Under-Secretary Dassù took part in a meeting of the Core Group of the Friends of the Syrian People held in Paris on Thursday 19 April, along with the representatives of thirteen other nations that included Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States and EU High Representative Cathy Ashton. The meeting produced unanimous agreement on the need to fully support the Annan plan, even though – as Under-Secretary Dassù pointed out – “we are in the category of ‘least worst options’”, as the violence continues and the international community urges a political solution. To that end, maintaining the pressure on Assad through international sanctions is indispensable. Dassù added that, on the other hand, the opposition had to be truly united and inclusive also of the Alawite minority.
The next goal is a new Security Council resolution, that Russia should approve, allowing 300 observers to be sent in, whose freedom of movement and safety would be guaranteed. A response to the humanitarian crisis, both in Syria and bordering nations, remains essential.
