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Sunday, April 8, 2012

Annan to Moallem: Take immediate steps

This is Kofi Annan's letter tho the Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem dated on March 27, 2012. 
Annan in this letter (Pages 1 and 2) urged the Syrian Government to take immediate steps to implement the six points plan. He also stated that he would seek similar commitment from the opposition and all relevant elements to stop the fighting. 
(Page 1)
"27 March 2012
Excellency,
Thank you for your letter of 25 March 2012. I am glad to have received the agreement of the Syrian Arab Republic to my six points plan, which has received the full endorsement of the United Nations Security Council. I look forward to your Government moving now to put the following commitments into immediate effect:
      1-      Commit to with with the Special Envoy in an inclusive Syrian-led political process to address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the people. To this end, commit to appoint an empowered interlocutor when invited to do so by the Special Envoy.
       2-     Agree to stop fighting and achieve urgently an effective UN-supervised cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties to protect civilians and stabilize the country. To this end, the Syrian Arab Republic agrees to:
a-     Cease troop movement towards population centers;
b-     No use of heavy weapons in population centers;
c-      Begin pullback of military concentrations in and around population centers;
d-     Work with the Special Envoy to bring about a sustained cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties with an effective UN supervision mechanism.
The Special Envoy will seek a similar commitment from the opposition and all relevant elements to stop the fighting and work with the Special Envoy to bring about a sustained cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties with an effective UN supervision and monitoring mechanism by the United Nations, the specifics of which will be contained in a Protocol to be agreed upon. The Government will work with the United Nations to ensure that this is implemented with all speed.

His Excellency
Mr. Walid al-Moallem
Minister of Foreign and … Affairs
Of the Syrian Arab Republic
Damascus
(Page 2)
3-     Ensure timely provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by this fighting. To this end, as immediate steps:
a-     Accept and implement a daily two hour-humanitarian pause.
b-     Coordinate the exact time and modalities of the daily pause through and efficient liaison mechanism, including on the ground.
      4-     Take the following steps concerning all persons detained arbitrarily … to the recent incidents:
a-     Provide without delay ICRC full access to all places in which such persons are being detained.
b-     Release such persons and work closely with the ICRC.
      5-     Ensure freedom of movement throughout the country for journalists, and grant visas facility for them in accordance with Syrian regulations.
      6-     Respect freedom of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully as legally guaranteed.
I your letter, Excellency, you provide comments of certain aspects of implementation of my proposals. I remain of the view that my six points plan, as explained to your Government, is clear in its requirements, including as regards the steps the Syrian authorities should take immediately. In addition, as explained by my team, the State’s right to respond to Armed Violence must be in conformity with the principle of proportionality and the obligation not to endanger civilian life.
I am grateful that woth the assistance of the Deputy Foreign Minister, we have succeded in agreeing on these important fist steps, implementation will be key, not only for the Syrian people but for the region and the international community as a whole. Once again, Excellency, I look forward to working with your Government to implement all aspects of my six point plan.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration,
Kofi Annan
Joint Special Envoy for Syria 
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