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West Says U.N. Nears Syria Resolution West Says U.N. Nears Syria Resolution
(about 2 hours later)
UNITED NATIONS — After months of crippling deadlock, members of the United Nations Security Council have inched closer to the details of a binding resolution on Syria, Western diplomats said Wednesday, though Russia, one of Syria’s strongest allies, denied that a consensus had been reached.UNITED NATIONS — After months of crippling deadlock, members of the United Nations Security Council have inched closer to the details of a binding resolution on Syria, Western diplomats said Wednesday, though Russia, one of Syria’s strongest allies, denied that a consensus had been reached.
Representatives of the permanent members of the Security Council — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — met for lunch on Wednesday with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the crisis in Syria. Two diplomats said they had reached a consensus on the broad elements, including “a reference” to sanctions should Syria fail to comply with its obligations. They said the resolution would also include language to hold accountable the perpetrators of a chemical attack in August, though it was not likely to include language compelling a referral to the International Criminal Court. Representatives of the permanent members of the Security Council — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — met for lunch on Wednesday with Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general, to discuss the crisis in Syria. Two diplomats said they had reached a consensus on the broad elements, including “a reference” to sanctions should Syria fail to comply with its obligations. They said the resolution would also include language to hold accountable the perpetrators of a chemical attack in August, though it was not likely to include language compelling a referral to the International Criminal Court.
“We’re close, we’re quite close,” one of the diplomats said. “It will be very clear what Syria needs to do.”“We’re close, we’re quite close,” one of the diplomats said. “It will be very clear what Syria needs to do.”
Russia and the United States have clashed over whether the resolution would fall under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which would authorize the Security Council to enforce it with sanctions or even military force. This week, on the sidelines of the General Assembly, Secretary of State John Kerry met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov. Russia and the United States have clashed over whether the resolution would fall under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which would authorize the Security Council to enforce it with sanctions or even military force. This week, on the sidelines of the General Assembly, Secretary of State John Kerry met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov.
The language on the table now, the diplomats said, proposes to include a “reference” to Chapter 7 if Syria does not comply. But to impose sanctions or authorize military intervention would require yet another Security Council resolution. The language on the table now, the diplomats said, proposes to include a “reference” to Chapter VII if Syria does not comply. But to impose sanctions or authorize military intervention would require yet another Security Council resolution.
“It’s close to an agreed text,” said a second diplomat. “There’s still some details to be worked out.” Reuters quoted a spokesman for the Russian mission at the United Nations as saying that the parties had not yet reached an agreement on Syria and that it was “wishful thinking.”“It’s close to an agreed text,” said a second diplomat. “There’s still some details to be worked out.” Reuters quoted a spokesman for the Russian mission at the United Nations as saying that the parties had not yet reached an agreement on Syria and that it was “wishful thinking.”
The secretary general’s office said the foreign ministers also discussed how quickly they could schedule a peace conference to be held in Geneva.The secretary general’s office said the foreign ministers also discussed how quickly they could schedule a peace conference to be held in Geneva.
Officials from Britain and the European Union announced $900 million in aid pledges for the mounting humanitarian crisis facing Syrians at home and in neighboring countries.Officials from Britain and the European Union announced $900 million in aid pledges for the mounting humanitarian crisis facing Syrians at home and in neighboring countries.
Kristalina Georgieva, the European Union commissioner for international cooperation, in announcing the aid pledges on Wednesday afternoon, expressed frustration at the Security Council’s failure to press for access to Syrians who need help.Kristalina Georgieva, the European Union commissioner for international cooperation, in announcing the aid pledges on Wednesday afternoon, expressed frustration at the Security Council’s failure to press for access to Syrians who need help.
“This is the first crisis in modern times where the Security Council has not stated two simple things: don’t kill civilians, don’t hurt people who are there to help them,” she said. “We do hope there will be a Security Council resolution.”“This is the first crisis in modern times where the Security Council has not stated two simple things: don’t kill civilians, don’t hurt people who are there to help them,” she said. “We do hope there will be a Security Council resolution.”
An estimated seven million Syrians are in need of assistance, and half are children, she said. The money is to be used for aid to Syrians living in their country, along with Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.An estimated seven million Syrians are in need of assistance, and half are children, she said. The money is to be used for aid to Syrians living in their country, along with Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.
Bassma Kodmani, a Syrian academic and a former spokeswoman for the Syrian National Council, said she was disappointed by the foot-dragging on the part of the international community. “At a political level, we don’t get one Security Council resolution,” she said in an interview Wednesday. “At the military level, the West, which has called for support for Syria’s people, have not provided aid at the right time when it was most needed. Humanitarian aid is not getting through. And finally, the responsibility to protect — it’s not there.” Bassma Kodmani, a Syrian academic and a former spokeswoman for the Syrian National Council, said she was disappointed by the foot-dragging on the part of the international community. “At a political level, we don’t get one Security Council resolution,” she said in an interview on Wednesday. “At the military level, the West, which has called for support for Syria’s people, have not provided aid at the right time when it was most needed. Humanitarian aid is not getting through. And finally, the responsibility to protect — it’s not there.”

Michael R. Gordon contributed reporting.

Michael R. Gordon contributed reporting.