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Thursday, April 26, 2012

American draft resolution on Sudan/South Sudan

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon inspects the bull given by
 Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan.
The bull is cared for by UN peacekeepers. July 2011. Click on picture.
Diplomats said that the US Mission circulated this draft resolution on Thursday 26 April 2012. The draft demands Sudan and South Sudan to resume negotiations, "cease all hostilities immediately and withdraw all of their armed forces to their side of the border". The draft warns both countries that "in the event that one or both of the parties have not complied, to take appropriate additional measures under Article 41 of the Charter". 

"The Security Council,
PREAMBULAR PARAGRAPHS
PP1   Recalling its previous resolutions and statements on the situation in Sudan and South Sudan, in particular resolutions 1990 (2011), 2024 (2011) and 2032 (2011), and its Presidential Statements of 12 April 2012 and 6 March 2012, and further recalling the priority it attaches to the full and urgent advancement of all outstanding issues from the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,

PP2   Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan and South Sudan, and to the purposes and the principles of the United Nations Charter,

PP3   Recalling the importance of the principles of the peaceful settlement of international disputes, good neighborliness, non-interference and regional cooperation,

UN Preliminary Understanding agreement with Syria


Ahmed Himmiche head of the UN Military Observers (UNMO)
 dispatched to Syria, is approached by citizens of Homs
 as he and his team patrol the city. 12 April 2012 (Click on picture)

النص الرسمي للاتفاق المبدئي بين الأمم المتحدة والحكومة السورية حول آلية عمل بعثة المراقبين "أنسميس". أنقر هنا.

Introduction
1. The Security Council, in its resolution 2042 (2012), reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, and to the principles of the Charter.
2. This agreement is intended to provide a basis for a protocol governing the advance team and, upon its deployment, the United Nations supervision mechanism to monitor and support a cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties and the implementation of the Special Envoy’s six-point plan (endorsed by the Security Council in resolution 2042 (2012)). This agreement identifies issues, responsibilities and procedures that are required for the advance team and the effective deployment of a United Nations supervision mechanism, once mandated by the Council.
3. This agreement is subject to any relevant Security Council resolutions and without prejudice to the model status of mission agreement and to the agreement to be concluded with the Government concerning the status of the United Nations supervision mechanism in the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. It is understood that pending the conclusion of the latter agreement, the model status of mission agreement shall apply.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Kofi Annan's budget, mandate and objectives

Kofi Annan, seventh Secretary-General of the UN,
 attended the ceremony at which his portrait
 was unveiled to join the gallery of portraits of his predecessors
 at UN Headquarters. The painting is the work
 of the artist John Keane. October 2010. (Click on picture)
In this report the UN Secretary General estimates that the "requirements for 2012 for the Office of the Joint Special Envoy" Kofi Annan amount to $7,488,000 net ($7,932,200 gross). 
Click here to read the official report. 


"United Nations
General Assembly
Office of the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian Crisis
($7,488,000)
Background, mandate and objective 
1. Peaceful demonstrations calling for greater freedoms and democratic reforms started in March 2011 in some cities in the Syrian Arab Republic and rapidly grew into a large-scale, anti-Government protest movement across many parts of the country. Further escalation of the violence took place as some of the opposition groups resorted to armed action. There have also been terrorist attacks, most recently in Damascus on 17 March 2012 and in Aleppo on 18 March 2012, for which a known terrorist group claimed responsibility.
2. The Security Council issued a presidential statement on 3 August 2011 (S/PRST/2011/16) condemning widespread human rights violations and the use of force against civilians. The Council called for an immediate end to all violence, urged all sides to act with the utmost restraint and refrain from reprisals, including attacks against State institutions, and noted the slow pace of the reforms announced by the Government. The Human Rights Council has adopted a number of resolutions strongly condemning the continued widespread and systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The General Assembly joined in condemnation of the human rights violations in its resolution 66/176.

Ban appointed Mood commander of UNSMIS

Here is Ban Ki-moon's letter to the President on the Security Council regarding his "intention to appoint Major General Robert Mood (Norway) as the Chief Military Observer and Head of Mission 0f UNSMIS".
Major General Robert Mood (right), Chief of Staff of the UN
 Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), visits the UN
 Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)'s Observation
 Post 58 in the Golan Heights. March 2009. (Click on picture) 

"The President of the Security Council presents her compliments to the members of the Council and has the honour to transmit herewith, for their attention, a copy cf a letter dated 24 April 2012 from the Secretary—General addressed to the President of the Security Council and a draft reply thereto.
In the absence of any objection, it would be the intention the_President to send the reply to the Secretary—General, as drafted, on Friday, April 2012, at 10:00 a.m., and thereafter to circulate the texts of both letters as documents of the Security Council.
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL.
24 April 2012
Dear Madam President,
I have the honour to refer to the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), established by Security Council resolution 2043 (2012) of_22 April 2012. 
Following the usual consultations, I would like to inform you of my intention to appoint Major General Robert Mood (Norway) as the Chief Military Observer and Head of Mission 0f UNSMIS.
I should be grateful if you would bong this matter to the attention of the members of the Security Council.
Please accept, Madam President, the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Signed) Ban Ki-moon
Her Excellency
Ms. Susan E. Rice
President Security Council
New York"
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Annan to ask Assad to appoint empowered interlocutor

Kofi Annan meets with President Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus.
March 2012. (Click on picture) 

Annan told the Security Council on Tuesday, 24 April 2012, "we need eyes and ears on the ground, able to move freely and quickly". He noted that he was "particularly alarmed by reports that government troops entered Hama yesterday after observers departed, firing automatic weapons and killing a significant number of people."

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Friday, April 20, 2012

Resolution 2043 on UNSMIS / Syria


Armored vehicles, designated for the  UN team in Syria, 
are unloaded from an Italian Air Force carrier
 in Beirut, Lebanon. 17 April 2012. (Click on picture)
The Security Council adopted this resolution   on Saturday, 21 April 2012. 

"The Security Council 
 S/2012/245
Russian Federation: draft resolution

Recalling its Resolution 2042 (2012), as wellas its Presidential Statements of 3 August 2011, 21 March 2012 and 5 April 2012, and also recalling all relevant . resolutions of the General Assembly,

Reaffirming its support to the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, and his work, following General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/253 of 16 February 2012 and relevant resolutions of the League ofArab States,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity‘ of Syria, and to the purposes and principles of the Charter,

Condemning the widespread violations of human rights by the Syrian authorities, as well as any human rights abuses by armed groups, recalling that those responsible shall be held accountable, and expressing its profound regret at the death of many thousands of people in Syria,

Russian draft on Syria: UN mission to monitor cessation of violence

Vitaly Churkin, the Russian  Ambassador, 
speaking to the press following a meeting on Syria (Click on picture)
The Security CouncilRecalling its Resolution 2042 (2012), as well as its Presidential Statements of 3 August 2011, 21 March 2012 and 5 April 2012and also recalling all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly,
Reaffirming its support to the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, and his work, following General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/253 of 16 February 2012 and relevant resolutions of the League of Arab States,
Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and to the purposes and principles of the Charter,
Condemning the widespread violations of human rights by the Syrian authorities, as well as any human rights abuses by armed groups, recalling that those responsible shall be held accountable, and expressing its profound regret at the death of many thousands of people in Syria,
Noting the Syrian government’s commitment on 25 March 2012 to implement the six-point proposal of the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, and to implement urgently and visibly its commitments, as it agreed to do in its communication to the Envoy of 1 April 2012, to (a) cease troop movements towards population centres, (b) cease all use of heavy weapons in such centres, and (c) begin pullback of military concentrations in and around population centres, and to implement these in their entirety by no later than 10 April 2012, and noting also the Syrian opposition’s expressed commitment to respect the cessation of violence, provided the government does so,

Western draft resolution on Syria: Sanctions and immediate compliance

The Security Council,

PP1. Recalling its resolution 2042 of 14 April 2012, its Presidential Statements of 5 April 2012, 21 March 2012 and 3 August 2011, and all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly,

PP2. Reaffirming its support to the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, and his work, following General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/253 of 16 February 2012 and relevant resolutions of the League of Arab States,

PP3. Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and to the purposes and principles of the Charter,

PP4. Condemning the widespread violations of human rights by the Syrian authorities, including torture, arbitrary detentions, abductions, sexual violence and other abuses against women, children and minorities, as well as any human rights abuses by armed groups, recalling that those responsible shall be held accountable, and expressing its profound regret at the death of many thousands of people in Syria,

Ban on 1559: Disarm Hizbullah through dialogue or other means

This is an advance copy of the Fifteenth Semi-Annual Report of the ecretary- General Ban Ki Moon to the Security Council on the Implementation of Security  Council Resolution 1559 (2004). It was circulated on 20 April 2012.

Fifteenth Semi-Annual Report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004)
20 April 2012
I. Background
1. The present document is my fifteenth semi-annual report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004). It provides a comprehensive assessment of the process of the implementation of the resolution since my last report issued on 19 October 2012 (S/2011/648). It highlights in particular the absence of tangible progress on key provisions of the resolution, and concerns that continue to impede efforts to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence which is the main objective of the resolution.
2. During the period under review, the leadership of Hizbullah has acknowledged publicly for the first time that it had been supported on several levels by the Islamic Republic of Iran since the creation of the militia in 1982.
3. Over the last six months, the deepening crisis in the Syrian Arab republic has continued to affect Lebanon, increasing political polarization and concern that the unrest in Syria could have negative ramifications for Lebanon’s stability. It has further stalled processes that are fundamental for the implementation of this and other Security Council resolutions pertaining to Lebanon. In addition, Syrian security forces have continued to carry out operations along the Syrian-Lebanese border, part of which has been mined in recent months. In a number of instances, shooting at or across the border had led to the death or injury of civilians on Lebanese soil. The most recent tragic incident occurred on 9 April when a Lebanese journalist was killed as the car carrying him and two colleagues came under heavy targeted fire from the Syrian army across the border.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Ban's proposal to Security Council: UN mission supported by air transport in Syria

This is the UN Secretary General proposal to the Security Council to establish a U.N. observer mission for Syria. It was sent to the Council on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. 
Ban and his wife Yoo Soon-taek are saluted by Belgian honour 
guards as they leave Brussels on 16 April 2012. (Click on picture)

"President of the Security Council presents her compliments to the members of the Council and has the honour to transmit herewith, for their information, an advance authorized copy of a letter dated 18 April 2012 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council, and its enclosure.
 The signed copy will be distributed on the morning of 19 April 2012.
 This letter will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/2012/238.
18 April 2012
Excellency,
1. Further to operative paragraph 5 of Security Council resolution 2042 (2012), and to the briefing of the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, to the Security Council on 12 April 2012, I wish to outline a proposal for a United Nations supervision mission in Syria (UNSMIS) for an initial period of three months. I recommend that the Council authorize such a mission, with the understanding that I will consider relevant developments on the ground, including the consolidation of the cessation of the violence, to decide on deployments.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Resolution 2044 on MINURSO/ Western Sahara

Awsard Refugee Camp (Click on picture)         UN Photo/Evan Schneider
This resolution (updated) renews the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) that expires on 30 April, for a further 12 months. 
It was drafted by the "Group of Friends of Western Sahara" (France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia and Spain) and adopted on April 24. 


"Draft Resolution
The Security Council,
[pp1] Recalling and reaffirming all its previous resolutions onWestern Sahara,
[pp2] Reaffirming its strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to implement resolutions 1754 (2007), 1783 (2007), 1813 (2008), 1871 (2009), 1920 (2010), and 1979 (2011),
[pp3] Reaffirming its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect,

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

نص القرار 2042 بنشر مراقبين دوليين في سورية

هنا نص قرار مجلس الأمن الدولي 2042 الذي أجاز تأسيس بعثة المراقبين الدولية في سورية. القرار صدر بإجماع أصوات أعضاء مجلس الأمن في 14 نيسان/ أبريل 2012. مرفق مع القرار خطة مبعوث الأمم المتحدة وجامعة الدول العربية الى سورية كوفي أنان بنقاطها الست. 
.مجلس الأمن يصوت بالإجماع على تبني القرار 2042 بنشر مراقبين دوليين في سورية - 14 نيسان/ أبريل 2012. أنقر على الصورة
"القرار 2042 (2012)
الذي اتخذه مجلس الأمن في جلسته 6751، المعقودة في 14 نيسان/أبريل 2012
إن مجلس الأمن،
إذ يشير إلى بياناته الرئاسية المؤرخة 3 آب/أغسطس 2011 و 21 آذار/ مارس 2012 و 5 نيسان/أبريل 2012، وإذ يشير أيضا إلى جميع القرارات ذات الصلة الصادرة عن الجمعية العامة،
وإذ يعيد تأكيد دعمه للمبعوث الخاص المشترك للأمم المتحدة وجامعة الدول العربية، كوفي عنان، وللعمل الذي يقوم به، وفقا لقرار الجمعية العامةA/RES/66/253  المؤرخ 16 شباط/فبراير 2012 وإلى القرارات ذات الصلة الصادرة عن جامعة الدول العربية،
وإذ يعيد تأكيد التزامه القوي بسيادة سورية واستقلالها ووحدتها وسلامة أراضيها، وبمقاصد الميثاق ومبادئه،

Friday, April 13, 2012

Security Council resolution 2042 on Syria

This is resolution 2042 (updated) that was adopted unanimously on 14 April 2012, authorizing the deployment of 30 unarmed observers team to Syria.
Susan Rice, Permanent Representative of the US and President of the Security Council for April, addresses the meeting at which the Council, through it unanimous adoption of resolution 2042 (2012), has authorized the deployment of a ceasefire monitoring team to Syria. (Click on picture)
"Adopted by the Security Council at its 6751st meeting, on 14 April 2012.
(Co sponsors) "Colombia, France, Germany, Morocco, Portugal, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America:  
The Security Council,
Recalling its Presidential Statements of 3 August 2011, 21 March 2012 and 5 April 2012, and also recalling all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly,
Reaffirming its support to the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, and his work, following General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/253 of 16 February 2012 and relevant resolutions of the League of Arab States,

Turkey urges international community to protect civilians in Syria

In a letter of complaint to the Security Council, Turkey stated that the "international community must act immediately to ensure that violence against the civilian population comes to end" in Syria. 
Here is the original copy.

"10 April 2012
Excellency,
We are extremely concerned by the intensification of violence and human rights violations in Syria.
It is being observed that the Syrian armed forces have recently shifted their military actions on people in the areas close to our common border, leading to a rapid increase in the number of Syrians crossing the border in search of refuge in Turkey. Only over the last week, 6,000 Syrians have arrived in Turkey in addition to the existing thousands. The total number of Syrians who are currently accommodated in Turkish camps along the border surpassed 25,000.

The Russian draft resolution on Syria

Vitaly Churkin (centre), Russian Permanent Representative, is approached by reporters as he exists the Security Council’s meeting on Syria. January 27, 2012. (Click on picture
The Security Council,

PP1 Recalling its Presidential Statements of 3 August 2011, 21 March 2012 and 5 April 2012, and also recalling all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly,

PP2 Reaffirming its support to Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, and his work,

PP3. Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and to the purposes and principles of the Charter,

PP4 Noting the Syrian government’s commitment on 25 March 2012 to implement the six-point proposal of the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, and to implement urgently and visibly its commitments, as it agreed to do in its communication to the Envoy of 1 April, and noting also the Syrian opposition’s expressed commitment to respect the cessation of violence, provided the government does so,

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Security Council draft resolution on advance mission in Syria

Security Council meeting at which the Council adopted a Presidential Statement calling upon the Syrian government to urgently implement its commitment to cease troop movements towards population centres and to cease all use of heavy weapons in such centres. April 5, 2012. (Click on picture)
This is a revised draft. Find here the first text drafted by the US on April 12, 2012, and click here to read resolution 2042 as adopted in the Security Council on April 14, 2012.

(Revised Draft)
"The Security Council,

PP1 Recalling its Presidential Statements of 3 August 2011, 21 March 2012 and 5 April 2012, and also recalling all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly,

PP2 Reaffirming its support to Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, and his work, based on General Assembly resolution A/RES/66/253 of 16 February 2012 and relevant resolutions of the League of Arab States,

PP3. Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and to the purposes and principles of the Charter,

Security Council demands end fighting in Sudan

UN Security Council Presidential Statement (PRST) on Sudan and South Sudan

Zambian peacekeepers with the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) on patrol in Sudan’s Abyei region
The Security Council expresses its deep and growing alarm by the escalating conflict between Sudan and South Sudan, as manifested most recently by the seizure and occupation of the town of Heglig and its oil fields in Sudan by the SPLA.  The recent violence threatens to return both countries to full-scale war and the period of tragic loss of life and suffering, destroyed infrastructure, and economic devastation, which they have worked so hard and long to overcome.  The Security Council demands a complete, immediate, and unconditional: end to all fighting; withdrawal of the SPLA from Heglig; end to SAF aerial bombardments; end to repeated incidents of cross-border violence between Sudan and South Sudan; and an end to support by both sides to proxies in the other country.
The Security Council affirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Sudan and South Sudan.  It recalls the importance of the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference and regional cooperation.


Annan to ask for UN observer mission in Syria

UN General Assembly meeting on Syria - April 5, 2012
Statement by the Joint UN/LAS Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan
Syria is apparently experiencing a rare moment of calm on the ground. This is bringing much-needed relief and hope to the Syrian people who have suffered so much for so long in this brutal conflict. This must now be sustained. All parties have obligations to implement fully the 6-point plan. This includes both the military provisions of the plan and the commitment to move to a political process. I urge all Syrian to seize this opportunity.
The international community is determined to work with the Syrian people to support this process.
The Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, will be asking the Security Council for approval of the deployment of a UN Observer Mission as soon as possible. This will allow us to move quickly to launch a serious political dialogue that will address the concerns and aspirations of the Syrian people.
This is the time for all Syrians to come together in the hope that they can begin to heal their wounds and initiate a political transition to a democratic, plural political system, in which citizens have equal rights and equal opportunities, regardless of their affiliations or ethnicities or beliefs.

Kofi Annan, Joint UN/LAS Special Envoy for Syria
Geneva 12 April 2012
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Al-Moallim: Terrorist operations become increasingly brutal

This is Walid Al-Moallim's letter to the Security Council dated on April 11. 
"Syrian Arab Republic
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates
Damascus, 11 April 2012
Sir,
Having examined the letter sent to you on 10 April 2012 by the Special Envoy of the United Nations, Mr. Annan, We should like to draw the attention of the Security Council to the steps taken by the Syrian Arab Republic in the context of Mr. Annan's mission. I should be grateful if you could circulate this letter to members of the Security Council.
The Syrian Arab Republic Welcomed and accepted Mr. Annan's mission on 27 March 2012, pledging cooperation in order to ensure its success. However, terrorist operations have become increasingly brutal since that date. Syrian Government forces and innocent civilians have been attacked, infrastructure has been sabotaged, and dozens of people have been forcibly displaced to Turkey in order to fabricate a humanitarian crisis as a pretext for the establishment of secure Zones and humanitarian corridors.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Ban Ki Moon's report on Western Sahara 2012

This is the final copy of the UN Secretary-General's report (updated) on the situation concerning Western Sahara for the information of the members of the Security Council.
The Council's members received an advance copy of this report on April 6. Diplomats said that this final report came out with major amendments in paragraphs 22, 46, 72, 94, 112 and 114. (Find here the FIRST advance copy)

Members of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in Oum Dreyga, Western Sahara. (Click on picture)
Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara

I. Introduction
1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1979 (2011) of 27 April 2011, by which the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2012, and requested a report on the situation in Western Sahara before the end of the mandate period. The present report covers developments since the issuance of my report dated 1 April 2011 (S/2011/249), and describes the situation on the ground, the status and progress of the negotiations, and the existing challenges to the Mission’s operations, as requested by the Council in its resolution 1979 (2011).
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Quartet urged parties to “focus on positive efforts"

Middle East Quartet meeting in Washington, D.C. April 11, 2012
STATEMENT OF THE MIDDLE EAST QUARTET 
Washington, DC, 11 April 2012
 
The following statement by the Middle East Quartet (United Nations, Russian Federation, United States, European Union) was issued on 11 April 2012: 
 
The Quartet — United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton — met in Washington, DC on 11 April 2012.  They were joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair and by Foreign Minister of Jordan Nasser Judeh, who briefed the Quartet on Jordan’s engagement.  The Quartet underscored its support for the positive efforts by King Abdullah of Jordan and Foreign Minister Judeh. 

 
Following its consultation in New York on 12 March 2012, the Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to all elements of its statement of 23 September 2011 and renewed its call on the parties to meet those objectives.  The Quartet welcomed plans for dialogue between the parties, and discussed ways to support these efforts.
 

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Annan to Moallem: Take immediate steps

This is Kofi Annan's letter tho the Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem dated on March 27, 2012. 
Annan in this letter (Pages 1 and 2) urged the Syrian Government to take immediate steps to implement the six points plan. He also stated that he would seek similar commitment from the opposition and all relevant elements to stop the fighting. 
(Page 1)
"27 March 2012
Excellency,
Thank you for your letter of 25 March 2012. I am glad to have received the agreement of the Syrian Arab Republic to my six points plan, which has received the full endorsement of the United Nations Security Council. I look forward to your Government moving now to put the following commitments into immediate effect:
      1-      Commit to with with the Special Envoy in an inclusive Syrian-led political process to address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the people. To this end, commit to appoint an empowered interlocutor when invited to do so by the Special Envoy.
       2-     Agree to stop fighting and achieve urgently an effective UN-supervised cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties to protect civilians and stabilize the country. To this end, the Syrian Arab Republic agrees to:
a-     Cease troop movement towards population centers;
b-     No use of heavy weapons in population centers;
c-      Begin pullback of military concentrations in and around population centers;
d-     Work with the Special Envoy to bring about a sustained cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties with an effective UN supervision mechanism.
The Special Envoy will seek a similar commitment from the opposition and all relevant elements to stop the fighting and work with the Special Envoy to bring about a sustained cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties with an effective UN supervision and monitoring mechanism by the United Nations, the specifics of which will be contained in a Protocol to be agreed upon. The Government will work with the United Nations to ensure that this is implemented with all speed.

His Excellency
Mr. Walid al-Moallem
Minister of Foreign and … Affairs
Of the Syrian Arab Republic
Damascus
(Page 2)
3-     Ensure timely provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by this fighting. To this end, as immediate steps:
a-     Accept and implement a daily two hour-humanitarian pause.
b-     Coordinate the exact time and modalities of the daily pause through and efficient liaison mechanism, including on the ground.
      4-     Take the following steps concerning all persons detained arbitrarily … to the recent incidents:
a-     Provide without delay ICRC full access to all places in which such persons are being detained.
b-     Release such persons and work closely with the ICRC.
      5-     Ensure freedom of movement throughout the country for journalists, and grant visas facility for them in accordance with Syrian regulations.
      6-     Respect freedom of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully as legally guaranteed.
I your letter, Excellency, you provide comments of certain aspects of implementation of my proposals. I remain of the view that my six points plan, as explained to your Government, is clear in its requirements, including as regards the steps the Syrian authorities should take immediately. In addition, as explained by my team, the State’s right to respond to Armed Violence must be in conformity with the principle of proportionality and the obligation not to endanger civilian life.
I am grateful that woth the assistance of the Deputy Foreign Minister, we have succeded in agreeing on these important fist steps, implementation will be key, not only for the Syrian people but for the region and the international community as a whole. Once again, Excellency, I look forward to working with your Government to implement all aspects of my six point plan.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration,
Kofi Annan
Joint Special Envoy for Syria 
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