By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, April 13, updated 5:30pm -- As Syria resolution negotiations passed 5 pm at the UN in New York, the Security Council was only at Operative Paragraph Six of the draft resolution, having been unable to reach agreement on Paragraph Five regarding freedom of movement, and in Paragraph 2, whether and when Bashar al Assad's troops should return to their barracks.
There was also still no agreement between "demands" or "calls upon," well placed diplomats told Inner City Press.
On his way in at 3 pm, Russia's Vitaly Churkin said that for resolution sending the full observer mission, the consent of Syria and a report from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would be required. For this resolution for the advance team, Russia would like to keep it short and to the point.
UK Ambassador Lyall Grant, comparing to the morning, said he was not as hopeful now. Most predictions are that the Council will continue on Saturday, and put a draft to vote. The French draft was first into blue, and would be the one voted on. But could they again be playing chicken with the veto? Watch this site.
