Ambassador Liu says this month is crucial for peace process in Syria

UNITED NATIONS - Ambassador Liu Jieyi of China, UN Security Council president for July, said on Monday that Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, Colombia, Haiti and Cyprus will be on the agenda of the 15-nation council this month.

As for Syria, he said, the crisis faced a "crucial month for the political process" with talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, followed by resumption of the Geneva talks later in the month. "The council is following keenly the developments in this respect."

Liu said there were "three dimensions" to be addressed by council members states on Syria - the political, the chemical and the humanitarian. "These two aspects will also be under review in the Security Council."

The reference to chemical was for the alleged use of chemical weapons in Khan Sheikhoun in April, which killed more than 80 people. A report last week said such weapons had been used but did not say who used them.

On Yemen, he said: "the council will look at the situation and hopefully will work to persuade the different sides to the negotiation table to seek reconciliation, to seek to solve the problem through political means and to abandon the notion that there is a possibility of a military solution."

Liu also talked about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, even though not formally listed on the council's July agenda.

He reiterated the Chinese "suspension for suspension" proposal package - suspension of nuclear and ballistic testing on the part of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and suspension of the military exercises on the part of the United States and the Republic of Korea.

"This is a feasible proposal because it accommodates all of the major parts that confront the region and we do believe that once we embark on the road of negotiations along the lines of these proposals and ... we will be able to calm things down and to seek a lasting solution of denuclearization and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Liu said. "We hope that the other parties will be more forthcoming on accepting and supporting these proposals."

On South Sudan, Liu said that the crucial thing is to achieve reconciliation among the different parties and also to have an effective dialogue for lasting solutions.

"The council will continue to urge different sides back to dialogue to cessation of whatever hostilities still exist and also to work out a lasting solution that is best for the country and the people," he said.

Liu said that he hoped to follow what the Bolivians did in last month as president of the council and precede what the presidencies of Egypt and Ethiopia are expected to do in August and September and that is to hold open debates on Africa and the African Unions.

He sees "four months generating more political momentum to help Africa enhance areas of peace and security, because we, speaking for China, are of the view that we should always provide more help to Africa to seek solution, for Africa problems by African countries in African ways".

Xinhua

(China Daily 07/05/2017 page12)