Brussels, 11/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The UK and US, together with France, are discussing a United Nations Security Council joint resolution on implementing international control of the chemical weapons held by the Syrian regime.
According to UK Prime Minister David Cameron, this resolution should include “a proper timetable, process and consequences if it's not done”. Also being discussed is a possible reference to Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which focuses on possible recourse to force if obligations are not respected, or to Chapter 6 on the peaceful settlement of disputes, according to the BBC. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the time has come to try to secure a credible offer from Syria on the chemical weapons. He said the UK agreed with France on the fact that a strong and united response was needed from the Security Council.
France's President François Hollande, spoke of “the determination of France to explore all the ways at the United Nations Security Council, in order to enable an effective and verifiable control of the chemical weapons in Syria as quickly as possible” (our translation).
Several European states gave their backing to a UN resolution. On Tuesday, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said she welcomed “the intention of France to introduce a resolution in the UN Security Council” to give effect to the proposal. In the view of Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, “we now need a tough UN Security Council resolution on dismantling the Syrian chemical weapon arsenal, with authorisation to strike if anybody cheats”. According to his Swedish counterpart, Carl Bildt, “the sticking point” in the resolution will be Chapter 7. In his view, however, “with good will on both sides, that issue should be possible to sort out”.
Russia has already spoken of its opposition to the French draft resolution, believing it to be “unacceptable” because it highlights the responsibility of the regime for the chemical attack in the Damascus on 21 August. The joint resolution calls for the dismantling of the chemical arsenal and provides for the use of force, as a last resort, to oblige the regime to fulfil the obligations in the resolution. France has said it is ready to hold discussions with Russia. “We are ready to amend our draft as long as its broad principles and objectives are preserved”, said a spokesperson from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (CG/transl.fl)