Security Council – Work assessment under Syria presidency (Aug 2003) – Letter from Syria (excerpts)

Letter dated 21 November 2003 from the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

  Please find attached the assessment of the work of the Security Council during the presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic in August 2003 (see annex).

  I should be grateful if you would have this letter and its annex circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Fayssal Mekdad 

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

Annex to the letter dated 21 November 2003 from the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

    Assessment of the work of the Security Council during the presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic (August 2003)

  During the Syrian Arab Republic’s presidency of the Security Council in August, the Council held seven formal meetings and six public meetings. Its members met on 11 occasions for consultations.

  In August the Council adopted seven resolutions and issued two presidential statements and the President was authorized on nine occasions to make statements to the press on behalf of the Council members.

…

    The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question 

  On 19 August 2003 the Security Council held a public meeting at which it heard the monthly briefing on the Middle East, presented by the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Danilo Türk. Speaking about developments in the Middle East since the previous briefing, Mr. Türk drew attention to steps connected with the implementation of the road map and the challenges which still needed to be met by the parties in order to arrive at a two-State solution to the struggle in which Palestine and Israel would live side by side in peace and security.

  The Assistant Secretary-General also touched upon the situation in Lebanon. He communicated the Secretary-General’s concern over developments along the Blue Line and his plea to all parties to refrain from any acts that would escalate tensions.

  The Council then proceeded to hold consultations on the situation in the Middle East. Council members stated the positions of their States regarding current developments in the Middle East. Many speakers emphasized the importance of making every possible effort to calm the situation in the region and the need to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

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