Brussels, 20/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - Russia is “ready” to support “not only” a declaration but also a resolution from the United Nations Security Council to back Kofi Annan's mission and the proposals made to the Syrian government and opposition, as long as this is not an ultimatum but a base on which Kofi Annan can work, the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said on Tuesday 20 March before the Security Council examination of a draft declaration began that same day. Proposed by France, the text calls on President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition to totally and immediately apply the settlement plan proposed by Kofi Annan, and states that additional measures will be considered if nothing happens within seven days.
Ashton-Al Araby encounter. On Monday, during her meeting with the secretary general of the League of Arab States, Nabil Al Araby, to discuss the “appalling situation in Syria”, the EU high representative called once more on members of the Security Council to “assume their responsibilities and speak with a strong and united voice” to put a stop to the massacre, ensuring that the regime cease all acts of violence.
Ashton spoke of the EU's total support for the efforts being made by the special envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan. She said: “We are determined to support his efforts to bring an end to all violence and human rights violations and promote a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis”. She underlined that the “Syrian regime needs to continue to engage with Kofi Annan and fully cooperate with him”. The EU and the League of Arab States also expressed their support for the work of the United Nations coordinator for emergency aid, Valerie Amos, and reiterates their call in favour of unhindered humanitarian access.
Sales of Russian arms to Syrian regime. On Monday, ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt expressed indignation at the confirmation by Syrian militants that military material had been offloaded in the port of Tartous by Russian special forces. “If that is true”, he said, “then Russia is an accomplice to crimes against humanity perpetrated by President Assad. That is totally unacceptable. We urge the United Nations to conduct an immediate investigation into these allegations and call on Russia for clarification.” (CG/transl.jl)