Secretary-General's press conference prior to departure from Syria (unofficial transcript)
Press events | Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General
Syria is an important regional player. The international community is looking to Syria to play a constructive role in this crucial period.
As you know, the purpose of my visit to the region is to seek full implementation of SCR 1701.
That resolution brought about a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel; but it also articulated the need for a forward looking vision for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, one which puts all the outstanding issues on the table.
I had the pleasure of meeting President Bashar Al-Assad this morning. And we had a long and constructive discussion on SCR 1701 and its implementation.
The President informed me that Syria supports Security Council resolution 1701 and will assist the United Nations in its implementation.
I also discussed with the President the question of Arms-Embargo.
While stating Syria's objection to the presence of foreign troops along the Syrian-Lebanese borders, the President committed to me that Syria shall take all necessary measures to implement in full paragraph 15 of resolution 1701. That is the paragraph that deals with arms embargo and rearmament.
To further assist in the implementation of resolution 1701 and this particular paragraph on arms embargo, the President informed me that Syria would undertake as soon as possible the following measures:
Increasing border guard numbers and capability through the provision of additional training and the supply of equipment.
Establishing liaison mechanisms with the Lebanese Armed Forces, Lebanese border police and international personnel providing technical assistance to the Lebanese, in order to set up an effective interdiction regime.
And finally, on this item, establishing, where possible, joint border patrols and control points with the Lebanese authorities.
On the question of disarmament of all militias in Lebanon, the President assured me that he accepts and supports the decisions of the Lebanese National Dialogue related to disarmament of militias.
And we did discuss the establishment of normal diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon, and here the President informed me that Syria is prepared to establish normal diplomatic relations with Lebanon and that these are sovereign decisions and details should be worked out between the two countries.
I then went on to discuss the delineation of borders between Syria and Lebanon.
And here the President informed me that Syria is prepared to go ahead with the delineation of its border with Lebanon and has already communicated this earlier to the Lebanese authorities.
I encouraged a meeting between President Assad and Prime Minister Siniora of Lebanon to allow them to discuss issues of mutual interest and improve their relations. The President gave his consent and said that he is ready to meet Prime Minister Siniora any time and that's a standing invitation.
The President and I also agreed that the time has come to activate and re-energize peace efforts in the region in order to reach comprehensive peace agreements in accordance with the United Nations Resolutions.
A word on humanitarian issues: I discussed with the President several issues on the humanitarian front, and of course he sees the lifting of the blockade - land, sea and air - as also humanitarian. But the other humanitarian issues I discussed with the President were the release of the Israeli abducted soldiers by Hezbollah with the involvement of the ICRC; the release of the Israeli abducted soldier in Gaza; and the release of the Lebanese prisoners.
The President supported these calls for their release, but he also raised the question of the release of Syrian prisoners. He called for their release and whatever one can do to help. And as I said, on the question of land, sea, and air blockade, he said it was essential to lift it as soon as possible as a humanitarian gesture, and to allow reconstruction.
Let me say in conclusion that out of the recent tragedy of war, there is a window of opportunity for peace and prosperity that we must not miss. I will do everything I can to help the parties move along that road to peace that has eluded this region and all of us for so long.
Thank you very much. I will now take your questions.
Q: Mr. Secretary-General, the pledges today lie in the realm of the theoretical. Do you believe that these pledges in particular with respect to the flow of arms to Hezbollah will actually translate into an end to that flow?(inaudible). cooperation with the Lebanese army. Obviously, at the moment, ties are not great between the two countries. Do you expect that the theoretical will go to real?
SG: We always start with the theoretical agreement and then move on. Let me say I think it can happen. It may not be 100 percent, but it will make quite a lot of difference if the Government puts in place the measures that the Government has discussed with me. And I have no reason to believe that it will not be done. First of all, you must remember that I have cooperated with the Syrian authorities in the implementation of resolution 1559. In the understandings that I had reached with the President, the Syrian soldiers left Lebanon, the security services have done so. There is a track record that I hope we can build on and get the Government to perform and implement the programme they have given me today.
Q: (in Arabic)
SG: The question is about the peace process and how one activates it and the discussions I have had with the Syrian group on the issue.
I discussed it with the President today, and I have just come from Israel and Lebanon where this issue has been on everyone's agenda. And, besides, internationally many leaders have come to the conclusion that the only way we are going to have a stable peace in the region is to really work comprehensively and deal with the issue of peace on all tracks –Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian.
Q: Did you discuss the Shebaa area with the Syrian leadership and what is the Syrian role in the exchange of (inaudible)?
SG: We did discuss the delineation of the Syrian-Lebanese border which obviously is an issue that touches also on the Shabaa farm. We discussed with the President the need to delineate the border and, of course, we will give any assistance that is required.
On the second question, I have asked Syria to use its influence to help me obtain the release of the soldiers.
Q: (in Arabic)
SG: I know that there are many UN resolutions which have not been implemented, but that does not mean that the search for peace should end. As I have indicated, there is a real will today to search for peace in the region. These attempts for peace, this search for peace, will be built on the UN resolutions which are still valid. The 'land for peace' concept which underlies all UN resolutions is valid. And these resolutions and the ideas enshrined in them are going to be very important when we come to the table.
Q: (in Arabic)
SG: The question relates to the peace effort and how it affects Syria and how the Syrian track will be engaged.
I think, in fact today, you had a proposal from the Arab League in a letter formally submitted to the President of the Security Council that the Council be seized, formally seized, of the need to reactivate the Middle Eastern peace process and establish a mechanism for us to proceed on all tracks. In fact, the suggestion is that the Council should meet next month. I don't know if it is going to be -- whether the President has agreed or not. But just to show you the desire and the concrete steps that are being pushed for us to be able to get the peace process going.
Q: (in Arabic)
SG: And I expect?
Q:
SG: I was going to say whatever mechanism is set up to deal with the comprehensive peace process will obviously deal with the Syrian track as well.
Q: (in Arabic)
SG: I think the UN position has been clear –cluster bombs should not be used in populated areas because it does cause lots of damage and harm to civilians. I have during my visit to Israel asked the Israeli authorities to give us maps of the areas where the bombs were dropped so that we can map them. We've got some of the maps. We can map them to protect the civilian population and go about systematically de-mining them. And, of course, it has caused humanitarian tragedies and casualties that we are dealing with. And the Israelis know our views. We made our views clear to them.