United Nations published this video item, entitled “USA on Syria – Security Council Media Stakeout (9 July 2021)” – below is their description.
Informal comments to the media made by Permanent Representative of the United States of America, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, following the Security Council 8817th meeting on the humanitarian situation in Syria.
United States ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said thanks to the resolution passed unanimously by the Security Council to renew the cross-border operation into Syria “millions of Syrians can breathe a small sigh of relief knowing that vital humanitarian aid will continue to flow into Idlib” for “another year.”
The Council had passed a resolution today (09 Jul) in which it renewed the authorization for humanitarian deliveries into Idlib through the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing for another six months, during which it will receive a report from the Secretary-General, followed by another six months of renewal without a vote.
Speaking to reporters following the Council’s meeting, Thomas-Greenfield said, “Parents can sleep at night knowing that their children will be fed on July 12. The humanitarian agreement we’ve reached here will literally save lives.”
The US ambassador said there are bright rays of hope with the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing, through which 1,000 aid trucks cross every month. She added that this was thanks to the leadership of the penholders Ireland and Norway, Council members, and above all because the United States and Russia were able to come together, work diplomatically and forge an agreement that would meet the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people.
Thomas-Greenfield urged the Security Council to go even further and expand the humanitarian access, that is so desperately needed.
Responding to questions from journalists, the US ambassador said, “We see this resolution as being automatically renewed following the Secretary General’s report. No vote will be required, and we will work, the Council will work with the Secretary General’s office to ensure that once he puts his report on the table, that it will be accepted by all Council members.”
Asked if this agreement represents a turning point in Russian-US relations, Thomas-Greenfield said, “I certainly see it is an important moment in our relationship, and it shows that what we can do with the Russians if we work with them diplomatically on common goals. And this was a common goal that we were able to come to an agreement on. And I look forward to looking for other opportunities to work with the Russians on issues of common interest to our two governments.”
The US ambassador noted that, although her delegation was looking to have authorization for three border-crossings, the resolution passed is a “lifeline to the Syrian people.” She added, “Certainly we would have wanted to have three border crossings, and I made that clear in my statement that we wanted more; but we certainly didn’t want less, and this is a success.”
United Nations YouTube Channel
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