This letter was drafted by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in November 2013, diplomats said.
Draft
text for Letter of the United Nations Secretary-General to
International Participants
 |
| Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at his residence. September 2013 |
In
light of the appalling human suffering and widespread destruction in
Syria, including the grave and ever-deteriorating human rights
situation, violations of international humanitarian law and the risk
of deepening conflict and regional instability, it is imperative to
reach a peaceful settlement with the greatest urgency.
The path towards such a settlement was outlined in the Geneva Communique of 30 June 2012 (Annex I), unanimously endorsed by Security Council resolution 2118 of 27 September 2013. The Security Council called for the convening, as soon as possible, of a conference to implement the Geneva Communiqué. Since the initiative of Foreign Minister Lavrov of the Russian Federation and Secretary of State Kerry of the United States of America on 7 May 2013, intensive preparatory consultations between the United Nations and the Permanent Five Members of the Security Council, including the two Initiating States, and others have taken place, along with consultations with the Syrian parties.
Consequently,
I am now convening the Geneva Conference on Syria, and am pleased to
invite you to attend the high-level international meeting that will
launch the Conference. The Conference will begin on 23 November 2013
at the Palais des Nations at 9.00 am.
The
Conference aims to assist the Syrian parties in ending the violence
and achieving a comprehensive agreement for a political settlement,
implementing fully the Geneva Communique. The Communique contains
Principles and Guidelines for a Syrian-led transition. These set out
a number of key steps, beginning with agreement on a transitional
governing body with full executive powers, formed by mutual consent.
As the Geneva Communiqué says, the public services must be preserved
or restored. This includes the military forces and security services.
All governmental institutions and state offices must perform
according to professional and human rights standards, operating under
a top leadership that inspires public confidence under the control
transitional governing body.
The
Conference will convene under my chairmanship, first in an
international high-level format Over one day. Negotiations between
the two Syrian parties, facilitated by the Joint Special
Representative for Syria will follow immediately. Adjournments and
subsequent meetings may take place in accordance with a work-plan to
be agreed. The high-level international meeting 111213.r resume its
deliberations as required.
I
am confident that the international participants will offer
meaningful support for constructive negotiations between the Syrian
parties. I am sure that all present will do their utmost to encourage
the Syrian parties to reach a comprehensive settlement, fully
implementing the Geneva Communique, within an accelerated time-frame.
In addition to participation in the high-level meeting, it may be
necessary to call upon you to assist further as the negotiations
between the Syrian parties progress.
In
inviting the Syrian parties, I have reminded them that the Security
Council has called on the them to engage seriously and constructively
at the Conference, and underscored that they should be fully
representative of the Syrian people and committed to the
implementation of the Geneva Communique and to the achievement of
stability and reconciliation. I have also reminded the Syrian parties
that, consistent with the Geneva Communique, Security Council
resolution 1325 and other relevant resolutions (Annex II), full and
effective participation of women needs to be assured, including
through their senior presence in both delegations.
I
look forward to confirmation of attendance of your delegation, and
the list of delegates and advisers, by 15 November 2013.
Confirmation
of attendance will be taken as commitment to the aims of the
Conference stated above, in accordance with the Geneva Communiqué,
in particular the Principles and Guidelines for a Syrian-led
transition contained in it.
You
will find annexed a technical information note (Annex III) and basic
rules for the Conference (Annex IV).
The
conflict in Syria has raged for too long, and has imposed too many
sacrifices on the people of Syria. The violence must be ended
expeditiously. The Geneva Conference offers a unique avenue towards
this end. I am deeply grateful for you cooperation in this venture,
to help enSure that peace can restored and the transition foreseen in
the Geneva Communique can be implemented in a way that fully meets
the aspirations of the Syrian people.
Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab
There is neighter need for nor legal basis to an arrangement of the invitations to the conference by only some few countries.
ReplyDeleteThe international character of the Syrian conflict is evident by the involvement of foreign backed mercenaries; and so is the endangering of global peace and security by this conflict.
The only institution that is able and legitimated to express an invitation to the conference, therefore, is the UN and their secretary general respectively.
Iran not only is an important player of the region but also does untertake tight bonds to Syria. To not invite them is ridiculous!