Iran’s UN Envoy: Western Countries Factor Of Annan Mission’s Defeat

New York, Aug 4, IRNA – Deputy Iran's ambassador to UN here Friday considered some proposers of anti-Syrian resolution as factors for defeat of the UN Special Envoy to Syria, and contributors to terrorist groups in that country. According to the IRNA correspondent at UN, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Permanent Deputy Ambassador to UN Es’haaq Ale-Habib who was speaking at the Friday session of the UN General Assembly criticized the efforts made by some western countries aimed at leading to defeat the humanitarian mission led by the UN Special Envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan. He said that continuation of Annan’s peace plan and efforts aimed at finding a non-aggressive way out of the ongoing crisis was the only way to serve the Syrian nation under the current conditions. Ale-Habib considered the proposed (and passed) anti-Syrian revolution as a “deviation from the right path of the international efforts aimed at solving the Syrian crisis and as well as breaching the Charter of the United Nations which forbids interference in the internal affairs of the legitimate national governments.” In further reference to the proposed anti-Syrian resolution, he reiterated, “This resolution cannot end the catastrophic results of foreign intervention in Syria and would on the contrary further aggravate foreign interference and forwarding of deadly weapons for the Syrian government’s opponent forces, further intensifying the crisis in that country.” He added, “In accordance with this resolution also the international community cannot hold the armed terrorist groups responsible for their terrorist acts, does not condemn foreign intervention, and does not forbid resorting to terrorist acts against the Syrian nation.” Ale-Habib reiterated that it is quite clear that some of the countries that have proposed this anti-Syrian resolution are unfortunately the supporters of the terrorists who are committing crimes in Syria. He said, “The dire need of the people in engagement areas is the basic living items, but passing this resolution equals public punishment of the Syrian nation.” Expressing regret over the resignation of Kofi Annan, the Iranian envoy emphasized, “Of course we do understand the reasons behind this decision and the tough condition in which Mr. Annan was, and it is a fact that during the course of the past weeks some western members of the UN Security Council were in a hurry to announced that the mission of the US special envoy in Syria had died so that they would be able to be able to pursue other ways for toppling the Syrian government.” He added, “That is while this approach is a shameless interference in Syria’s internal affairs.” Ale-Habib meanwhile expressed hope that the successor of Annan, too, would pave the continuation of the path paved by him and act in the framework of a non-aggressive solution for the Syrian crisis. He emphasized, “Only resorting to such an approach can lead to a broader political reconciliation, national unity, political order, stability, and success for the Syrian nation.” The representative of Iran expressing serious concern about the regional aftermaths of continuation of aggression and violating the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Syria, adding, “The Islamic Republic of Iran encourages the political parties and factions in Syria to get engaged in the process of a peaceful political dialogue with the Syrian government, announcing Iran’s readiness for mediation between Damascus and the dissident groups. Ale-Habib added, “As we have also mentioned in other situations, Syria has been the player of a major role in the Middle East historically, and the continuation of instability and crisis in Syria would leave unfavorable aftermaths on Middle East peace and stability.” He ended his address arguing that despite some alteration, the proposed anti-Syrian resolution is unilateral and unbalanced and would convey a wrong message to the involved parts in this crisis, unfortunately in the name of the international community. Annan took the responsibility as UN and Arab League special envoy to Syria on February 23 and resigned on Thursday, August 2. Syria voiced regret over Annan's decision to step down, and lashed out at certain foreign states for their insincere stances towards both Annan's peace plan and Damascus's efforts to restore peace and stability in the country. 'The foreign countries, that targeted the stability in Syria and at the same time voted in favor of Annan's (peace) plan, always insisted on the failure of Annan's plan,' Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday evening. The statement added that the foreign countries have never been sincere about their claims on trying to help the Syrian government to pass through the crisis and they have even tried to make Annan's plan to fail by supporting the terrorist groups and giving shelter to them. Meantime, the statement stressed that Syria has always proven its commitment to Annan's plan and it has always cooperated with the international observers in Syria. Annan announced that he will leave his post on August 31, and stressed that disunity in the international community has hampered his ability to carry out his mission in Syria. 'I did not receive all the support that the cause deserved,' Annan said at a press conference in Geneva on Thursday. Annan brokered a six-point peace plan earlier this year, but it has struggled to gain traction on the ground. Annan's plan called for the realization of a ceasefire between the government and the opposition and also urged that humanitarian groups be allowed to have access to the population, detainees be released, and a political dialogue be started. Terrorists and rebels widely supported by the US and some regional counties have disregarded the cease-fire that stood on top of Annan's plan and was to begin in April. Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country. Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed, when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes. The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad./end