UN in united call to end Syrian bloodshed
Source: Agencies |
March 22, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE previously divided United Nations Security Council sent a strong and united message to the Syrian government and opposition yesterday to immediately implement proposals by international envoy Kofi Annan to end the yearlong bloodshed.
A nonbinding statement approved by the 15 council members and read at a formal meeting spells out Annan's proposals which include a cease-fire first by the Syrian government, a daily two-hour halt to fighting to evacuate the injured and provide humanitarian aid, and inclusive Syrian-led political talks "to address the legitimate concerns of the Syrian people."
In a bid to win support from Russia and China, which have twice vetoed European and US-backed resolutions over the Syria bloodshed, France watered down the statement to eliminate possible consideration of "further measures" which could include military action.
Instead, the statement now asks Annan to update the council regularly on the progress of his mission and says that "in the light of these reports, the Security Council will consider further steps as appropriate."
Russia and China called the earlier resolutions unbalanced, saying they demanded an end only to government attacks, not ones by the opposition.
Moscow also argued that the resolutions promoted regime change in Syria and expressed fear of outside intervention to support the rebels, as happened in Libya.
"The most important (thing) is that there are no ultimate demands there, there are no threats, and no theses which would predetermine who carries more guilt," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said of the statement in Berlin.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that the crisis was alarming and had "massive repercussions" for the entire world.
"We do not know how events will unfold. But we do know that we all have a responsibility to work for a resolution of this profound and extremely dangerous crisis," Ban said.
The move came days after Annan, the UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, told the Security Council that Damascus's response to his plans for peace were disappointing.
A nonbinding statement approved by the 15 council members and read at a formal meeting spells out Annan's proposals which include a cease-fire first by the Syrian government, a daily two-hour halt to fighting to evacuate the injured and provide humanitarian aid, and inclusive Syrian-led political talks "to address the legitimate concerns of the Syrian people."
In a bid to win support from Russia and China, which have twice vetoed European and US-backed resolutions over the Syria bloodshed, France watered down the statement to eliminate possible consideration of "further measures" which could include military action.
Instead, the statement now asks Annan to update the council regularly on the progress of his mission and says that "in the light of these reports, the Security Council will consider further steps as appropriate."
Russia and China called the earlier resolutions unbalanced, saying they demanded an end only to government attacks, not ones by the opposition.
Moscow also argued that the resolutions promoted regime change in Syria and expressed fear of outside intervention to support the rebels, as happened in Libya.
"The most important (thing) is that there are no ultimate demands there, there are no threats, and no theses which would predetermine who carries more guilt," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said of the statement in Berlin.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that the crisis was alarming and had "massive repercussions" for the entire world.
"We do not know how events will unfold. But we do know that we all have a responsibility to work for a resolution of this profound and extremely dangerous crisis," Ban said.
The move came days after Annan, the UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, told the Security Council that Damascus's response to his plans for peace were disappointing.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
