By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, July 31 -- While Saudi Arabia described the Syria meeting it convened on Tuesday as "consultations" on its draft General Assembly resolution, several meeting participants complained inside, and outside to Inner City Press, that the Saudi position was "take it or leave it."
This was met by opposition by BRICSA -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- some Latin American countries and others.
Even one self described Western Diplomat told Inner City Press on the way out that if unchanged, "they'll be lucky to get 70 votes" in favor. Another close Western Permanent Representative predicted 100, down from the previously 137.
Most contentious, opponents said, was the switch in the last perambular paragraph to "welcoming" rather than "noting" the Arab League call for Assad to go:
"welcoming the relevant League of Arab States’ decisions, including its 22 July 2012 resolution, in particular its appeal to the Syrian President to step down from power."
They also pointed to operative paragraphs 20 and 21. Inner City Press is putting the referenced draft resolution online again, here.
Paragraph 20, a non-BRICSA diplomat told Inner City Press, is "disrespectful" to Kofi Annan, directing him to "focus his efforts." Paragraph 21 calls on countries to adopt sanctions like the Arab League.
One BRICSA representative after the meeting said that Saudi Arabia put these in so as to negotiate. But others say no, Saudi Arabia isn't trying to win more votes, but a stronger message if not action. The General Assembly can't authorize military force.
But since Saudi Arabia, like Qatar, is already giving weapons to the opposition, adopting a resolution like this could provide a further pretext. Watch this site.
Update: in a parallel universe, Syria went and met with the African Group on Tuesday afternoon, during Saudi Arabia's "consultations." Game on, as they say.
Update II: it is pointed out that not only Syria, but also Egypt, went to brief (or pitch) the African Group. More on these meetings to follow.
