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

“In this context, I also wish to stress that more than 200 - I repeat, 200 - civil society actors will be engaged here in Geneva in the United Nations-led political process over the coming weeks as part of the intra-Syrian talks. In the coming days, the Women's Advisory Board will be fully engaged once again, just as I hope it will be in the real negotiations. I will engage a group of Syrian legal and constitutional experts and hear their advice and expertise. I will engage with a civil society organization with human rights expertise, including on detainees, abductees and missing persons. Aided by technology, we will be able to get in touch with refugee community leaders in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, and with civil society actors working in hard-to-reach and besieged areas. All of this will be done from here in Geneva.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“And as I do so, I will remind them that the time has come to demonstrate, not to us, but to the Syrian people, that they care about their survival, their lives and the lives of their loved ones through immediate, unhindered, sustained humanitarian access, medical evacuations from the besieged areas, a willingness to address the plight of detainees, abductees and missing persons, and a concrete beliefin negotiations on a political process. Throughout the process, various ideas have emerged on a wider gathering of Syrian stakeholders. Indeed, the Geneva process itself does call for such a gathering of Syrians, and I have been building the foundation for it by inviting Syrians from all walks of life, from inside and outside, to participate.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“Syria's engagement in and negotiation on these matters should proceed on the basis of resolution 2254 (2015) and be guided by the 12 living principles developed during the process, which project a clear vision for the future of Syria that can be shared by all. I believe that, with good will, it should be possible to bridge the gaps regarding these principles. If possible, we will also begin to explore issues pertaining to baskets l and 4: governance and counter-terrorism, and security governance and confidence-building measures. I will engage all those in Geneva in discussion on all of this. I will share with them thoughts on and a work plan for the negotiation process.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“Members will recall that that resolution culminates in the end goal of free and fair elections held under United Nations supervision and meeting the highest standards of accountability and transparency, with all Syrians, including members of the Diaspora, eligible to vote. This includes refugees, of course; there can be no exclusion. The elections must be preceded by the popular ratification of a new constitution. The draft constitution should be prepared through an inclusive process and according to an inclusive schedule set, as resolution 2254 (2015) says, via a process in Geneva. Clearly, the drafting and approval process must be include everyone. A national dialogue and/or national conference would be important components of the overall process.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“I will also assess, as a mediator should do, the parties' engagement by what they do in the room, how positively they engage on a work plan, and whether they show genuine readiness to discuss and negotiate, regardless of their publicly stated positions on any issue. We know there will always be differences; that is why negotiations are needed. All sides have the right to express their opinions, which may not be pleasant for the other to hear, as long as they do not put preconditions or refuse to talk to the other side. That is what negotiations are all about. Resolution 2254 (2015) is a guideline for this endeavor. What, then, will the work plan look like, more or less? We can get an idea by working backwards from the end goal of resolution 2254 (2015).”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“I noted that the delegation was tasked to negotiate in Geneva without any preconditions, to discuss all issues on the agenda and to use the implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions as the sole reference for the negotiations. Assuming that both parties arrive in Geneva, we will seek to assist them in commencing serious discussions and, I hope, negotiations. I should like to make one thing in particular clear - we will not accept any precondition from either party. Let us be clear what a precondition is. It is when one party says "I will not begin to negotiate with the other side unless they do or say the following ...". I hope that both parties hear this message.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“After I left to travel to Moscow for useful consultations, Foreign Minister Lavrov and I were both active in assisting the efforts of Saudi Foreign Minister Al-Jubeir, whose determined efforts we really should be appreciating in order to obtain the outcome that we saw. The Syrian High Negotiations Commission formed in Riyadh is arriving in Geneva as we speak. I expect all arrivals from various locations to be complete by tomorrow morning. I publicly noted that participation in Riyadh was an unequivocal rejection of terrorism and an affirmation that the only solution to the crisis is political and not military. I noted that a united opposition delegation was formed, its composition reflecting that of conference participation.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“Armed groups controlling territory inside Syria, including those involved in Astana and the various de-escalation arrangements, were active participants in Riyadh. There was finally significant participation by women. There was a strong presence of independents, including activists, business people and tribal figures. Several parties based inside Syria were actually represented through their own political umbrellas. As the Riyadh initiative was clearly designed within the framework of advancing resolution 2254 (2015) and the Geneva process, which speaks clearly of three by name and others, I was glad to attend it to urge the participants to move ahead. I therefore took note of the international attendees at the opening of the conference, including Russian President's Special Envoy Lavrentiev.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“Last night, we received a message that the Government would not travel to Geneva today. Naturally, we hope, and indeed expect, that the Government will be on its way shortly, particularly in light ofPresident Al-Assad's commitment to President Putin when they met in Sochi. Turning our attention to the opposition, last week over three intensive days - and I witnessed at least one and a half, if not two of them - an expanded opposition conference was convened in Riyadh. The participants reflected components of the Syrian mosaic and the ideological diversity within the Syrian opposition and society. Resolution 2254 (2015) mentions three meetings by name: Riyadh, Cairo and Moscow. They were all present.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“The statement of the two Presidents followed their taking note of what they termed "President Assad's recent commitment to the Geneva process and constitutional reform and elections as called for under United Nations Security Council resolution 2254 (2015)". As a mediator, I also noted that President Al-Assad said in Sochi, after meeting President Putin on 24 November, "We do not want to look back. We will accept and talk with anyone, who is really interested in a political settlement". Notwithstanding those potential interesting and frankly, important signals, when my Deputy, Ambassador Ramsay, held consultations in Damascus with the Government over the weekend, the Government had not yet confirmed its participation in Geneva, but indicated that we would be hearing from it soon.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“International players are clearly looking for some common ground based on the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015), resulting from our urging Syrians to begin to find some common ground, too. In Danang, President Putin of Russia and President Trump of the United States affirmed that the political process "[m]ust include the full implementation of United Nations Security Council 2254 (2015), including constitutional reform and free and fair elections under the United Nations supervision, held to the highest international standards of transparency, with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate".”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“Secondly, we need a united opposition delegation with common positions that will come ready to negotiate. Thirdly, negotiations will take place in Geneva and with no preconditions. Fourthly, they should initially negotiate a work plan, focusing on the essential 12 living principles and the constitutional and electoral issues with a view towards implementing resolution 2254 (2015). Fifthly, all other initiatives should support the United Nations mediation process that the Security Council has mandated that the United Nations alone conduct. We have seen signals on all those points, and we will now see what happens in Geneva. I note with great interest that in Danang, Sochi and Riyadh, important meetings have taken place that might help us, in my opinion, to begin a genuine negotiation process in Geneva.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“I still believe that the moment of truth has arrived, although I want to register my serious concern over the tremendous escalation of violence in eastern Ghouta in recent weeks and the ongoing restrictions of humanitarian access in that area. As ISIL is being defeated, neither side should turn their guns back on the de-escalation areas. I therefore would like to urge, together with those present, the Astana guarantors to address those challenges in order to avoid the problem reaching the de-escalation areas. With respect to the talks, in order to prepare for real talks in Geneva I have been calling and asking for real diplomacy. My messages have essentially been the following. First, the Government delegation should come ready to negotiate.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: I am briefing members of the Council from Geneva as we prepare for the eighth round of the United Nations convened intra-Syrian talks. Allow me to explain how we got here over the past month and decided on the approach to the talks at the moment. Last month (see S/PV.8076), as those present will remember, I said that after Raqqa and after Deir eZ-Zor - and let us now perhaps also say after the Government of Syria recently defeated the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in its last stronghold of Abu Kamal - the operation to combat and defeat the territorial foothold of ISIL in Syria would have completed its main tasks and there would be a moment of truth to bring about a real political process.”
2017-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8113 (2017) · source
“We should look at any initiative by virtue of whether it contributes to the United Nations-led political process in Geneva, which the Council has mandated me to pursue on behalf of the Secretary-General and the Council. That is my summary of, ifI can put it this way, a bottom line wish list. The President (spoke in French) I thank Mr. De Mistura for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Security Council who wish to make statements.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“Secondly, those with influence over the Government should use it in order to get them ready to negotiate substance in Geneva. Thirdly, the same applies to those with influence over the opposition. The meeting of the opposition in Riyadh should take place as soon as possible and lead to a constructive and proactive outcome. Fourthly, we need active international engagement in support of the Geneva process. Fifthly, the eighth round oftalks is planned for 28 November. We will try to move into real negotiations on the constitution and elections supervised by the United Nations, as laid out in resolution 2254 (2015). In parallel, we should, of course, keep exploring the issue of governance and terrorism.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“Perhaps we may hear more about that during our closed consultations, including from the Permanent Representative of Russia. I look forward to hearing that, as well as the views of other members of the Council. In looking at Riyadh, at Astana and at anything else, my focus is always the same. Does it help to advance the United Nations-led process in Geneva, as laid out in resolution 2254 (2015), or not? Here are some bottom lines. First, it is time to move forward on the political track. It is really a plastic special moment. Let us use it. After Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, I used to say, as the Council probably remembers, that there would be a moment of truth. Now is the moment of truth. Next week in Astana could be crucial for the stabilization of the de-escalation areas.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“As I always do, I urge the Syrian parties and international supporters to strongly support that call. Fourthly, let us remember the regional and international dimensions of Syria. I am doing my best as the mediator to consult a large number of groups and focus international discussions on how to concretely support the Geneva process. Frankly, I welcome any suggestions from the Council on how that can be done. In that regard, I welcome initiatives through which the international community could come together in supporting the efforts of the United Nations. Finally, I wish to bring to the Council's attention the fact that, when I was in Moscow, the Russian Federation briefed me regarding their own initiative to convene a large gathering of Syrians in Syria at the Russian air base in Khmeimim in the near future.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“Thirdly, we need to see a successful second meeting in Riyadh - soon, and ideally before the next Geneva meetings. We will continue to coordinate on that. We have now heard about the fact that that initiative is actually likely to take place. We sincerely hope that the initiaive, originated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the key meeting in Riyadh of 2015, will be followed- up when Saudi Arabia hosts the second meeting of the opposition in Riyadh. We hope that it proceeds accordingly. It would be a mistake if we think that time is on our side. The best way to proceed requires intensified engagement among the key players in support of the Geneva process. Let me say that advocates of Syrians' women's rights are calling for a minimum of 30 per cent representation in the delegations of both the Government and the opposition as negotiators.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“We hope to see a successful focus meeting in Astana on 30 and 31 October. In that regard, I already flagged the challenges to the de-escalation arrangements and the importance of advancing the detainee file. We must also ensure that humanitarian mine action moves forward. We have a common interest in preventing the further unravelling of the interim de-escalation and ceasefire arrangements that have been put in place. That is what Astana was always meant to be about, and that is what we want, and hope, they will fully achieve. Secondly, those with influence over the Government should now exercise that influence and focus on how to ensure that it comes to Geneva ready to negotiate. I particularly raised those points in details in my meetings in Moscow - quite intensely.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“As we focus on negotiations on those two key points - United Nations-supervised elections as per resolution 2254 (2015) and the constitution - we must continue discussions in preparation for negotiations on all baskets, including 1 and 4. It is hard to see how that could in fact proceed without looking at it in the context of resolution 2254 (2015). We will also do everything possible to ensure that we draw on the best contributions of civil society, through the civil society support room we have here in Geneva, and utilize women's contributions and a gender perspective, including via the women's advisory board, especially on the two main issues for the negotiations in the eighth round, which I just mentioned. I need the Council's support to move ahead based on what I have said here; let me first indicate in which areas.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“Negotiations should then be informed by the overall framework of resolution 2254 (2015), as I already said, and by the existing 12 essential principles. In that regard, I am ready to put to the parties initial thoughts as a starting point for serious negotiations. I also believe that the time has come for a serious step on detainees, abductees and missing persons. I genuinely hope that could emerge from the next Astana meeting. Indeed, we have already made some advance suggestions on how to build on it. We need to continue to push for progress however we can, as that is probably one of the most important confidence-building measures that Syrians, thousands of them, would like to hear.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“I have asked for focus and realism because we need to get the parties into real negotiations over items where there is some prospect that they could begin to narrow the gap and really negotiate. Applying that logic, my considered assessment as the mediator is that for the eighth around - and I would like to ask the Council's support on this i we should see if we can move some aspects of the agenda concretely forward, far beyond just exploration, and enter into negotiation. Specifically, in my opinion, in the eighth round we should focus on two main points: first, the schedule and process for drafting a new constitution and, secondly, but not necessarily in that order, the precise requirements for United Nations- supervised elections as per resolution 2254 (2015).”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“I am now engaging with a range of other contacts, including with Syrian and regional players. Accordingly, I wish to indicate to the Council - in fact, announce - my intention to convene the eighth round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva on 28 November. I will continue to consult everyone concerned in that regard prior to that date. We intend to hold formal plenary meetings as well as technical discussions over a period of time. The work plan for the eighth round in Geneva will be framed by resolution 2254 (2015) and the four baskets, which each need to find an expression in the framework agreement to realize a transitional political process in implementing resolution 2254 (2015).”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“I was in Moscow last week to see Russian Federation Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defence Minister Shoygu, as well as in Brussels to see the European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and discuss with her possibilities for how the Brussels conference in the spring could support the political process - which I hope will be well established by that time. Also, yesterday in Washington, DC, I met with the United States National Security Advisor, Mr. McMaster, and I have just come to brief the Council following a meeting with United States Secretary of State Tillerson here in Geneva. That is why I must apologize to the Council for not being able to be there in person. I also consulted with the Secretary-General earlier this week while in New York and received very clear guidance.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“Our goal is the realization ofa truly nationwide ceasefire and a political process to advance the implementation of the Geneva communique (S/2012/522, annex) and resolution 2254 (2015). Thirdly, the Security Council has clearly mandated the United Nations - through me as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and of the Council - to convene and advance the intra-Syrian political negotiation process for a political solution to the conflict, and no one else. I have therefore been carefully preparing a new round of talks.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“Lowcock. It is therefore a very mixed picture. Terrorism is on the defensive, but it will not be defeated by military means alone. De-escalation arrangements are sometimes being seriously challenged, but they are working. The next Astana meeting should therefore focus on putting the existing de-escalation arrangements back on track and on finalizing the establishment of a proper monitoring system. That is vital in order to see real action on the humanitarian front as well. Let me now turn to the political process. Let us recall that, first, any de-escalation or any other arrangement must be interim in nature and should not lead to the de facto "soft" partitioning of Syria. Secondly, the United Nations remains committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Syria, as do all Council members.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“The desired improvements in humanitarian access therefore continue to elude us, owing to many factors: the ongoing fighting in some areas, bureaucratic impediments and interference by parties to the conflict. Those with influence must work to enable the United Nations and its partners to deliver assistance by whatever modalities are available - cross-line, cross- border or regular programmes. With a genuine sense of civic duty and commitment to support their own fellow Syrians, we are constantly hearing messages coming from civil-society organizations, which are continuing to express alarm at the impact of the conflict on the protection of civilians who are still being affected, including the killing of civilians and a lack of humanitarian access. We all share that concern, which is the reason I share it. Again, I will leave it to Mr.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“This might be attributed to the actions ofTahrir al- Sham/Al-Nusra, but in other areas - eastern Ghouta, southern Damascus and the Rastan triangle - there has been a trend of re-escalation rather than de-escalation, whichwe fear might intensify if energies are directed away from fighting Da'esh to somewhere else. Let me also register my concern that we are not seeing any increased humanitarian access in the de-escalation areas and elsewhere, as we had wished. But I will leave it to my colleague Mark Lowcock to refer to that in due time. As the Council is aware, we have seen some shocking images, which we cannot independently verify, allegedly emerging in the past few days from eastern Ghouta. Again, I will leave that for Mr. Lowcock to elaborate on.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“Without an inclusive political process, there is a real threat that Da'esh or similar entities could return and exploit the feelings of marginalization and grievance. That is why we need a political process. On another note, it is also clear that some recent public ceremonies in Raqqa did not send the right signal - indeed, they sent the wrong signal - about inclusion. Meanwhile, apart from the south-west, where via the Amman arrangements the overall level of violence remains reduced, despite some flashpoints in Bayt Jinn, we are receiving numerous reports of heavy shelling and even air strikes in Idlib and Hama.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: Let me update the Security Council on developments and lay out some of the plans that we have for the next round of the intra- Syrian talks in Geneva. I shall then brief the Council on some of the other potential initiatives. We are seeing very significant developments in the fight against United Nations-proscribed terrorists in Syria. Raqqa has been liberated by the United States- led coalition and Mayadin by the Syrian Government and its allies. Action continues to eliminate the remaining Da'esh pockets in Deir ez-Zor. By and large, the deconfliction among the parties fighting Da'esh is working so far, but we also see Da'esh retreating into the desert and launching brutal assymetric attacks in and near Damascus.”
2017-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8076 (2017) · source
“That is why the time has come for the focus to return to Geneva, and for the intra-Syrian talks to take place under the auspices of the United Nations, specifically the Security Council. This is the only forum in which the transitional political process envisaged by the Council in resolution 2254 (2015) can be developed with the Syrian parties themselves, with the full legitimacy, which is what the United Nations provides, and the backing of the international community. We have a month until those talks, and we want everyone to work during that month. Let us use it to prepare well for the upcoming talks.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“Infrastructure, particularly civilian infrastructure, has been destroyed on an unimaginable scale, and internationally proscribed terrorists groups, even if they are on the back foot today - and they are - have shown their resilience in other places of the world in surviving battlefield reverses and thriving again - which they will or could - if there is no new political compact that enables society to make the transition towards a shared, inclusive and democratic future. The need to address the unmet grievances that exist in Syria is apparent to me from the range of Syrian voices who are aligned neither with Government nor with the opposition but who say that they do have grievances.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“We need to remember that hundreds of thousands are dead and that millions carry the physical or psychological wounds of a brutal conflict. Millions have been displaced, either within Syria or beyond, even as some - and we are glad to see this - are trying to return home. Thousands have been detained, thousands have disappeared - many without a trace, and with no progress on the revelation of their fate.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“That conference should be the time and place for the opposition, with the encouragement of those who have influence over it - some of Whom are in the Chamber - to ensure that it comes together and presents a strategic approach to the negotiation process towards realizing the vision, which remains the same, contained in resolution 2254 (2015). The United Nations is ready to support this vision and approach in any way it can. I would like to caution all sides against illusions of victory or dreams of shortcuts. There is no substitute for an United Nations, internationally supported process based in Geneva on a comprehensive and inclusive approach that also helps Syrians to rediscover a modicum of trust and social cohesion after this bitter conflict.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“No one is asking the opposition to suddenly stop being the opposition, but we are urging the opposition to realize that it is most credible and effective when it stands together and shows readiness to negotiate, which means give and take. In that regard, there has frankly been a lot of hard work up until now in our Office. We facilitated valuable technical work on the three opposition platforms from May to July. The opposition should be urged now to take the opportunity presented by the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to convene what they call an inclusive Riyadh 2 conference, which we hope and trust will take place in October, before the Geneva talks and before Astana.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“It is important that those States that are friends of the Syrian Government encourage it to show its readiness to move forward, including on the substance of resolution 2254 (2015), the agenda of the baskets, notjust in broad terms but in specifics, with details, sequencing and implementation modalities. We know that this will not be easy, but the process has to be started, and the United Nations will be more than willing to be a broker in enabling real negotiations with the opposition. For its part, the opposition, we believe, also has an interest in and a duty now to signal that it does want to speak with one voice and with a common platform in genuine negotiations with the Government on the four baskets and on the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015).”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“I also know how important the issue of counter-terrorism is for the Government. But it is precisely at this time, as terrorism is starting to be defeated in Syria - and we are watching it with our own eyes - that we need to preserve those gains on the ground and sustain them through a real and inclusive political process, guided by resolution 2254 (2015). The Government should therefore be urged to show by word and action that it genuinely wants to have negotiations on key issues - credible, inclusive governance, locally and centrally; a schedule and process for creating a new constitution; and United Nations-supervised elections - while the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria is reaffirmed and while terrorism is being combatted and defeated.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“I am reaffirming this time frame in order to allow all concerned to use the crucial month from now until then to create conditions for those talks to be meaningful. And I am calling on both sides - both sides ~ to assess the situation with realism and responsibility towards the people of Syria and to seriously prepare for participation in the Geneva talks without preconditions. I would like to explain exactly what we may mean by that. First, I believe hat the Government has an interest in and indeed a duty now to genuinely negotiate with an opposition that the Council identified by name in resolution 2254 (2015). Until now, the Government has conditioned its readiness to move from talks to real negotiations on the issue of opposition unity and a commitment to certain essential principles.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“Participants from both have strongly underscored to me the expectations of a broad cross section of Syrians for an inclusive political solution reflecting the interests of all Syrians and grounded in human rights, equality and justice. They continue to call attention to the voices missing from the political process, including women who are half of the population, if not more. They should have an equal voice in the decisions shaping the future of their own country. I wish to confirm today my intention to convene the eighth round of the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva, which I discussed yesterday with the Secretary- General, about a month from now. The precise date is to be determined. It should not be any later than the end of October or early November.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“I have attended a number of multilateral meetings in its margins, including one convened by the European Union - and I want to thank the European Union for that initiative - with a wide cross section of international actors. I also had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC, on Monday, while my Deputy, Ambassador Ramzy, visited Moscow yesterday and is still there today. I intend to maintain a high level of engagement with all concerned countries and Syrian parties in the weeks ahead. We will continue to engage with all participants in the Civil Society Support Room and to draw on the insights of the Women's Advisory Board.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“That is why de-escalation should be basically a precursor to a truly nationwide ceasefire and to action on the humanitarian and confidence-building fronts - issues which are covered in paragraphs 12 to 14 of resolution 2254 (2015). The Astana effort and the effort in Amman should be seen as laying the basis for a renewed Geneva process - one that moves from preparatory talks to genuine negotiations on the political future of Syria, as envisaged in resolution 2254 (2015), tackling all four baskets of the agenda, and as welcomed by the Council. I have engaged both sides, as well as all those who have influence on them, during the opening of the seventy-second session of the General Assembly, which has been as usual very useful.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“I also hope that concrete results can be achieved in the near future on the issue of humanitarian mine action. I hate mines. I have had three of my colleagues killed by mines in Afghanistan and Iraq. I have seen mines in action. This would constitute another important confidence-building measure. I note with interest the ongoing dialogue between the United Nations Mine Action Service and the Government of Syria in this regard. There is a wide consensus that de-escalation arrangements must not lead to a soft partition of Syria, and that Syria's unity and territorial integrity must be fully upheld. I have found many common perspectives through the hundreds of Syrians we are meeting regularly. Syrians of all backgrounds have voiced their own strong rejection of any partitioning of Syria - its territory and its people.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“I am sure the Council will hear more on that point from my colleague and friend Mark Lowcock. Allow me nevertheless to specifically underline the issue of detainees, abductees and missing persons. Thousands of them, according to their own families, are still missing, abducted or detained. We have not seen any progress on this issue - neither in Astana, despite several attempts to do so, nor in Geneva. A very large number of Syrian families are suffering from the absence of their own detained or missing relatives and lack, above all, information on their fate. They do not even know ifthey are alive or not. The time has come to address this issue now as a major priority, particularly in this case when we see a de-escalation taking place.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“I wish to recall the United Nations calls for the protection of civilians - and this is the right place to do it - in Idlib, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa and elsewhere where fighting is still going on. In the midst of this intensive military activity, while we all recognize that the fighting against ISIL is crucial, we need to remember that civilians cannot be punished twice. They have already been punished because they have been under the rule of ISIL and, if they happen to be unlucky enough to be there when the fighting is taking place, they are punished a second time. More needs to be done in the field ofthe protection of civilians. More needs to be done to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure from military assault and to ensure safe, sustained and unimpeded access to all civilians in need in Syria, wherever they are.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is being beaten back. Government forces have advanced in the eastern countryside of Hama and Horns and broken the so-called three-year siege, which has been taking place de facto around Deir ez-Zor city. The Government and allies also recently crossed the Euphrates river. Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with the backing of the International Coalition, have made further advances against ISIL, taking control of most of the city of Raqqa, while the SDF-led Deir ez-Zor military council has made advances against ISIL on the eastern banks of the Euphrates. The Government and its allies have reportedly increased their strikes on SDF positions. Armed opposition groups are also involved in battle against ISIL in Dar'a.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“However, the situation remains fragile because we are concerned by the Al-Nusra offensive in Idlib and Hama provinces following the Astana meeting and the heavy fighting that has been taking place there. This includes also, for the first time since April, some air strikes, some of which allegedly hit civilians and civilian infrastructure, including health facilities, as well as heavy opposition shelling on civilian towns and the Government controlling Hama and Latakia. We are also concerned at heavy fighting in other places too. So the situation is far from perfect. Nevertheless, we have to admit and we want to reaffirm in this Chamber that the creation of the de-escalation zones is a very important step in the effort to de-escalate the Violence throughout the country. We are seeing the results of it.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“Mr. De Mistura: I am delighted to see you, Mr. President, presiding over this meeting. I am lucky enough be in the Council in person and not Via video- teleconference, owing to the overlap with the recent General Assembly meetings. Let me update the Council first on the most recent developments, which I am supposed to do, and then move on to the way ahead on the political track and the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015). First, with regard to what is happening on the ground, the Amman discussions and the meetings that have taken place very effectively in Astana have created four zones of de-escalation: in the south, in eastern Ghouta, north of Horns, and Idlib province. We also now have two other so-called deconfliction zones, which are being brokered by the Russian Federation in Afrin and eastern Qalamun.”
2017-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8058 (2017) · source
“Things may happen to move in that direction or to stop moving in that direction, to complicate the movement or to move forward, but we need to have a common vision.”
2017-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8036 (2017) · source
“Then, in October, we hope to see and we will be working and pushing for the Riyadh II meeting to contribute to producing a common platform among the opposition parties, hoping meanwhile that the Government will be helped also to realize that there is now a need for a genuine political concrete negotiation. Meanwhile, hoping, if I may use that word in relation to Bid - insha'Allah - that Deir ez-Zor and Al-Raqqa get closer to being liberated, we urge that a sustainable political solution be found so that Da'esh will not and should not reappear like it did in Iraq. In late October, there will be talks in Geneva. This time we hope to see serious and concrete talks. We are planning for two weeks back to back. The foregoing is basically what we are seeing on our radar screens.”
2017-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8036 (2017) · source