YouSaid · the spoken record

De Mistura

lines on the record: 707
first: 2008-01-21
most recent: 2018-12-20
sittings or episodes: 34
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“This meant selecting experts with critical technical expertise - we are talking about constitutions - and experience in constitution-drafting. It meant including Syrians from different ethnic, religious and geographical backgrounds; those from both inside and outside of Syria; and those who are known to be bridge-builders. It also meant ensuring that a minimum of 30 per cent across the entire 150 experts were women. One overarching consideration is the need for a balance in the middle third. No particular leaning should totally dominate; this will be a core component of the credibility of the committee. In addition, after having consulted the Astana guarantors, I offered suggestions and options on the mandate, chairing, steering and decision-making - we have a lot of training and experience in that at the United Nations.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“This, when combined with clear rules of procedure, would be a package to launch a credible and inclusive process for drafting a constitutional reform. Based on this formula, three lists have emerged: the list of the Government delegation, with Russia and Iran's support; the list of a broadly represented opposition delegation, with Turkey's support and that of other States as well; and, crucially, a middle third list that, consistent with resolution 2254 (2015) and Sochi, is clearly my duty and responsibility to facilitate and then to finalize. In our modest opinion, the middle third list currently on the table meets the criteria outlined in the Sochi statement. I also ensured that it was something that the United Nations could support in terms of credibility and international legitimacy.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“Of course, I have also consulted widely, including with the members of the so-called small group and others, too. And I have been continuously available and listening to Syrians - the Government, all parts of the opposition and many others too, inside and outside Syria. In these consultations, a formula on participation gained acceptance. One-third of delegates would be the Government delegation; one-third would be a broadly represented opposition delegation; and a middle third would be, as the Sochi final statement clearly says: "Syrian experts, civil society, independents, tribal leaders and women". It became clear that each third could comprise 50 members, and from each 50, 15 could be identified to play a particular role as regards drafting a constitutional reform.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“Based on those consultations, the United Nations had reason to believe that Sochi would contribute to accelerating the Geneva process. Its outcome was to be brought back to Geneva as a core component of the wider political process, and the final terms of a constitutional committee were to be facilitated by the United Nations in Geneva. True to this spirit, since the Sochi Congress I have worked carefully to facilitate the establishment of a Syrian-owned, Syrian-led, United Nations-facilitated constitutional committee. I have consulted particularly closely with Iran, Russia and Turkey, given what is logically their particular interest 4 given that they were in Sochi - and responsibility to help make the Sochi outcomes meaningful.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“My guide is and will always be resolution 2254 (2015), which mandates the United Nations to facilitate the political process. Together with my team, I have always looked for creative ways to advance resolution 2254 (2015) in light of the many political and military developments taking place all the time - a rollercoaster - but always with a view to ensuring that the political process is credible and addresses the real issues that divide Syrians. That brings me to the constitutional committee. The Secretary-General dispatched me to the Syrian Congress ofNational Dialogue in Sochi seven and a half months ago. It was a carefully considered decision, made after special consultations in Vienna with the Syrian parties and with the Russian Federation - and not just by me, but involving the Secretary-General himself, too.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“We call upon all parties to refrain from military actions that would only exacerbate an already complex situation, especially now that we are receiving such positive news regarding what could have been a dramatic military escalation. But for now, we are pleased that there is de-escalation in one major area: Idlib. And now that we have this deal, there is no reason not to move forward expeditiously with the political process. Let me turn to that process and take stock of where we stand. Syrians look to the United Nations to facilitate a political process that can help them exit this war and enter into a better future 4 a future that they determine, independently and democratically. That will require a real dialogue and genuine negotiation - a process that is credible and inclusive.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“In that context, let met also note that, just as we are seeing crisis in Idlib averted, which is very good news, we are seeing worrying military activities elsewhere. Overnight, a Russian military aircraft was downed, killing 15 servicemen. The Russian Ministry of Defence has stated that the plane was accidentally downed by Syrian Government anti-aircraft fire, which was responding to Israeli fighter jets carrying out attacks just off the coast. The Government of Syria has stated that Israelli jets struck a Government facility near Latakia. Russia has blamed Israel for this. Israel has stated that Israeli jets were targeting weapons shipments headed for Lebanon that threatened Israeli security, and has blamed the Syrian Government for the incident.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“I commend members of Syrian civil society for raising their voice. There are 3 million ofthem. They have been raising their voices. In fact, just yesterday, for instance, I received a letter signed by more than 13,000 women from Idlib, calling for protection and security for their families and reminding us that they are civilians. We therefore hope that this agreement will be expeditiously implemented in full respect for international humanitarian law; with sustained humanitarian access; with respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria; and with continued preference for dialogue - such as yesterday's - over escalation in addressing a complex situation.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“We in the Secretariat - and I believe the Secretary- General has also been very clear on this - welcome the fact that diplomacy has produced progress in the effort to address the challenges posed by Security Council- listed terrorist groups While protecting civilians - up to 3 million of them, including 1 million children. This represents the squaring of a very difficult circle. I therefore thank President Putin and President Erdogan for their personal engagement. We had hoped that they would hold that meeting, and that meeting took place and produced a very important outcome. I also believe that the strong international engagement on the dangers of a full-scale offensive in Idlib has been important. I thank everyone here because I know they have strongly raised that issue, together with my colleagues and friend Mark Lowcock.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: I welcome you to the Security Council, Mr. President. I am delighted to see you here, in view of your new important role, which in my opinion has already shown the further engagement of your country in this complex environment. I thank you for being here and for presiding over this meeting. Let me start with yesterday's developments on Idlib. They are important. As Council members know, Idlid has been a major source of concern for all of us in thic Chamber and beyond. Yesterday, Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan reached an agreement to establish a demilitarized zone within the Idlib de-escalation zone. The Government of Syria has welcomed the agreement - as we saw recently - and confirmed its full coordination with the Russian Federation in that regard.”
2018-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8355 (2018) · source
“Russia and Turkey, above all, should be the guarantors, together with Iran, of such a plan. Perhaps, the Security Council could then support it. In conclusion, I believe that we - including me - are constantly raising concerns, stating how tragic and terrible the situation could become and warning about it, while we need to have some concrete plans. I heard of one such plan from the people of Idlib.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“That would require, of course that, at the same time the Russian Federation ensure this type of plan, together with Turkey, which would be a major player in such an endeavour, and that the population be made aware and mobilized to actually express their voice to tell the fighters that there would be no aerial attacks or major military attacks on any population centre. Otherwise, all this would be futile. This is not the only plan and could be one of many; for all I know, it could be the plan that President Erdogan has proposed to President Putin. I really do not know. This plan is based on the common sense of the people whom the United Nations is supposed to represent sometimes - is that not true? - especially in the kind of situation in which they now find themselves.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“At the same time - and this is the message that I received from the population 4 a media campaign would be needed to indicate that this is what has been asked of those armed groups, namely, to move out. "Do not remain in my house. Do not remain in my city." Three million people can be mobilized in that context. Do we have examples of that? Such social mobilization has already been increasing. We have seen not only candle lights, but demonstrations without Al-Nusra's banner. There was an attempt today by Al-Nusra to actually fly its own flag. The people said, "No, we do not want that; we want just to remind everyone that we are civilians". Three million people have a voice, which they can use if they know that we are serious.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Towards Turkey or towards the Government area, where they are afraid to go? It is therefore important to avoid that effect. Secondly, we may be able to see whether we can assist separating the population de facto from the extremists and terrorists, and the terrorists from other groups. What could such a plan consist of? Ideally, all militant fighters should be provided with a deadline to move their own military presence and bases away - I repeat, away i from population centres and villages. Population centres would therefore remain under the control of the civilian local councils and local police. That would apply in particular to members of Al-Nusra, who should be notified by the guarantors - especially including Turkey, which has the capacity to send strong messages to them - to evacuate houses and villages.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“They want to use that voice. And they can use that voice in order to produce the separation we are talking about. The second assumption is that Turkey is generally very worried about a potential catastrophe. We heard that from President Erdogan. Turkey has influence - we know it, Turkey knows it - on armed groups present in the area, and it can exert that influence. Russia, Iran and the Government of Syria state that their priority is to defeat terrorists in Idlib, or at least to separate them. How can we not agree on that? If that is the case, the main objective of a plan would be to first spare the lives of civilians and to avoid a mass exodus, because that would be a problem. We can handle 700,000 or 800,000, but there are 3 million of them. In which direction will they go?”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“I believe one Government official publicly asked why the United Nations did not come up with some ideas on how to separate them. I agree that it is not easy. However, here is a potential plan: turning the table. We have been saying that there are no more Idlibs - I have been saying it and Council members have been saying it, and rightly. However, are Council members sure that within Idlib there are no more Idlibs? Let me explain: perhaps the population should not be moving away. The people that should be moving out of the population centres and the villages are the fighters - the Al-Nusra Front. That type of idea is potentially doable and is based on some assumptions. The first assumption is that the large majority, that is, 98.5 or 98.8 per cent, of the population in Idlib are civilians, and they have a voice. They are telling us that.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“We know that they are terrorists, as they have been clearly identified, but they are a small number in comparison with the 2.9 million people. Then there are almost 3 million people who are just in between and would not like to end up in between. They key word that I have been hearing, which was also mentioned in Tehran and which we have been hearing for at least three years, is "separation". How do you separate listed terrorist groups and other armed groupsthatarenotterrorists andcanbe"reconciled"-or at least one can take a different approach in addressing them - and the general population? I think there is even a reference in paragraph 4 of the joint statement made in Tehran on that. Let us therefore address that aspect. That is where we need more creativity.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“We have not seen them yet, and we are looking forward to hearing more when we meet our Turkish partners and colleagues early next week - and perhaps the Council will be hearing more about them. The signals indicate that they intend to continue talking about how to implement some ideas. On that basis, let me also propose my own idea. Actually, it is an idea I heard from civil society. I know some people say "civil society" when they may be referring to terrorists, but the people I am referring to are very normal people who have been expressing fear about being where they are and about what could happen. The key dilemma that we are hearing all the time - and it is indeed a dilemma; I feel it too - has to do with how one squares a terrible circle having to do with the fact of the presence of a number of United Nations-listed terrorists.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Let me go into some more substantive aspects. The reason that all of us were very eager to meet today is because there was an important meeting in Tehran among the Heads of State of Iran, Turkey and Russia. As we are aware, they have been intensely discussing future formulas for Idlib. We do not know the details of what was discussed or what the outcome is. What I got from their meeting is that time is needed and time is of the essence. I hope that more time will be given for discussions among them and among all of us in order to avoid what we all call, and President Erdogan repeated again today, a potential catastrophe. There were reports that President Erdogan put some ideas on the table, and I understand that they were quite substantive.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“It is true that many of the fighters who were evacuated - or decided to reconcile, evacuate or whatever the terminology was - also went there, but they are a very small group in comparison with those I am referring to. In their letter, the women stated: "We invite you, Mr. De Mistura, to Idlib to see for yourself and tell everyone in the world that we are civilians of Idlib whose voices have been silenced and are not being heard. Civilians have been suffering over the past years, and we are hoping that they will not have to suffer any longer. We want a country without war, and we want a future in which we can live." They too are against terrorism, but they cannot show that because the situation is very difficult. However, they are not expecting to be bombed while terrorists are being identified or addressed.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: I thank you, Madam President, for again giving me the floor. For this meeting is potentially crucial, as we continue to hope that the meeting in Tehran will be as well - from what we hear, there have been important discussions. Time is of the essence. Let me start with a picture. I do not know whether Council members can see it properly, but depicted here is an image of women holding candles. They are civilians, as are 98.8 per cent of the people in Idlib. They are our top priority. I received a letter from 1,000 women in Idlib - women and mothers, not terrorists - who have been urging all ofus to remember that they are civilians, internally displaced people, teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, writers and homemakers, and that they come from many parts of Syria. Idlib therefore symbolizes the mosaic that is Syria.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: Based on your authorization and your request, Madam President, I have no problem in doing so. In fact, all of our proposals are, and should be, public. I will gladly present that information. I only ask to truly be given a chance to do so. I would not like to miss the chance to actually make a proposal and then see whether anyone else has other proposals. I will be happy as long as we do not simply stop at saying that this is a horrible thing and that we hope it does not happen.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Any idea or proposal to avoid this situation from becoming the biggest humanitarian tragedy at the end of the most horrible conflict in recent memory should at least be given a chance.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“They have held peaceful demonstrations and lighted candles at night to show that normal people live in each of the houses, not necessarily terrorists. They make up 3 million civilians. I have been inspired by what they have been telling me. They have been asking us - the United Nations, through the Council - to also express our voices. In that context, since we are addressing the question of separating terrorists from others, protecting civilians and giving a voice to civilians, and as I have been asked if we the United Nations have any ideas, I would like to share that we do have some ideas, and I will take the liberty of elaborating on them when we meet in private.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Either we are trying to find a political way to end the war and move to a post-war political scenario, or we will see the war reach new levels of horror. That is why today's meeting in Tehran is so important, and why I am convening Iran, Russia and Turkey in Geneva on Monday and Tuesday, and Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and the United States on Friday. It will be the ultimate failure of the imagination and an end of diplomacy if with those efforts we simply see an increase in military activity. Let me conclude with two points. I have seen many people - civilians - from Idlib today, including women, noble doctors, farmers and people of all kinds, approximating almost 3 million.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“That must not happen again. I cannot stress enough the danger associated with any alleged use of those weapons, not only in humanitarian terms but also when it comes to the acute threat to maintaining international peace and security. I equally strongly underscore that the overwhelming majority of civilians killed in Syria have been victims of indiscriminate, or sometimes targeted, attacks against them using conventional weapons. Such attacks re also abhorrent and unacceptable. All the talk ofan assault that could produce a perfect storm in Idlib is happening at exactly the same time as serious talk about moving forward on a constitutional committee and about desires to urge Syrian refugees to return to their country. Those narratives do not square well with each other.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“We must allow the opening of a sufficient number of protected voluntary evacuation routes for civilians in any direction f east, north and south. For that, the United Nations must be granted access to scale. The United Nations stands ready, including myself and surely all of my colleagues of the humanitarian team, to work with all parties on the spot and elsewhere on the modalities and parameters for establishing a functioning evacuation route, if it were required, with full respect for international humanitarian law and human rights principles. Let me further reiterate the Secretary-General's clear position that any use of chemical weapons is totally and completely unacceptable. As the Organization on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has found, the norm against the use of chemicals weapons has been repeatedly violated in Syria.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“I look also to other key actors, including Gulf and many other countries, that have leverage over non-terrorist armed opposition groups to do whatever they can to ensure that they put civilians first and separate from Al-Nusra. I am concerned about reports that many groups - although not all - have become increasingly desperate, and in some cases ruthless. My colleague John Ging, from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, will brief members of the Council on what must happen on the humanitarian side to protect civilians and on the humanitarian response plan. But let me emphasize that people should be granted safe passage to places of their own choosing, if they want to leave temporarily.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“That is why we are urging ourselves and all stakeholders to contribute to finding a formula to prevent a terrible tragedy, while at the same allowing the issue of Security Council-designated terrorist groups to be addressed. The declaration issued by Presidents Putin, Erdogan and Rouhani states that they have decided to address the situation in Idlib "in the spirit of cooperation that characterized the Astana format". We do not have many more details on that. We would like to see what that means in practice in order to address the issue. They are the guarantors of the last de-escalation area, and therefore have direct influence - and, frankly, responsibility - on how to solve it. I am sure Idlib is at the top of their agenda, as was shown in the Tehran meeting.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Civilians are its potential victims, and there are ever-present dangers in the case of a full-scale assault of incidents or rapid escalations involving regional and international players. Let us remember that there is no Idlib after Idlib to which people can be evacuated, or at least feel safer in during a battle. There must another way than an all-out military escalation. The Security Council cannot accept that the civilians of Idlib must meet that type of fate. Efforts to combat terrorism do not supersede obligations under international law and the moral conscience of humankind. We must put the sanctity of civilian human life above everything else.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“I note in that context that, at the end of August, Turkey made it clear that it views Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham - the Al-Nusra Front - as a terrorist organization, thereby sending a strong signal to armed groups to separate from Al-Nusra from now on. With statements and counter-statements regarding potential chemical-weapons use, we have warnings and counter- warnings about the dangers of a major assault on Idlib, and we have seen an intensified military presence in the region. I have laid out to the members of the Security Council all of the ingredients for a perfect storm. The dangers are profound, in that any battle for Idlib would be a horrific and bloody battle.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Many of those armed opposition groups - that are not terrorist groups - have pleaded publicly for the Astana guarantors to secure a non-military solution. Since early August, almost every single armed opposition group in Idlib has now come under the banner of what is called the "national liberation front". That includes various groups that have been operating under the same banner as the Al-Nusra Front in the past. If that is confirmed, which is what we seem to be hearing, that can be taken as a sign of their own willingness to separate from Al-Nusra. We hope that they will now take even further steps to separate themselves from listed terrorist groups.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Air strikes and mutual artillery shelling have been reported on its perimeter for the past months, resulting in deaths and injuries on both sides, with an intensification since 4 September. Meanwhile, the leader of what they call the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham - basically the Al-Nusra Front, and let us call them by name - has publicly signalled the group's intention to fight. On 2 September, photos of weaponized drones were circulated online after landing in the Al-Ghab plain. Ostensibly, the same models of Russian Federation planes were used to carry out several attacks on the Khmeimim air base in recent months. For their part, armed opposition groups in Idlib have reportedly been fortifying their own positions, digging tunnels and trenches and detonating bridges.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“At the same time, they have indicated that, first, the Government would prefer so- called reconciliation agreements rather than military action; secondly, Russian-Turkish understanding is crucial; and, thirdly, Syria does not want a confrontation with Turkey. Those are recent statements made by Syrian Government officials. Russia has been engaged in intense dialogue with Turkey in particular and, as the Council knows, all eyes are on what could transpire, or has transpired, following the summit meeting of the Presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey, which just concluded in Tehran. Meanwhile, reports suggest increased deployments of Government and affiliated forces and equipment near the Idlib de-escalation zone - yes, that used to be, and still is officially, a de-escalation zone.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Terrorist groups on the Security Council's list are also present, including non-Syrians, foreign fighters and those who have committed terrible acts in many other places. There are also armed opposition groups, many ofwhom have been evacuated to Idlib through reconciliation agreements and are not members of terrorist groups. An overwhelming number ofpeople in Idlib - 98.5 per cent - are civilians. President Al-Assad has stated that restoring sovereignty and defeating terrorists remain the priority of the Syrian Government. Senior Government officials have also stated that retaking Idlib is the next goal. Senior Iranian and Russian officials have spoken in strong terms about their own determination to purge terrorists from Idlib.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: I thank you, Madam President, for this opportunity to address the Security Council. We believe that the timing is very appropriate, in particular because the focus is on Idlib. We have been hearing about it over the past few days. We are all terribly concerned because all of the elements exist for a perfect storm, with potentially devastating humanitarian and other consequences. First of all, let me provide a summary of the facts. I am sure that John Ging will be able to refer to some of the humanitarian aspects. The best available and independent assessment of the United Nations estimates that there are at least 2.9 million people in Idlib. I repeat 2.9 million people 4 almost 3 million, in fact. Among them are 1 million children, and 1.4 million people who have already been displaced at least once.”
2018-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8345 (2018) · source
“The United Nations believes that there is an urgent need for high-level diplomacy to support de-escalation, avoid any miscalculation and ensure a genuine communication system about a sustainable end to the conflict. With the support of the Secretary-General, we will increase our own efforts to contribute to that endeavour, including by offering further ideas and -if required, which we hope it will be - bridging proposals.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“We stand ready to facilitate discussions on both. Let me stress that a critical component of either aspect of the political process is active, continuous and positive United Nations engagement with the Syrian parties. I repeat once again that we stand ready, today as always, to engage with the Syrian Government in Damascus. We will also continue our contacts with the opposition and Syrian civil society. To unlock and lock those two aspects, careful diplomacy is required more than ever - careful, but proactive diplomacy, including at a high level. Hence, we look with interest to the forthcoming visits to Moscow and meetings of Chancellor Merkel and, later on, President Macron with President Putin, which undoubtedly will not avoid the issue of a political process in Syria.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“We, as well as other United Nations partners, are seeking clarifications on the law's goals and repercussions, especially for refugees and IDPs who do not have access to legal documentation. Let me conclude with two bottom lines. First, de-escalation is critical between the Syrian and international stakeholders, both regional and global. We hope that the relevant players can re-establish some overarching rules of the road in that regard. We stand ready to facilitate such a discussion, with focused support from the Council and key countries for the good offices of the Secretary-General and myself. Secondly, we must revive the political process in terms of the constitutional committee, as well as in terms of some initial steps towards the establishment of a safe, calm and neutral environment.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“I committed to translating our collective commitment to that inclusion into concrete measures, and I will count on the Council's support to keep that promise. For instance, in future intra-Syrian talks, I will insist that the relevant number of seats be reserved exclusively for Syrian women. When I am criticized, I hope that the Council will support me. I know it will not be popular, but it needs to be done. Let me briefly touch on an issue that was raised by the civil society in Brussels and by many Syrians elsewhere who have been writing to us, that is, the possible implications of the newly adopted Law No. 10. We are quite aware of the concerns surrounding that law.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“Let me also note the important contribution of Syrian civil society in Brussels, in particular during a side event organized by the EU and my own Office. Those present did not shy away from debating with one another constructively and intensively on complex issues, such as transitional justice and sanctions. They all demanded the release of all detainees, abductees and missing persons. They all affirmed that any political solution must protect the right of refugees and IDPs. Despite their differences, Syrians - Syrian civil society - displayed a genuine commitment to dialogue and a spirit of negotiation that I hope can be replicated in the formal negotiations. In Brussels I also met with a group of Syrian women activists who stressed that not enough has been done to secure the direct participation of Syrian women in the political process.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“I was also pleased to see a significant number of Member States reaffirm the primacy of the United Nations-led Geneva process, in general, and the need for a constitutional committee working under United Nations auspices, when I was at the EU-United Nations Brussels conference from 24 to 25 April. Those at the conference nearly unanimously reiterated the message that the only solution to the crisis will be political and that only such a political solution will pave the way for reconstruction efforts. Also in Brussels, we saw the entire United Nations system highlight the increasing needs of millions of Syrians, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and neighbouring countries hosting refugees.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“We are assessing a number of creative options to update, revive and advance the Geneva-based political process. Let me state for the record that the United Nations remains ever-mobilized and -ready to work on the formation of a constitutional committee in accordance with the final statement of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi. I therefore welcome the intention of the Astana guarantors to actively and regularly engage with the United Nations in Geneva so as to see through a concrete follow-up to the statement since its adoption three and a half months ago.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“However, those commonalities risk getting glossed over, especially in the absence of serious international dialogue. I will say more on that later. During my tour, my message to all was the need - now more than ever 4 for robust, strong, proactive and urgent dialogue and consensus at the international level to create the minimum conditions necessary for a realistic and credible political process. As we know, much water has flowed under the bridge and much has happened since resolution 2254 (2015) was adopted. We are therefore becoming increasingly realistic and know that we need a credible political process that takes into account the current situation and does not forget resolution 2254 (2015). As the Secretariat, we are not sitting idle in that regard.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“Ramzy, was also in the region this past weekend in continuous political contact with regional stakeholders, and my chief of political affairs, Mr. Robert Dann, is visting China as we speak to exchange views with officials of that important member of the Security Council. What did I learn from that long tour? Not surprisingly, I returned to Geneva with a mixed picture. Clearly, significant differences remain, but there is also much common ground and interest on the need, first, to de-escalate, secondly, to form a constitutional committee under the auspices of the United Nations, thirdly, to facilitate the establishment of a safe, calm and neutral environment - leading to our shared goals in the political process - and, fourthly, to respect Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“Over a period of two weeks, I conducted an exhaustive tour of consultations with members of the League of Arab States; representatives of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq; the European Union (EU) High Representative; representatives of several key European countries, Turkey, the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran; and all members of the Council, during what I believe was a very productive and useful retreat in Sweden; United States authorities during my visit to meet with them in Washington, DC, several days ago; and also the Syrian Government and the opposition, with whom I had constructive discussions on the sidelines of the Astana meeting over the past two days. My deputy, Mr.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“As it is a matter of preliminary discussions, I hope that we will see progress with regard to that complex issue at the working group's next meeting, which we understand will be held in Ankara. De-escalation is indispensable, as the Syrians themselves are telling us, but it is only one of the ingredients necessary to move forward the political process. We also need to overcome concrete challenges to meaningfully follow through with the Geneva process so as to implement resolution 2254 (2015). As instructed by the Secretary-General, I have consulted with a broad spectrum of relevant stakeholders and proactively identified options for a meaningful relaunch of the United Nations-facilitated Geneva process.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“While fully stressing the need to respect Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, we saw at first-hand the parties engage actively on how to avoid a worst-case scenario in Idlib. Moreover, the working group, of which the United Nations is a member and a proactive supporter - as hundreds of thousands of people in Syria expect of us - held its second meeting on the release of detainees, abductees and bodies, and on the identification of missing persons. The members of the working group held constructive discussions on practical and concrete steps to address that key humanitarian issue. The guarantors informed us that they have secured the parties' support - which, if confirmed, is good news - for the activities taking place under the auspices of the working group, which is a positive development.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“Conflict there might entail confrontations with those forces, thereby leading us down a slippery slope towards regional or potential international conflict. Therefore, discussions at the international level on how to prevent that and on de-escalation are needed, and, although they are taking place, they also need to be very intensive. I was therefore very encouraged to see concrete discussions on de-escalation when I attended the ninth high-level Astana meeting yesterday, which covered the issue of Idlib in particular, as the three guarantors have a say and the means to avoid it. That round of discussions in Astana saw constructive discussions on how that might be achieved.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source
“Many of them are reportedly traumatized and in urgent need of assistance and protection. Humanitarian partners are overwhelmed and stretched quite thin by the scale of those evacuations, but continue to do their utmost to respond to the growing needs, with the Council's assistance. Returning to the topic of Idlib, if a Ghouta scenario were to play out there, the situation could be six times worse, affecting 2.3 million people, half of whom are already internally displaced and would have nowhere else to go. But that is not purely a question of the Syrians" suffering. We fear that any substantial escalation in Idlib, Dar'a or in the north-east might also result in risks not only to Syrian civilians, but also for international peace and security. As we know, many of those areas contain external and international forces.”
2018-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8260 (2018) · source