Syria conference on brink failure on opening day
Source: Agencies |
July 1, 2012, Sunday
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A CONFERENCE called by special envoy Kofi Annan to end the Syria crisis appeared on the brink of failure as it opened yesterday, with the United States and Russia still divided over a role for President Bashar Assad in a transition government.
Annan seemed confident of his plan a few days ago, but Russia has refused to back a provision that would call for Assad to step down to make way for a unity government, a stance that could scuttle the deal.
The envoy warned the permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - that if they fail to act at the talks hosted by the United Nations at its European headquarters in Geneva they face an international crisis of "grave severity" that could spark violence across the region and provide a new front for terrorism.
"History is a somber judge and it will judge us all harshly if we prove incapable of taking the right path today," he said.
He appeared to specifically aim his words at Russia, Syria's most important ally, protector and arms supplier, which insists that outsiders cannot order a political solution for Syria. The US is adamant that Assad should not be allowed to remain in power at the top of the transitional government and there is little chance that the fragmented Syrian opposition would go along with any plan that does not explicitly say Bashar must go.
"While many spoke of united support for one ... some simultaneously took national or collective initiatives of their own, undermining the process," Annan said. "By being here today, you suggest the intention to show that leadership. But can you, can we, follow through?"
He said that "the way things have been going thus far - we are not helping anyone. Let us break this trend and start being of some use."
A senior US official said "discussions remain challenging. We may get there, we may not."
Russia and China, which has followed Russia's lead on Syria, have twice used their council veto to shield Syria from UN sanctions.
Iran and Saudi Arabia were not invited to the conference. The Russians objected to the Saudis, who support the Syrian opposition. The US objected to Iran, which supports Assad.
Syria has endured a particularly bloody week, with up to 125 people reported killed nationwide on Thursday alone. Since March last year, the uprising has killed some 14,000 people.
Annan seemed confident of his plan a few days ago, but Russia has refused to back a provision that would call for Assad to step down to make way for a unity government, a stance that could scuttle the deal.
The envoy warned the permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - that if they fail to act at the talks hosted by the United Nations at its European headquarters in Geneva they face an international crisis of "grave severity" that could spark violence across the region and provide a new front for terrorism.
"History is a somber judge and it will judge us all harshly if we prove incapable of taking the right path today," he said.
He appeared to specifically aim his words at Russia, Syria's most important ally, protector and arms supplier, which insists that outsiders cannot order a political solution for Syria. The US is adamant that Assad should not be allowed to remain in power at the top of the transitional government and there is little chance that the fragmented Syrian opposition would go along with any plan that does not explicitly say Bashar must go.
"While many spoke of united support for one ... some simultaneously took national or collective initiatives of their own, undermining the process," Annan said. "By being here today, you suggest the intention to show that leadership. But can you, can we, follow through?"
He said that "the way things have been going thus far - we are not helping anyone. Let us break this trend and start being of some use."
A senior US official said "discussions remain challenging. We may get there, we may not."
Russia and China, which has followed Russia's lead on Syria, have twice used their council veto to shield Syria from UN sanctions.
Iran and Saudi Arabia were not invited to the conference. The Russians objected to the Saudis, who support the Syrian opposition. The US objected to Iran, which supports Assad.
Syria has endured a particularly bloody week, with up to 125 people reported killed nationwide on Thursday alone. Since March last year, the uprising has killed some 14,000 people.
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