Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Foreign Conflicts 11 July 2012

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he has influenced his colleagues at EU and UN level to focus on the on-going strife and loss of life in Syria; if any particular progress has been achieved at the UN Security Council which might in the short term bring about a cease fire and the creation of democratic institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action taken at EU/UN level to bring about the cessation of hostilities in Syria; if any new efforts are being made to bring about a cease fire pending permanent peace negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he and his EU colleagues might take arising from Amnesty International’s criticism of the UN Security Council regarding the on-going bloodshed in Syria; if he will initiate any particular or specific measures which might increase international pressure on the Security Council with a view to emergency resolution and follow up to avert the increasing levels of loss of life; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reply

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 12, 17, 18, 42 and 43 together.

I have made clear on a number of occasions my revulsion at the level of violence that has engulfed Syria over the last 16 months. I did so most recently at the meeting of the Friends of Syria group which I attended in Paris last Friday. As I stated then, the violence from all sides must stop and the international community must act effectively to bring about an urgent ceasefire and an end to the Syrian people’s long nightmare.

Ireland fully supports the efforts of Joint Special Envoy Annan and of the Action Group for Syria to promote an immediate ceasefire and to ensure full implementation of the Annan six-point plan. The Annan Plan has always offered the vision and the means for ending this bloody conflict. What is needed to bring it to an end is political will and compliance with the Plan.

The dangers of the Syria crisis escalating into a major regional conflict are well known and have been recently highlighted by the shooting down of a Turkish jet fighter by Syrian forces. I commend the restraint with which Turkey has responded to this hostile act. Turkey has been playing a very constructive role in relation to the Syrian crisis, including generously accommodating thousands of Syrian refugees, as well as within the framework of the Friends of Syria group.

Any ceasefire must herald the launch of a meaningful political transition in Syria. The communiqué agreed by the Action Group for Syria in Geneva on 30 June made clear the kind of transition we wish to see. There must be a new political beginning in which all segments of Syrian society can participate and in which they can have confidence. Given the violence and repression which his regime has perpetrated, it is impossible to see how President Assad can have any part to play in Syria’s future.

Pressure must be increased on all sides to meet their obligations under the Annan Plan. I have already stated clearly that I would welcome the imposition of UN sanctions at this stage, and particularly a comprehensive arms embargo which is long overdue.

The strongest demand at the Friends of Syria meeting was for the urgent adoption of a new UN Security Council Resolution. I expect all members of the Security Council to live up to their responsibilities in this regard and also to desist from actions, such as arms sales, which they must know are contributing to the escalation of violence in Syria.

A continued UN presence in Syria, through the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), remains essential. Secretary General Ban has now presented options for the future of the Mission which the Security Council will consider shortly. Unacceptable attacks on UNSMIS and its personnel must end and its mandate must be respected. The safety and security of UNSMIS personnel must be rigorously respected, with particular responsibility falling on Syria as host nation.

There also has to be accountability for what has occurred in Syria over the past sixteen months. The UN Commission of Inquiry must be fully facilitated in conducting its investigations. I continue to support strongly High Commissioner Pillay’s call for the Security Council to consider ultimate referral of the situation in Syria to the ICC.

The Syrian opposition must also work more closely together to forge a united vision for a democratic Syria to which all their compatriots can rally. I welcome the recent progress made and hope that efforts to build up greater opposition unity under the Arab League can continue.

Along with our international partners, Ireland will continue to work energetically in search of an early ceasefire and urgent political transition in Syria.