As Brahimi Claims Ceasefire, UK Wants Access in Statement, Russia on Spoilers

By Matthew Russell Lee

 

UNITED NATIONS, October 24, updated -- As envoy Lakhdar Brahimi proceeds apparently without a full time spokesperson, reportedly saying early Wednesday in Cairo that Syria agreed to an Eid ceasefire, at the UN Security Council in New York a Russian draft press statement is still pending.

  It was deferred on Tuesday in order to get a video briefing from Brahimi on Wednesday morning. Tuesday night at a reception for Hungary's national day, two well placed diplomats predicted to Inner City Press that a press statement on the ceasefire -- not on "terrorists attacks in Damascus" -- would issue on Wednesday, with language urging the Assad government to allow humanitarian access added.

  Wednesday morning in front of the Security Council after UN officials including Oscar Fernandez Taranco filed in for Brahimi's video briefing, UK Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant was asked about a ceasefire and statement. He said humanitarian access should be included in any ceasefire. And, a wag wondered, in any Security Council press statement?

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin was asked if a ceasefire could hold. He replied there are "too many players, too many spoilers," but said let's hope so.

 

French Ambassador Gerard Araud was asked about a ceasefire. He said, not for the first time, "the proof of the cake is in the eating." In English that's usually "pudding," but who's counting?

 

Also discussed on Syria at the Hungarian Mission on Tuesday night is a draft Third Committee resolution, on which Egypt has had the pen and has convened meetings including other Arab states, and some Europeans. The resolution may soon be introduced by an Arab state. Watch this site.

 

Footnote: after the resignation or end of mandate of Brahimi's spokesman Ahmad Fawzi, a point was made of naming two separate spokespeople in his place. But hours after Brahimi gave a press conference in Cairo, the transcript had not been e-mailed out to the press, as happened under Fawzi.

 

Update of 10:50 am -- Inner City Press is informed that Syria has submitted another letter to Security Council on 25 civilians killed in Douma in an area it says has no Assad army presence...

On Syria and Libya, UNSC Card Game Replaces Trip, Ban and Psy

By Matthew Russell Lee

 

UNITED NATIONS, October 22, updated -- On Syria and Libya, now scheduled are UN Security Council consultations on the morning of October 23.

 

The Council was supposed to be "on mission" in Afghanistan and Yemen, but canceled both trips. And now Russia has introduced three separate draft press statements, on terrorist attacks in Damascus, Lakhdar Brahimi's proposed Eid ceasefire in Syria, and the siege of Bani Walid, Libya.

 

How the three might be traded off is of interest.

  Meanwhile Ahmad Fawzi, the spokesman for Kofi Annan as Syria envoy, then his replaced Brahimi, mass e-mailed the press on Monday to say his run is over, tomorrow.

  He named two replacements, one in New York, the other* [see below] of the Secretary General's spokesperson's office. Will Fawzi be replaced? Or does the Eid ceasefire include a lull in readouts?

 

Ban Ki-moon at 6:30 pm on Tuesday is slated to meet Psy of Gangnam Style...

Here is [was] the draft Bani Walid press statement:

Security Council Draft Press Statement on Bani Walid

The members of the Security Council expressed their grave concern about the escalation of violence in and around the city of Bani Walid, in particular reports of growing civilian casualties, including children.

The members of the Security Council called on the Libyan authorities to take urgent steps to resolve the conflict by peaceful means and to preserve the rights of all Libyan citizens.

The members of the Security Council stressed the need to promote national reconciliation and inclusive political dialogue in Libya.

 
* - Update of 12:35 pm October 23 - UN Spokesman Martin Nesirky, at the day's noon briefing, asked for a correction that the second of Brahimi's two fill-in spokespeople is still in the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General. Consider it done. Inner City Press asked when the Secretariat will come forward with a public budget for Brahimi's office and mission, as it did for Kofi Annan's time as envoy. Watch this site.