By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, August 3 -- As the UN Security Council haltingly reconvened on Syria Wednesday morning, if and how to refer to violence against security forces, and what's called the "container" or format, resolution or Presidential Statement, remained at issue.
The draft text sent to capitals Tuesday night, which Inner City Press has obtained and is pasting below as a public service, refers to and "immediate end to all violence [, including violence against security forces]."
The brackets indicate it is not agreed to. On Wednesday morning Inner City Press asked a Western spokesman if his country could live with a text condemning violating against security forces.
He replied, "No... not appropriate as you have civilians are defending themselves against an unacceptable crackdown."
Inner City Press then asked South African Permanent Representative Baso Sangqu about the issue. He said "we'll have to find the language, there has to be some reference" because there are "armed gangs" in Syria.
Given buzz about Lebanon disassociating itself from a Presidential Statement, which is usually understood to require 15-0 consensus, Ambassador Sangqu said, "there's precedent in the past. We're trying to find a way. This is very difficult for Lebanon."
Inner City Press pointed out, "No court is going to review."
Ambassador Sangqu replied, "Exactly. We're going to find a way."
Then, after a meeting of less than ten minutes, the Council broke up for 30 minutes for "one on one" talks.
Update of 11:23 am - the 30 minutes went longer; it was Western explained that Russia asked for the "Perm Reps only" meeting, to discuss a package deal. US Ambassador Susan Rice came out and said "things are moving." She left "for a Cabinet meeting," she said. Western spokespeople very upbeat; an IBSA rep too. Could it be?
Here is the text with five brackets sent to capitals Tuesday night:
Express grave concern at the deteriorating situation in Syria, and express profound regret at the death of many hundreds of people.
Condemn systematic violations of human rights and the use of force against [unarmed] civilians [by the Syrian authorities].
Call for an immediate end to all violence [, including violence against security forces], and urge all sides to act with utmost restraint, and to refrain from reprisals.
Call on the Syrian authorities to fully respect human rights and to comply with their obligations under applicable international law, and call for a credible and impartial
national investigation into the violence in Syria. Those responsible for the violence should be held accountable.
Note the announced commitments by the Syrian authorities to reform, and regret the lack of progress in implementation, and call upon the Syrian Government to implement their commitments.
Reaffirm its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria.
Stress that the only solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process, with the aim of effectively addressing the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the population which will allow the full exercise of fundamental freedoms for its entire population, including that of expression and peaceful assembly.
Call on the Syrian authorities to alleviate the humanitarian situation in crisis areas [by ceasing military operations against affected towns], to allow [immediate and] unhindered access for international humanitarian agencies and workers, and cooperate fully with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [mission].
[Request the Secretary-General to update the Security Council on the situation in Syria within 7 days.]
