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UN / SYRIA PEDERSEN
STORY: UN / SYRIA PEDERSEN
TRT:3:34
SURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH /NATS
DATELINE: 25 JUNE 2021, NEW YORK CITY
FILE
1.Exterior shot, UN Headquarters
25 JUNE 2021, NEW YORK CITY
2.Wide shot, Security Council in meeting
3.SOUNDBITE (English) Geir Pedersen, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria:
“Civilians across the country desperately need life-saving assistance and help building resilience. It is absolutely vital to maintain and expand access, including cross-border and crossline operations. A large-scale cross-border response is essential for an additional 12 months to save lives. Your unity on this will be critical.”
4.Wide shot, Security Council in meeting
5.SOUNDBITE (English) Geir Pedersen, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria:
“Regrettably, the gulf of mistrust between the parties and the complexity of the situation on the ground makes early progress towards a comprehensive settlement unlikely. But we must find ways to unite around advancing elements of the resolution, so that in time the situation will be ripe for a more comprehensive resolution of the conflict. I sense there is widespread support among you for this.”
6.Cutaway, delegates
7.SOUNDBITE (English) Geir Pedersen, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria:
“I believe we need a new constructive international dialogue on Syria, to discuss concrete steps – steps that should be reciprocal and mutual, defined with realism and precision, implemented in parallel, and which are verifiable. My idea is to deepen exploratory substantive consultations that help identify the very first steps that Syrian and international players could deliver - to explore not only what they ask of others, but what kind of specific steps each can entertain.”
8.Cutaway, delegates
9.SOUNDBITE (English) Geir Pedersen, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria:
“There are worrying signs that ISIL may be strengthening, given the increased frequency and reach of its latest attacks. Other listed terrorist groups remain at large and in control of territory. Key international players can and should cooperate on countering listed terrorist groups, in an effective way that protects civilians and promotes stability, in line with international law.”
10.Cutaway, delegates
11.SOUNDBITE (English) Geir Pedersen, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria:
“It is almost incomprehensible in scale, with 13 million people forced to flee their homes, within Syria and abroad – half the country’s pre-war population. This is a profound humanitarian and national tragedy and also a ticking-time bomb for regional stability. We need to see actions that create the necessary conditions and confidence for safe, dignified, and voluntary return. “
12.Cutaway, delegates
13.SOUNDBITE (English) Geir Pedersen, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria:
“Syrian civil society – and indeed I think the vast majority of Syrians – are desperately looking for signals that the international community, despite their differences, can work together. I urge you all to assist me on that in the weeks and the months ahead. In doing so, I hope we can ease the suffering for many millions of Syrians, promote stability, and move forward, step by step.”
14.Wide shot, Security Council in meeting
“It is absolutely vital to maintain and expand access, including cross-border and crossline operations in Syria," the UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen told the Security Council on Friday, emphasizing that “a large-scale cross-border response is essential for an additional 12 months to save lives.”
The Special Envoy expressed disappointment that we are not making real advances on the political track to implement resolution 2254, including constitutional reform and elections administered under UN supervision.
“Regrettably," he said, “the gulf of mistrust between the parties and the complexity of the situation on the ground makes early progress towards a comprehensive settlement unlikely. “
He added that he is trying to determine initial steps where progress could be made.
“I believe we need a new constructive international dialogue on Syria, to discuss concrete steps – steps that should be reciprocal and mutual, defined with realism and precision, implemented in parallel, and which are verifiable,” Pedersen said. “My idea is to deepen exploratory substantive consultations that help identify the very first steps that Syrian and international players could deliver - to explore not only what they ask of others, but what kind of specific steps each can entertain.”
Pedersen said that there were alarming signs of escalation this month in the attack on al-Shifaa hospital in Afrin city. And he warned that there was also another escalation in southern Idlib, with mutual shelling, airstrikes inside Idlib, reports of civilian fatalities and significant displacement.
He also said “there are worrying signs that ISIL may be strengthening, given the increased frequency and reach of its latest attacks. Other listed terrorist groups remain at large and in control of territory. Key international players can and should cooperate on countering listed terrorist groups, in an effective way that protects civilians and promotes stability, in line with international law.”
Pedersen said that the fact that half the country’s pre-war population - some 13 million people - were forced to flee their homes, within Syria and abroad, is “profound humanitarian and national tragedy and also a ticking-time bomb for regional stability.”
He called for actions “that create the necessary conditions and confidence for safe, dignified, and voluntary return.“
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