Commentary: Stick to political course at crucial juncture in Syria
- dengyushan
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E-mail Xinhua, August 4, 2012
EDS: Add comments on Friday's UN General Assembly resolution
BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- With armed violence surging up and international mediator Kofi Annan stepping down, the Syria crisis has entered a critical phase that demands urgent and proper global action.
The priority now is, as called for in Annan's six-point proposal, to immediately end all forms of violence in the turmoil-torn country and initiate a Syrian-led inclusive political process.
Given the complicated situation in Syria, the international community must stick to the political track and refrain from any unbalanced measures that might derail the political endeavors.
Imposing pressure on one side of the conflict, as connoted in Friday's UN General Assembly resolution, is not helpful in finding a fair, peaceful and proper solution, and is likely to further escalate confrontation.
Beijing's reservations are justified. China shares the urge and commitment of the Arab world and the international community at large to put an early and permanent end to the crisis, but pinning one down when two fight is not conducive.
China has no self-interest in the Syria issue and respects the Syrian people's desire for change. It upholds the UN Charter, act responsibly in line with international norms and is open to any reasonable peacemaking efforts.
Undeniably, the international community is divided. Annan's apparent frustration over "finger-pointing and name-calling" lays bare the lack of unity, which has not only hamstrung his mediation efforts but allowed Syria to slide further into crisis.
It is a true pity that Annan will depart after his tenure as UN-Arab League joint envoy expires at the end of this month. The constructive contribution and earnest endeavors by the former UN secretary general and Nobel Peace Prize laureate deserve profound admiration.
But China is not to blame for the discord. It is a stalwart supporter of Annan's mediation efforts. The charges levelled against Beijing by the White House, U.S. Senator John McCain and some others in the wake of Annan's announcement do not hold water.
Indeed, the division stems from the United States and some other Western powers' stubborn obsession with their apparently flawed and unbalanced approach, which has stoked violence among other repercussions.
And when the volatile Syrian situation demanded the international community speak in one unequivocal voice, Washington and some other powers sent out messages that were not endorsed by the June 30 Geneva conference or by the UN Security Council.
Their maneuvers, including forcing votes on defective resolution drafts, have undermined the reputation and authority of the UN Security Council, and betrayed their attempt to take international principles into their own hands.
Such disruptive behaviors have made it impossible for Annan to operate as a mediator, and that's the fundamental reason behind the envoy's departure.
It is time for such counterproductive moves to stop now. As Beijing, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and many others have stressed, Annan's six-point plan and the Geneva communique remain the foundation for a peaceful settlement of the Syria crisis.
At this crucial juncture, the United States and similarly-minded powers need to discard their lopsided approach and back the Annan plan and Geneva consensus with good faith and concrete action.
Only by doing so can the international community act responsibly and effectively to help the Syrians put a permanent end to bloodshed and bring forth a peaceful future determined by themselves. Enditem
