The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
OSE Pedersen Continuity 09 February 2021
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9:09
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MP4
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678.1 MB
Audio CH1 (L) Floor (English), CH2 (R) Arabic
Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria
Subject:
Virtual press stakeout following the UN Special Envoy for Syria’s briefing to the Security Council in closed session today, Tuesday 9 February, at 4 p.m. Geneva time (10 a.m. New York)
Speaker:
- Geir O. Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria
Teleprompter
Thank you for joining us.
You should have the option to listen in English or Arabic.
The UN envoy for Syria has just concluded his briefing to the Security Council.
Following his remarks, he will have time to answer a couple of questions.
Mr Peterson.
Thank you Jennifer.
As you may know this was a briefing I gave in so-called close consultations after the decision by the Security Council itself.
As always, I was heartened by the fact that all members of the Council gave what I would call a strong support to the work of me and my team when it comes to trying to find A to the, to the Syrian crisis.
I had sort of two points I raised with the council, one obviously linked to the fifth round of the constitutional committee, but then also a wider point on the need for a broader political process and the challenges related to that.
But let me start by saying something about the, you know, how I approach the issue about what we're doing in the Constitutional committee.
I told the council that procedure proposals had been on the table from the SMC court chair and then that I proposed a separate one.
I recalled.
As you know, I believe that the government culture could not accept either proposal and that thus the committee actually met in the same way as before.
I also gave the Council what I've called a brief overview of the substantive positions put forward during the three different elements of the drafting body from the government, from the SNC and from the Middle Third civil society group.
I also noted to the Council that we do not have a work plan for the future as of yet and that while one party is proposing to work as we have done before and the other is seeking a complete change in frequency and length in meetings and a timeline.
I shared with the council the assessment that I shared with the committee members themselves that session five of the constitutional committee was a missed opportunity and a disappointment.
I discussed with the Council what we could do to be able to create a situation where we could change the current way the Committee is working and that we I need a credible engagement to ensure that if the Committee reconvenes, it will function properly, work expeditiously and achieve some result and continued progress in lines with the terms of reference that they have already agreed upon.
I also stressed to the Council the importance of not repeating what has been done today and the importance of focusing on common constitutional language.
Then my second point to the Council was, you know, as I said, I addressed the the broader issues and here my key point was the need for constructive international diplomacy on Syria.
And I'm more convinced than ever that without this, it is unlikely that any track, the constitutional track or any other will really move forward.
I noted that there is a lack of trust and confidence and a lack of political will to compromise and a lack of political space to compromise too.
I also told the Council that many of the issues of concern to the parties are indeed not constitutional and not even in the hands of the Syrians themselves, and that these issues are all linked.
I stressed that no one, actor or existing group of actors, Syrian or foreign, determining the political settlement of the conflict.
It must be negotiated.
I noted that I believe that everyone accepts that, but most players seem keen for the other side to move first.
That is why I stress to the Council that alongside the Constitutional Committee and equally or perhaps even more importantly, I believe that the current divides in the international community needs to be bridged in an effort to define mutual and reciprocal steps.
4 steps define with realism and precision that can create some trust and confidence and generate movement on the issues in the resolution 2254.
So these were my 2 main points.
The need for changes in how the CC functions and the need for a constructive national diplomacy that breaches existing divides and focuses on mutual and reciprocal steps for steps.
I will continue my engagement with the government in Damascus and with the SNC and of course, with the two cultures, and I hope to travel to Damascus also in the not too distant future.
Thank you.
Again, Mr Peterson only has time for two questions this evening.
I'll take one from Maria.
If you can, please state your media affiliation too when you ask your question.
I would appreciate that.
Maria, your question please.
Yes, COVID situation permitting, I my plan is to attend the forthcoming Astana group meeting in in Sochi.
Thank you.
Take a question now from Geneva.
Peter And Peter, if you could remind us of your affiliation?
Thank you.
Thank you for that.
As I emphasise to you in my briefing, no.
And also, as I said to the Security Council, you know, when the committee will meet again depends on the the discussions I will have with the parties and with the two cultures on the both on procedural questions, work plan and hopefully, of course, also on substantive issues.
And that is what is going to determine when the committee will be able to meet again.
Thank you.
Apologies for the brevity of the comments this evening.
Mr Peterson will endeavour to update you again soon.
I'll keep you updated on the next media availabilities.
Thank you very much for joining us this evening.
Goodbye.
I also note the timeline Aisha is working and that we I need a credible engagement.
We have already agreed upon forward.
I accept that, but most players seem keen for human on the issues, resolution and.