Via FLC
"... 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 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 U.S.-backed resolutions condemning President Bashar Assad's crackdown on protesters, France watered down the statement to eliminate possible consideration of "further measures," which could include sanctions or military action.Instead, the presidential 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."...."
UN Reassures Support to Annan Efforts
UNSC Fails on Syria, Diluted Statement for Discussion, Annan Soon in Damscus
Local editor
The sharply divided UN Security Council failed Tuesday to reach agreement on a presidential statement for UN envoy Kofi Annan's mission in Syria.The 15-nation panel held two rounds of negotiations on a Western-drafted statement that would express "full support for Annan's peace efforts while threatening Damascus with further measures if it fails to apply the council's demands within seven days."
In an effort to secure Russian support, Western powers diluted the draft statement.
Indian Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri expressed optimism that the statement would be approved by the council. "Some people want to consult their capitals, but it will work, that's the important thing," Puri told reporters.
Other diplomats said privately that Moscow or Beijing might tell their delegations to propose further changes to the statement.
Also up for automatic approval on Wednesday is a draft of informal remarks to the press that Russia asked the council to approve. Those remarks would have the council condemn bomb attacks last weekend in the cities of Damascus and Aleppo.
In parallel, Syria's representative to the UN Bashar al-Jaafari complained that Syria is exposed to terrorist operations by terrorist groups.
In a letter sent to the UN chief, Jaafari referred to the two bombings that hit Damascus on Saturday and the third blast that hit Aleppo on Sunday.
According to Jaafari's letter, the terrorist operations come at a time when millions of Syrians are supporting the latest reforms applied by Syria and also coincided with the mission of Kofi Annan.
Jaafari called on the UN to fight terror and block any financial support from reaching the terrorists under any cover.
Meanwhile, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday that "Syria's crisis was extremely dangerous and had massive repercussions for the 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 in a speech in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
The UN chief listed three priorities: "first an immediate end to the violence- all violence- and engage in inclusive political dialogue to shape the future of Syria as civilian people want to create, and thirdly we have to provide immediately and urgently humanitarian actions."
He further disclosed that "Annan is set to return to Damascus very soon."
Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org
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