UN / MIDDLE EAST
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STORY: UN / MIDDLE EAST
TRT: 2.39
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 25 MARCH 2013, NEW YORK
FILE – RECENT, UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS
1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations Headquarters
25 MARCH 2013, NEW YORK
1. Wide shot, Security Council
2. Cutaway, delegates
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East:
“While they (Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) undeniably differ on its terms, and on how to attain it, it is incumbent upon us at the United Nations, and the international community, to help them bridge those differences. Much work lies ahead. We should not underestimate the difficulties, but neither should we belittle the real possibility to overcome them. It is now time for all of us to come together in concerted action and support a serious initiative, including through a revitalized Quartet that engages more broadly with key Arab partners, regional and other stakeholders.”
4. Cutaway, delegates
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East:
“Efforts currently underway offer the chance for a new beginning and renewed push for serious political progress. Therein lies opportunity, but we worry that it will not last if the volatile situation on the ground is not urgently addressed at the same time. Both parties should undertake constructive steps and work to reverse negative trends.”
6. Cutaway, delegates
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East:
“The continuing pursuit of a military victory by both sides and their reckless disregard for civilian lives and their protection are of deep concern for the United Nations. Impunity is wide-spread, human suffering and destruction are pervasive.”
8. Cutaway, delegates
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East:
“The UN is doing its utmost to respond to the tragic humanitarian consequences of the conflict, which continue to grow dramatically by the day. Nearly 1.2 million refugees from Syria are seeking safety in neighbouring countries.”
10. Cutaway, delegates
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East:
“Funding for our humanitarian efforts still remains a challenge. Regrettably, only about 20 percent of what was pledged during the Kuwait Pledging Conference on 30 January has been received so far. We continue to appeal for these pledges to be translated into real commitments as soon as possible.”
12. Cutaway, delegates
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East:
“The deteriorating situation in Syria has also affected significantly the UNDOF area of operation, with clashes between government and opposition forces intensifying in recent days. The continued military activities in the area of separation have a potential to escalate the situation between Israel and Syria, and jeopardise the ceasefire between the two countries.”
14. Cutaway, delegates
15. Wide shot, Security Council
While Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas differ on the terms of the two state solution, “it is incumbent upon us as the United Nations (UN), and the international community, to help them bridge those differences. Much work lies ahead”, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East said today (25 March) at the United Nations.
While addressing the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, Robert Serry added that the difficulties should not be underestimated, “but neither should we belittle the real possibility to overcome them”.
Serry stressed that it was now time “for all of us to come together in concerted action and support a serious initiative, including through a revitalized Quartet that engages more broadly with key Arab partners, regional and other stakeholders.”
Serry welcomed United States President Barak Obama’s commitment to the peace process, and his reaffirmation of the “two state solution” as necessary. He noted that efforts underway “offered the chance for a new beginning” and “for serious political progress.” He also expressed his concern that the “volatile situation on the ground” had to be “urgently addressed.”
He said that “both parties should undertake constructive steps and work to reverse negative trends.”
Talking about the situation in Syria, Serry said that the continuous pursuit of a military victory by both the Government and the opposition were of deep concern for the United Nations. He added that “impunity is wide-spread, human suffering and destruction are pervasive.”
He noted that while the UN was responding to the humanitarian consequences of the conflict, the number of refugees was growing.
He said, “Nearly 1.2 million refugees from Syria are seeking safety in neighbouring countries.”
Serry also made reference to the funding situation, which he said “remained a challenge”, and regretted that only “20 percent of what was pledged during the Kuwait Pledging Conference on 30 January has been received so far.”
On the situation concerning the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Israeli-Syrian border, Serry said that the continued military activities in the area of separation “have a potential to escalate the situation between Israel and Syria, and jeopardise the ceasefire between the two countries.”