syrian authorities. This
will provide the incontrovertible basis the international community needs to
act in an effective and unified manner, increasing the momentum for a cessation
of violence to be implemented by all sides.
21. Observers
not only see what is going on, but their presence has the potential to change the
political dynamics. In this respect, you have mandated the Mission not only to
monitor a cessation of armed violence but to monitor and support fu1l implementation
of the six-point plan. The plan is designed to help put an end to violence, but
not to freeze the situation and conditions on the ground. On the contrary, its
implementation, supported by the Mission, should provide an enabling
environment for my efforts to facilitate a genuine political process.
22- In
accordance with the Secretary-General's proposal and your resolution, the
Mission has been mandated for an initial period of 90 days, and will then be
the subject of assessment and review. That is not an open-ended exercise. The
parties should understand the importance of ensuring that the Mission's work is
facilitated and effective.
23. Let me
stress the importance of the role of those states and voices with influence, including
in the region. We need the help of many to explain the work of the Observer
Mission, and to impress upon all concerned the need to cooperate with it and
pursue political issues peacefully. This can help create a conducive
environment for the Observers among all segments of Syrian society.
Madam
President.
24. I turn now
to the political process. A cessation of violence and action on the six-points
is vital to sustain a political process. Equally, a credible political process
is required if we are to sustain any long-term calm on the ground.
25. I have
stated many times what such a process should entail. It should facilitate a
political transition leading to a democratic, plural political system, in which
citizens are equal regardless of their affiliation, ethnicities or beliefs. This
requires a comprehensive political dialogue between the Syrian Government and
the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition, and the broad involvement of
Syrian society. It must be inclusive, address the legitimate concerns and aspirations
of the Syrian people, and ensure their fundamental rights. Concerns of
minorities should be addressed and particular attention should be given to
ensuring their protection and rights.
26. In this
regard, I will approach the Syrian Government at an appropriate time as part of
concerted preparations for an all-inclusive, Syrian-led political process, and
I will request the President of Syria to appoint an empowered interlocutor.
27. We have also
intensified our engagement with the opposition. It is vital that the opposition
will be able to engage effectively in a political process. We are working with members
of the opposition to help them become more inclusive and representative in
their structures and decision-making, in particular, through our recent work
with the Syrian National Council.
28. In the
coming weeks, we will continue to intensify consultations with representatives
of the Syrian parties on how to achieve a credible transition through a process
of dialogue and mediation. In addition to engaging the Government and a broad
range of opposition groups, we will also engage with civil society, including
women’s and religious groups and others. Our facilitation of this process of
political dialogue will be truly inclusive, involving broad consultations
across Syrian society and with stakeholders in the region and internationally.
Madam
President,
29. In Syria, a
hard and bloody road has been trodden for more than a year, taking us to this
point. We all know the bleak situation on the ground and the challenges ahead.
Reported events in Hama yesterday are a reminder of the risks that Syrians face
if our effort to create a sustained cessation of violence does not succeed. But
we have also seen events change – at least temporarily – in Homs, where
violence has dropped significantly in response to the presence of a very small
number of observers. This is also a reminder of the possibilities at hand –
that there is a chance to expand and consolidate the cessation of violence,
through both the deployment of the full mission, and through concerted and
united international pressure on the parties.
30. Under the
circumstances, the peace we are trying to build could never be perfect – and we
have all been shocked by events in Syria. But if we succeed, the prospects are
far better than any promised through war. Our patience has been tested severely
– close to its limits. But we have also seen sign that there is the possibility
for the parties to implement a cessation of violence, which can lead to a
political process and peaceful way out of the crisis. We must now strengthen
the conditions for a cessation of violence – and in this we all have a role to
play.
31. It is a
deeply troubling situation that we face, but we have a supreme responsibility
to do everything in our power to ensure that Syria does no descend into even
deeper conflict, with all the implications that this would entail for its
people and the region. Our commitment to peace and human rights demands that we
act now.
32. Therefore, I
thank and applaud you once again for your swift action in authorizing the
deployment of the observer mission. Let all of us with influence engage in a
concerted, sustained and joint push for peace, pressing upon all parties to the
conflict the need to commit and implement the peace plan. I urge all
governments to support the peace efforts and my mediation and to use their
influences to steer the parties in the right direction – achieving their goals
through peaceful means and a political dialogue that would lead to a stable,
democratic Syria, based on justice, respect for the rule of law and human
rights.
33. We owe this
to the people of Syria, and to the brave men and women that have been deployed
and are about to be deployed to this vital endeavor.
Thank you,
Madam President.
