China calls on Syrian parties to cooperate with Annan

UNITED NATIONS - China on Saturday called on all the Syrian parties, including the Syrian government and oppositions, to fully cooperate with Kofi Annan, the joint special envoy of the UN and Arab League for Syria, in order to pave the way for the launch of a Syrian-led inclusive political process.
 
Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, made the statement as he was taking the floor at the UN Security Council after the council unanimously approved the deployment to Syria of up to 300 unarmed military observers to monitor a week-long ceasefire negotiated by Annan. China is one of the co-sponsors of the just-adopted resolution.

"We urge all parties, the Syrian government and opposition included, to fully cooperate with Mr. Annan in his good offices efforts and create conditions for the launch of a Syrian-led inclusive political process," Li said.

"We also call upon the international community to continue its firm support for Mr. Annan's good offices' efforts and consolidate the results having been achieved and we strongly oppose any word and act aimed at creating difficulties for Mr. Annan's good offices," he said.

"China always maintains that independence, sovereignty, unity and the territorial integrity of Syria as well as the choice and the will of the Syrian people should be respected," he said.

"We always support and are actively committed to promoting a just, peaceful, and proper settlement of the Syrian crisis through political dialogue," Li said. "Special Envoy Kofi Annan's good offices is the practical way out and an important channel for the political settlement of the Syrian crisis and has made positive and important progress."

China has expressed its willingness to contribute personnel to the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS).

"The immediate and full deployment of UNSMIS is of critical significance for solidifying the progress made by Mr. Annan's good offices and for promoting the full implementation of his six-point proposal," Li said.

Annan's six-point plan, widely backed by the international community, calls for the withdrawal of heavy weapons and troops from population centers, a daily halt in fighting for the delivery of humanitarian aid and treatment for the wounded, as well as talks between the government and opposition.

The Syrian government has accepted Annan's six-point plan and the April 10 deadline to put an early end to the fighting in the Middle East country.

"We hope that the Supervision Mission will fully respect Syria' s sovereignty and dignity, act in strict accordance with the authorization of the Security Council, adhere to the principles of neutrality, objectivity, and impartiality and play an active and constructive role in pushing for sustained cessation of violence in Syria," Li said.

"We also call on the Syrian government and other relevant parties to support and cooperate with UNSMIS," he said.