Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem delivered Syria’s speech at the 70th UN General Assembly in New York.

In his speech, al-Moallem said the Syrian Arab army is capable of matching words with actions in the fight against terrorism, calling for stemming the flow of terrorists coming to Syria and taking a firm line against the countries supporting them, according to SANA.

“I am coming from a country where security had been shaken and peace is gone…a country in the grip of a fierce war that has been on for four years, expecting this international organization to deliver on its promises and enforce its counter-terrorism resolutions,” al-Moallem said.

 He said the UN resolutions under Chapter VII remain “ink on paper” mentioned only in press releases and media statements amid continued support provided by some countries to terrorists in a way that feeds extremism in the region.

Al-Moallem lamented the “utter silence” vis-à-vis sustained support provided to terrorists in the Syria by countries that make a mockery of the UN resolutions while the countries committed to the international law are “bullied”.

He issued a blistering criticism against Western countries which had remained silent as terrorism was striking the Middle East until it hit home.”You had been witnessing these countries spawning extremist thought until it reached European states…. bombings and assassinations are now back in the West,” saying that terrorism cannot be confined to a geographical spot.

 The minister pointed out the paradox in democratic Western countries forging alliances with countries that have no parliaments and treat women as inferiors.

Based on the above facts, al-Moallem vowed that Syria will continue to fight terrorism until cleansing the Syrian lands of terrorists at all costs, urging the international community to “stand for honesty and truth” by stopping the flow of terrorists coming from a hundred countries to establish an Islamic Caliphate.

Al-Moallem defended Syria’s firm commitment to the “political track” but considered fighting terrorism a more urgent priority. “How can we ask the Syrian people to go to the ballot boxes when they are not safe in their houses and streets…when shells fired by terrorist organizations are raining down?,” he wondered.

This, he added, had not shaken Syria’s belief in the political track according to parameters know to all: primarily the preservation Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and state institutions, reiterating that the only way for a political solution is a Syrian-Syrian dialogue away from foreign intervention. “Based on this, Syria agreed to take part in Geneva 2 and Moscow 1-2,” he said.

Al-Moallem announced that Syria agrees to participate in the four brainstorming committees of experts proposed by UN Special envoy Staffan De Mistura whose role he said is mainly to exchange ideas and conduct unbinding preliminary consultations whose agreed-upon outputs can be used to prepare for the launching of Geneva 3.

Commenting on the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s call for establishing an international-regional coalition to counter terrorism, al-Mollaem said that it received the attention of the Syrian government because “terrorism cannot be fought only from the air, and all of the previous operations to combat it have only served its spread and outbreak.”

He said Russia’s decision to start bombing targets was based on the Syrian government’s request and is effective because it supports Syria’s efforts to combat terrorism.

“Airstrikes are useless unless they are conducted in cooperation with the Syrian Arab army, the only force in Syria that is combating terrorism,” he maintained.

He added that the so-called “Arab Spring” has paid considerable dividends for Israel and its undercover and known allies, citing Israeli treatment of wounded terrorists in its hospitals as a sign of tangible support.

Israel has repeatedly targeted sites inside Syria and is doing so to shore up terrorists whenever weakened, he added, which is similar to what Turkey is doing in Aleppo and Idleb. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are doing the same using their tools, al-Moallem added.

Referring to European sanctions against the Syrian people, al-Moallem said they have exacerbated the living conditions of Syrian civilians at a time when the Syrian government is pulling out at all stops to meet the basic needs of citizens in cooperation with the United Nations and its humanitarian bodies.

He said the Syrian state guarantees the safe return and decent life for the citizens who are willing to return, vowing that humanitarian efforts will continue apace to deliver aid to all Syrian citizens.

Reiterating Syria’s full adherence to the restoration of the occupied Golan, al-Moallem said it emphasizes rejection of all actions taken by Israel, the occupying power, to change its natural, geographic and demographic characteristics.
Syria confirms, also, that the Palestinian issues continues to occupy a center stage for the Syrian people, he said, reaffirming full support for the rights of the Palestinian people, particularly the right of return and self determination, and the establishment of its independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Al-Moallem called to mind Syria’s accession to the Convention of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons based on its awareness of the need to establish WMD-free Middle East, leaving no doubt as to its opposition to the use of chemical weapons.

Syria honored the commitments resultant from its joining the treaty against tough odds, he added.

Al-Moallem seized the opportunity to congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran which clinched a “historic nuclear deal” that endorsed Iran’s right to a peaceful use of nuclear energy. “This agreement proves that the diligent and serious diplomatic approach is able to overcome all obstacles,” he said.

He indicated that establishing a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is unconceivable without the accession of Israel, the only nuclear power in the region, to all treaties banning such weapons, calling for putting Israel’s nuclear facilities under the supervision of the international Atomic Energy Agency.

Al-Moallem congratulated Cuba for reaching an agreement with the United States that lifts the blockade imposed on it, renewing call to lift and stop all unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria and the peoples of other countries such as DPRK, Venezuela and Belarus.

Concluding his speech, al-Moallem called on all those “who claim to be concerned over the security and safety of the Syrian people” to faithfully implement the UN Security Council’s counterterrorism resolutions so that a countdown to the end of the war in Syria can begin.”

 

The following is the text of the speech according to

http://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/70/70_SY_en.pdf

 Statement by HE Walid AL-Moualem

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of

The Syrian Arab republic

At The General Debate Of the 70th Session of the United Nations

General Assembly

New York

October 2nd, 2015

 

President of the 79th Session of the General Assembly,

I would like to congratulate you on your election as President of the General Assembly at its current session, and to wish you success in leading the work of this session. I would also like to thank your predecessor for his presidency of the previous session.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I greet you from this great international edifice that was originally established, with all its agencies, in order for peace and security to prevail in the world. I greet you from a country where security has been disturbed and peace has departed, from a country that lives a fierce war for more than four years. I greet you from a land baptized by the blood of its people who are fighting terrorism and defending their fellow citizens against it, while waiting for this international organization to fulfill its promises, and implement its resolutions related to combating terrorism.

The resolutions adopted by the Security Council under Chapter VII are still only ink on paper, mentioned only in press releases and media statements, while on the ground the countries funding, sponsoring and supporting terrorism are still fueling extremism in the region. Those countries continue arming, training and sending terrorists to Syria, while being indifferent and unconcerned about the implementation of those resolutions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I ask you, along with the resistant people of Syria, until when will the powerful member  states remain intimidating other member states committed to international law while ignoring those states that disregard Security Council resolutions? What have you done to stop those states from executing the criminal acts they are committing against the Syrian people? Why all this silence?

You have been witnessing those countries spawning this extremist ideology until it reached Europe, where it hit as it is hitting in the Middle East, while the sleeper cells are waking up, as bombings and assassinations have returned to appear in the West. What is the guilt of the innocent people of your countries who started to pay the price of supporting of terrorism by some of your politicians? You know better than most that terrorism is an ideology that recognizes no boundaries. You know that when this monster comes out, it cannot be limited to certain countries. The terrorism of “Da’esh! ISIS”, “A1-Nusrah Front” and other A1-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organizations is killing the innocent, capturing women and launching mortar shells on civilians. This terrorism is cutting drinking water and destroying history and civilization landmarks, including those inscribed on the World Heritage List, which is a heritage of all humankind, the last of such crimes was the destruction of the temples of Baalshamin and Bel, and the brutal killing of archaeologists.

Why do some of your governments support countries that are used to export their crises outside their borders? Why do you support them while knowing they only produce destruction? How can developed countries, governed by elections and parliaments, ally with countries that originally do not have parliaments, and do not recognize an active half of the society represented by women. How can your countries accept the ideas of sexual jihad, slaughtering, cutting hands, burning, and the systematic destruction of history, monuments and culture.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Based on the above, I would like to say that Syria is continuing its fight against terrorism, in words and deeds, and the Syrian Army is capable of cleansing the country of those terrorists. This is despite all the great sacrifices and the high prices it paid, and is still paying, along with the Syrian people from all backgrounds, in lives and in all other forms whether in security, economy and livelihood. I hope that for once you stand for honesty and truth.

The duty of international community is to stop this flow of terrorists coming to Syria from one hundred countries, according to United Nations data, in order to create a Caliphate State, which, as you all know, will not be limited in Syria or Iraq. A Caliphate whose leaders frequently state that their goal stretches from Mecca to all of Europe, in order to restore the glory of the Caliphate according to their own interpretation. If you do not stop those member states supporting terrorism, along with the terrorists they are sending, the fire that broke out in Syria, Iraq and Libya, will continue to spread beyond.

Mr. President,

Syria has not stopped advocating and holding on to the political track, based on our vision, which proved to be correct, that the fight against terrorism is a priority to move on in the other tracks. Syria cannot implement any democratic political measures related to elections, a constitution or the like, while terrorism is striking at home and threatens innocent civilians in the country. How can we ask the Syrian people to head to the ballot boxes, while they are not safe in the streets and inside their homes, while they are under the missiles and mortar shells launched by terrorist groups supported by well-known countries?

Nevertheless, we were, and still are, believers in the political track according to the parameters known to all, namely; preservation of national sovereignty, the unity of Syria’s territory and people, maintaining the state institutions, while developing and improving their performance, and that the only way to achieve a political solution is through Syrian-led national dialogue, and without any foreign interference. Based on the above, Syria agreed to participate in Geneva 2, Moscow 1 and 2. I would like to announce here that Syria agrees to participate in the four brainstorming committees of experts proposed by the Special Envoy Staffan De Mistura. Mr. De Mistura repeatedly confirmed that these committees’ role is mainly to exchange ideas, and that they will conduct unbinding preliminary consultations whose agreed-upon outputs can be used to prepare for the launching of Geneva 3. In the light of that, some imagined that Syria’s approval of the political track, regardless of its form, initiatives and names, has a connection to what they portray as the weakness of Syria’s army and people on the ground. I want to say that Syria is strong and continues to fight terrorism, and that the Syrian army and the Syrian people are united in the face of this terrorism. No one should think that, after all these sacrifices and steadfastness for more than four years, they could obtain through politics what they could not win in the field, or that they will achieve at the negotiating table what they failed to achieve on the ground. The decision of the Syrian people is in its hand only and no one can deny it that right. The Syrian Arab army astonished the world by its power and its faith and its persistence.

Mr. President,

The important invitation of H.E. President Vladimir Putin for the establishment of an international-regional coalition to counter terrorism got the attention of the Syrian government and its support. Terrorism cannot be fought only from the air, and all of the previous operations to combat it have only served its spread and outbreak. Air strikes are useless unless they are conducted in cooperation with the Syrian Army, the only force in Syria that is combating terrorism. The announcement of the beginning of the Russian airstrikes in Syria, which came upon a request from the Syrian Government and in coordination with the Government, is an effective participation in the support of the Syrian efforts in combating terrorism.  The so-called Arab Spring was a Spring only to Israel and its undercover and known allies. Israel continues to attack Syria while the world is watching. Israel is arming the terrorists and treating them in its hospitals. It is helping them through its intelligence services, and supporting them to stand between it and the Syrian army across the border. When those terrorists weaken, it intervenes directly through air strikes or artillery shelling, just as Turkey did and still doing, whether in Aleppo or in Idlib; and as Saudi Arabia and Qatar are doing, and who are in a race to shed Syrian blood through their clients.

The continued support for terrorists and the escalation of their attacks on citizens in most regions and cities in Syria, led to an increase in citizens’ need for the basic commodities and services in many areas. The inhuman sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States exacerbated the living conditions of Syrian civilians. At the same time, my Government is cooperating with the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies within the framework of response plans agreed upon with the Syrian government, to meet the basic needs of the citizens, especially those forced by the terrorist acts to flee their homes, and many of whom have resorted  to  some  neighboring  countries.  Some  of those  countries accommodated them in camps for training on weapons, or what resembles places of detention and isolation. I stress that the Syrian state guarantees the safe return and decent life for the citizens who are willing to return. At the same time, Syria continues to exert all efforts to deliver aid from international organizations to all Syrian citizens without any discrimination wherever they are.

Mr. President,

The Syrian Arab Republic confirms its adherence to the full restoration of the occupied Syrian Golan until the line of June 4th, 1967. It also emphasizes its rejection of all actions taken by Israel, the occupying power, to change its natural, geographical and demographic characteristics, in clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 497 of 1981 and 465 of 1980. Syria confirms, also, that the Palestinian issue is the central issue of the Syrian people, which supports the inalienable and legitimate rights of the brotherly  Palestinian people, particularly, the right of return and self-determination, and the establishment of its independent state on its land, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Mr. President,

At the end of 2013, Syria accepted the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, and joined the Convention of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based on the need to establish in the Middle East a free zone of Nuclear Weapons and all Weapons of Mass Destruction. It also wanted to prove to the whole world its commitment to stand against any use of chemical weapons.

Syria fulfilled its obligations resulting from its accession to the Convention, and completed its commitments despite the prevailing difficult situation. Were it not for the Syrian cooperation with the UN-OPCW Joint Mission, it would have not been possible to complete of the tasks of the Mission. The Syrian Arab Republic would like to congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran on its steadfastness and victory in achieving the historic agreement that fulfils the aspirations of the brotherly people of Iran, recognizes the right of Iran to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, lifts the sanctions imposed against it, as well as lifts the freeze on its assets, and leads to opening up of the international arena on this brotherly country. This agreement proves that the diligent and serious diplomatic approach is able to overcome all obstacles and result in peaceful and fair solutions for thorny files.

Syria stresses that establishing a zone free from all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is unachievable without the accession of Israel, the only nuclear power in the region, to all treaties banning such weapons, and to put its nuclear facilities under the supervision of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the same time, we emphasize the right of all countries to acquire and develop nuclear technology for peaceful uses.

Mr. President,

Syria emphasized that imposing unethical unilateral coercive economic measures by the United States and the European Union contradicts the rules of international law and the principles of free trade. On this Basis, we congratulate Cuba on reaching an agreement with the United States that lifts the blockade imposed on it. We also renew our call to lift and stop all the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria and the peoples of other countries such as DPRK, Venezuela and Belarus.

Mr. President,

Finally, I would like to say to all those who claim their keenness on the security and safety of the Syrian people the following: if you want to gain victory over terrorism, and achieve economic and political reforms, you have to honestly implement Security Council resolutions related to countering terrorism. Only then we can begin the countdown to the end of war in Syria, until we get to the final quarter-hour, and open the doors to implement what is agreed upon on the political track.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, delivered a speech on September 29^th, 2014, at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly: Following is the full text of the speech:

H. E. Sam Kutesa,

President of the General Assembly,

I would like to congratulate you and your friendly country, Uganda, on your election as President of the General Assembly at its current session, and to wish you success in leading the work this session for the enhancement of the important and neutral role of the President of the General Assembly. I would like to thank your predecessor, Mr. John Ashe for his presidency of the previous session.

Mr. President,

Many events and significant transformations have taken place since I stood hare last year. Those events and transformations surprised many of the countries present here with us, but they didn’t surprise us, because we have been, over the past three and a half years, warning and reiterating our warning in order to avoid what we have come to now.

Speeches from this platform were about economic and political crises that we have been waiting for the international community to solve them, but, maybe speaking about these issues now is no longer a priority. What we are witnessing for few months is much more dangerous than all the political and economic crises that have happened in the world.

We have spoken on more than one occasion and on more than one international platform about the grave danger of the terrorism striking Syria. We said that this terrorism will not be confined within the borders of my country because terrorism recognizes no boundaries. This extremist ideology does not acknowledge anything but itself, and does not recognize anything but slaughter, murder and torture. You are witnessing today what the ISIS, the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world at all in terms of funding and brutality, is doing to Syrians and Iraqis of all spectra and religions. This terrorist organization is enslaving women, raping them and selling them in slave markets; it is cutting heads and limbs, and it is teaching children slaughter and murder, besides destroying historical and cultural monuments, as well as Islamic and Christian Symbols.

All of this is happening before the entire world and the countries that have always said they are fighting terrorism. Furthermore, some of them have tasted the scourge of terror.

Today, I stand here to ask the following: is it not due time, ladies and gentlemen, for all of us to stand as one in the face of this serious menace of terrorist takfiri ideology worldwide? Has not the moment of truth arrived for us all to admit that ISIS, Al-Nusrah Front and then rest of the Al-Qaeda affiliates, will not be limited within the borders of Syria and Iraq, but will spread to every spot it can reach, starting with Europe and America? Should we not learn the lesson from what happened in previous years and bring together full international efforts to stand in the face of those organizations? Those organizations, themselves, rallied extremists from all corners of the earth and brought them to one spot to train and arm them, and later to re-disseminate their ideology and terrorism through those extremists back to wherever they originated from.

Someone might say that, recently, a resolution under Chapter VII was passed unanimously to stop the expansion of this, and other, terrorist organizations, and to eliminate them.

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is true that to arrive late is better than never. Indeed, this UN resolution, adopted on 15/08/2014, came too late, but the question asked here is whether everyone is serious and resolute about its implementation? But since its adoption, we have not seen any serious move to implement this resolution. Furthermore, we have not felt any real sense of the danger to work on its basis on the part of the regional states that were and are still providing all kinds of support to these terrorist organizations. On the contrary, what we see on the part of the US administration is a double standard policy and alliances to score certain political agendas, particularly through supporting with money, weapons and training of groups they call moderate. This is a real recipe for the increase of violence and terrorism, shedding of Syrian blood, prolonging of the Syrian crisis and demolishing of the political solution at its basis. This behavior creates a fertile ground for the growth of these terrorist groups that commit the most heinous crimes on the Syrian territory, which requires all of us to seriously and effectively address and eradicate terrorism, and re-establish security and stability in Syria and the region.

Today, the enslaved women are looking forward to us to see what we will do for them, their sisters and their children. The sons and daughters of the victims beheaded by ISIS are waiting for our actions, and for our reaction in the face of the atrocities committed daily by this terrorist organization, “Al-Nusrah Front” and others.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Combating terrorism cannot be done through unimplemented UN resolutions. Intentions here no longer have a place. Fighting terrorism is achievable through actual implementation of resolutions, and it is certainly possible through military strikes. But most importantly, to do so through stopping states that arm, support, train, fund and smuggle those terrorist groups. We have also to drain the resources of terrorism. Striking terrorism militarily while some states are continuing their support of terrorist groups, this will create a whirlpool of which the international community will not exit in decades.

Military strikes should coincide with the implementation of Security Council resolution Number 2178 adopted on September 24th, 2014 under Chapter VII. We have also to put pressure on countries that render all multifaceted support to these terrorist organizations; these countries are well known to all of us. Most importantly, to pressurize those countries that exported and are still exporting extremist and takfiri ideology that poses a grave danger to international peace and security. The ISIS is an ideology metamorphosed into an organization supported, armed and trained in order to be unleashed like a monster against Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Let us together stop this ideology and its exporters, let us, simultaneously, exert pressure on the countries that joined the coalition led by the United States to stop their support of armed terrorist groups. Only then combating terrorism militarily becomes viable. Otherwise, our presence here will not amount to the level of tears of the captives, women and children, who are victims of the ISIS, and Al-Nusrah Front and others.

Once again, the Syrian Arab Republic reiterates that it stands with any international effort aimed at fighting and combating terrorism, and stresses that this must be done in full respect of the lives of innocent civilians and within the frame of full respect of national sovereignty, and in conformity with international conventions

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is due time to pool all our efforts against this terrorism, since imminent danger is surrounding everyone and no country is immune to it. My country was and it is still firm in its position that was announced in the eighties of the last century, regarding fighting terrorism, before this terrorism goes rampant as it is currently. Mr. President, we, in Syria, respect our commitments and honor our promises and pledges. This was what we confirmed on more than one occasion, particularly since the beginning of the crisis in Syria.

Syria agreed unconditionally to attend Geneva 2 Conference, and participated in its deliberations with an open mind, although we were convinced that the solution of the crisis should be a Syrian one taking place on Syrian territory. However, and as a goodwill gesture, and to stop bloodshed of Syrians’ blood, we went to Geneva only to find a delegation that does not negotiate on behalf of Syrians. Originally, that delegation has no influence on the ground in Syria and neither popularity nor legitimacy among the Syrian people. It was a delegation negotiating with the Syrian government while following the orders of its western masters. A delegation that does not believe in combating terrorism or confronting it. Furthermore, it was a delegation that does not respect Syria’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity. A delegation that verbally refuses to ask terrorist groups to end their terrorism. We know that this opposition would not even be able to pressurize anyone, neither the armed groups nor any Syrian faction on the ground.

We went to Geneva with a priority based on combating terrorism because we believed, and continue to believe, that we cannot start any political solution while terrorism is still rampant in Syria. There were some who opposed us in Geneva in recognizing that combating terrorism is a priority, although it is a paramount part of Geneva Declaration provisions, but the delegation of the so-called “Coalition” continued to reject any point tackling or renouncing terrorism. Now, we all see the international community adopting our perspective that fighting terrorism tops all priorities, and that nothing at all could be done as long as terrorism is brutally striking against everything that comes in its way and as long as those terrorists will return to the countries where its members came from.

Once again, we emphasize that we are ready, and even are striving, for a political solution in Syria and in dialogue with all honorable national opposition members opposing terrorism in Syria, and among Syrians themselves and on Syrian territory.

The presidential elections, that took place before the sight of the world, put everyone before their responsibilities. The will of the Syrians is above all those who tried to suppress it for more than three years now, and it was manifested when Syrians inside and outside Syria said their word for the whole universe to hear.

Now, after the presidential elections, we would like to tell everyone who wants and looks forward to a political solution in Syria that they must firstly respect the Syrian people’s will, which was manifested explicitly, clearly, strongly and most loudly. They chose their President, for the first time in Syria’s modern history, in multi-party elections, with the international monitors from several countries that witnessed the integrity, transparency and the enthusiasm of the people to participate in these elections.

Mr. President, I would like to emphasize that the Syrian people has made its choice, and those who want to speak on behalf of the people’s must, first, be representatives of the people, and, secondly, they should respect the will of the Syrian people and its decisions.

Therefore, any dialogue must be based on foundations that should respect the will of the Syrian people and its decision. Accordingly, we are open to a political solution in Syria, with a real opposition that seeks the prosperity, stability and security of Syria, an opposition that does not depend on the outside and does not speak on behalf of the outside. An opposition that has an impact on the Syrian territory, and has deep roots inside Syria, not in hotels and Western capitals. A national opposition that upholds fighting terrorism as its priority, as well as, an opposition that encourages the ongoing local reconciliations, paving the way for the success of the political solution.

Mr. President,

The continuation of terrorist attacks in Syria increase the humanitarian needs in many of the basic areas, the inhuman sanctions, imposed by the European Union and the United States, aggravated the living conditions of Syrian civilians. In collaboration with the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies, and within the framework of humanitarian response plans agreed upon them with the Syrian government, my government is working to meet the basic needs of citizens, especially those forced by the terrorist acts to flee their homes. We should note that a great number of our people were forced to resort to some neighboring countries, and regrettably, some of those countries put the displaced Syrian in military training camps, or in what resembles places of detention. I stress, from this platform, that the Syrian state guarantees for those citizens who are willing, the safe return and decent life away from the inhuman conditions they are suffering in those camps. I would like to assure Syria’s readiness to exert all efforts to deliver aid from international organizations to all Syrian citizens without any discrimination wherever they are, and within the framework of respecting the national sovereignty.

The Syrian Arab Republic confirms its adherence to the full restoration of the occupied Syrian Golan until the line of June 4th, 1967. It also emphasizes its rejection of all actions taken by Israel, the occupying power, to change its natural, geographical and demographic characteristics, in clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 497 of 1981 and 465 of 1980. Syria confirms, also, that the Palestinian issue is the central issue of the Syrian people, which supports the inalienable and legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, particularly, the right to return and self-determination, and to establish its independent state on its land, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Last September, Syria accepted the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, and joined the Convention of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based on the need to establish in the Middle East a free zone of nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction. It also wanted to prove to the whole world its commitment to stand against any use of chemical weapons.

Syria fulfilled its obligations resulting from its accession to the Convention, and completed its commitments despite the prevailing difficult situation. Were it not for the Syrian cooperation with the UN-OPCW Joint Mission, it would have not been possible to complete the tasks of the Mission. The Special Coordinator of the Mission, Ms. Sigrid Kagg, expressed her happiness and gratitude for the fruitful and constructive cooperation of the Syrian Government, which led to the completion of the unprecedented work.

Syria is committed to the full implementation of the provisions of the Convention as a state party, and within the frame of the OPCW. The big question that remains is whether those who are supplying the terrorists with this, and other types of weapons, will stop their actions and abide by international law, in particular the Convention of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Security Council resolutions related to terrorism?

Syria stresses that establishing a zone free from all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is unachievable without the accession of Israel, the only nuclear power in the region, to all treaties banning such weapons, and to put its nuclear facilities under the supervision of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the same time, we emphasize the right of all countries to acquire and develop nuclear technology for peaceful uses.

Mr. President,

Imposing unethical unilateral coercive economic measures by the United States and the European Union contradicts the rules of international law and the principles of free trade. On this basis, we call for the lifting of the blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba for decades, as we renew our call to lift and stop all the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria and the peoples of other countries such as Iran, DPRK, Venezuela and Belarus.

Mr. President,

Finally, we look forward to the United Nations to be able to achieve the aspirations of our peoples to live in dignity, development and food self-sufficiency, far away from all forms of terrorism, tension and confrontation, in implementation of the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the safeguarding of the sovereignty of states and their equality in rights and obligations. Also we believe that priority should be given to work on the concerted efforts of the international community to combat the terrorism of the ISIS and Al-Nusrah Front, and other al-Qaeda affiliates, and drain its resources in order for security and stability to prevail in our region and the world.

 

http://gadebate.un.org/68/syrian-arab-republic

 

http://gadebate.un.org/67/syrian-arab-republic

 

http://gadebate.un.org/66/syrian-arab-republic

 

Dr. Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim

alibrahim56@hotmail.com