Security Council – Work assessment under the United States presidency (July 2013) – Letter from the United States (excerpts)

Letter dated 22 October 2013 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

  

  

 The United States held the presidency of the Security Council for the month of July 2013. An assessment of the work of the Council has been prepared under my supervision in consultation with the other members of the Council (see annex). 

 

I should be grateful if the present letter and its annex could be circulated as a document of the Security Council. 

  

  

(Signed) Samantha Power 

 


Annex to the letter dated 22 October 2013 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America 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 United States of America (July 2013)

  

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   Asia and Middle East

  

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   The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

  

 In the Council’s open debate on the situation in the Middle East on 23 July, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, welcomed the recent announcement by the United States Secretary of State, John F. Kerry, that a basis had been established to resume direct talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians. However, he noted that the parties faced tough choices and would need to secure domestic support to renew negotiations. He welcomed the support of the Arab League and Jordan for renewed talks, and encouraged broader regional and international support for the current diplomatic initiative. Progress would also require a credible political horizon and accompanying effort to improve the situation on the ground, he said. Both the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine and the Permanent Representative of Israel made statements. Many Council members welcomed recent progress on Middle East peace, while acknowledging that the parties would still need to face many challenging issues. Several members called for a halt to Israeli settlement activity as well as the lifting of restrictions on the Gaza Strip. Some members also called for a halt to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Members also focused on the violence and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, and most emphasized that a political solution was the only durable way to end the crisis. Most members stated support for a second Geneva conference and expressed concern about the delay. Some members emphasized the need for accountability for all acts of violence, and others repeated that arming the sides would not help to end the conflict. Some countries reiterated that the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic should be referred to the International Criminal Court. Members also stated concern about the growing impact of the Syrian crisis on stability and security in Lebanon and the broader region. Some members highlighted that political developments in Egypt were also of serious concern. 

  

  

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2019-03-11T22:18:26-04:00

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