Press Conference: António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) in Syria

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Transcript: Good afternoon. I want first of all to express my deep condolences to the families of the victims of the horrible bus crash that happened yesterday, and also my condolences to the people and the government of Syria. I also want to express my deep gratitude for the wonderful and generous hospitality I enjoyed during these two days. Everything was done by the Syrian government to make sure that this visit will be a success and I am deeply grateful for that fact. I am concluding a deeply meaningful visit to Syria – a visit of solidarity and partnership with this great country and its wonderful people. After so much suffering, this period of transition is a rare moment in the life of a nation. A moment of responsibility, possibility and choice. A moment for writing a new chapter of the future of this country where all Syrians can see themselves reflected in it. Over these days, I have met with President Al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Shaibani and other Government officials, as well as representatives of Syria's diverse communities, women, young people, civil society, humanitarians, and people from many walks of life. I came to Syria to listen – with humility, respect, and a clear message: The United Nations stands with the people of Syria at this pivotal moment. And I came carrying the strongest possible appeal to the international community – an appeal to spare no effort to support the Syrian people. Syria today is at a crossroads. This country has long known what it means to be a crossroads – of civilizations, cultures, faiths and ideas. Syria is an integral part of the rich history and fabric of this entire region. That diversity is not incidental to Syria. It is one of this country's greatest strengths. It is what makes Syria, Syria. Before becoming Secretary-General, I served for ten years as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. I saw how Syrian solidarity saved lives and safeguarded human dignity for millions of Iraqi refugees. And through the terrible years of the conflict here, I met countless Syrian families who had themselves fled unimaginable hardship. We sadly know too well the catalogue of horrors of recent years: the killing of hundreds of thousands … the use of chemical weapons … the mass disappearances, imprisonment and torture … the displacement of millions … the wanton destruction. These atrocities left society profoundly traumatized, but it did not break the resolve of the Syrian people to achieve their legitimate aspirations. Syria is now drawing on its own experiences, its own wisdom, and its own hopes for the future to chart its own path. During these past days, I have seen the scars left by years of conflict. I have heard about pain, loss, displacement and fear. I was horrified by my visit to the enfamous Sidnaya prison, where tens of thousands of people were killed and tortured. Over these days I was horrified by my visit to the infamous Sednaya prison where tens of thousands of people were killed and tortured. But I have also seen resilience, courage and determination, translated in remarkable progress in the political transition. I have felt a profound sense of hope. Hope for security and stability for all. Hope for decent jobs and economic opportunity – especially for young people. Hope for basic services that deliver – and institutions that are responsive and accountable. Hope for a future where rights are respected, equality is realized, differences are accepted, society's components are represented, and opportunities are shared. These are universal aspirations. And they are the aspirations embodied in the international human rights treaties, charters and agreements that were made an integral part of Syria's Constitutional Declaration – including the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And they are also the building blocks of lasting peace. The task now is to translate political change into tangible improvements in people's daily lives. Every Syrian must feel equally invested in the future of the country. And that also requires the investment of the international community. I welcome steps that have eased sanctions and opened new possibilities for economic recovery. But all these sanctions must be removed immediately. And recovery will depend on much more. That is why my appeal to the international community is clear: The Syrian people have shown extraordinary resilience through years of hardship. They should not have to carry the burden of recovery alone. The international community must match Syrian determination with sustained political support, economic engagement and practical assistance. Syria needs investment in its people, its economy and institutions. Syria needs support to restore essential services, rebuild infrastructure, revive livelihoods, strengthen education and healthcare systems, and create economic opportunities – particularly for young people. Syria needs assistance for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced people and it is remarkable the will of people to come back home. And Syria needs development partners and international financial institutions to re-engage in ways that help unlock the country's economic potential and reconnect Syria to regional and global economic life. A stable, prosperous and inclusive Syria will benefit all Syrians. It will also contribute to stability and progress across the region and beyond. The world has a fundamental stake in these efforts. For our part, the United Nations is here to support, to accompany, and to help create opportunities for success. We stand ready to assist, with humility, all efforts to promote accountability, transitional justice, human rights and reconciliation; build confidence among communities; and ensure the meaningful participation of all Syrians – women and men, young people, and all components of Syria's remarkable and diverse society. We stand ready to support the country's efforts to strengthen the rule of law, develop a permanent constitution, and hold free and fair elections. In short, our agenda is the well-being of the Syrian people as they carry out the transition – one that reaffirms the importance of fully respecting Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. I want to repeat: Violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity are unacceptable and must cease. I strongly condemn Israel's continuing violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces agreement not to mention the fact that the Golan Heights are themselves Syrian territory. Once again, let me say that this has been a deeply meaningful and productive visit. The road ahead will not be easy. There will be setbacks and obstacles. There will be moments of frustration. Yet there is also a real and extraordinary opportunity: To help build a Syria where women and men participate fully in shaping their country's future … where young people can fulfil their aspirations … and where every person can live in dignity, equality, security, and peace. The United Nations will be a steadfast partner of the Syrian people in that journey. And I thank you. Question: [inaudible] that you have observed the Syrian people, which fully will be able to rebuild their country…. Secretary-General: Can you repeat what happened? Question: Are you optimistic? Will you be happy with the cooperation between you and the institutions and the Syrian Government? What do you see, are you seeing the light at the end of the tunnel right now? Thank you. Secretary-General: First of all, I am optimistic But I am more than optimistic. I'm determined to do everything I can to mobilize the international community to support this transition. Some people might, here or there, make criticism in one direction or another, but the central question is to know, is this transition going in the right direction or is it going in the wrong direction, and I have no doubt to say this transition is going in the right direction. And it deserves the support of the international community. And we will do everything possible to mobilize that support. The second question - first of all, I want to say that, taking into account all the crimes committed during the last 15 years, I was happy to see the efforts that are being made in order to institutionalize the transitional justice and in order to have an effective accountability, towards with all the efforts that are being made in relation to victims and in relation to… I met the new committee to work in relation to the missing persons. So, there is a lot of work still to be done in relation to close the wounds opened by the previous regime. On the other hand, in this meeting, I had the occasion also to contact a little bit with the people. I had meetings, of course, with the civil society, with women's movements, with representatives of different communities, but I also contacted with people. And I saw in these people an enormous determination and enormous courage, and that did not surprise me because as High Commissioner for Refugees I had seen the determination, the resilience and the courage of Syrian refugees that had to flee their country, and sometimes in extremely dangerous and difficult circumstances, and always demonstrated that capacity. So I have no doubt that the Syrian people will be able to rebuild its country, and I have no doubt that it's the duty of all the international community to support that effort. Question: [inaudible] from the New York Times. I want to ask you about, you said the Syrian people shouldn't have to bear the burden of recovery by themselves. Now, but we are seeing that the aid from the UN is shrinking in the last two years, at the time when we should be focusing on the reconstruction. Can you explain that? And what are you going to do after you see the situation, the humanitarian aid? Can you explain that, why the aid is shrinking at a time when you have to focus on the reconstruction? Secretary-General: We have a dramatic problem, not only in Syria, but everywhere. It's in Sudan. It's in Syria. It's in Haiti. Everywhere, there is dramatic decrease of humanitarian assistance and because of that dramatic decrease of humanitarian assistance, especially in the areas where war is still happening, which is not the case of Syria, we are seeing increase in hunger and increase in death that is quite dramatic. In relation to Syria, unfortunately, our humanitarian appeal was only answered at the level of 22%, but I want to say that in our contacts with the Government, it was clear that we must more and more focus our priority in the recovery and then particular in the plan of action aimed at guaranteeing an effective, successful integration of those people, refugees and internal displaced, in their places of return. And so, we will need much stronger support from the international community. And it is in the interest the international community to support serious transition in this regard. Look around Syria. You have Israel still bombarding Gaza. You have Lebanon, where the military operations are still taking place, even if there were important negotiations in Washington. You have the Americans bombarding Iran, and Israel is bombarding Lebanon. And simultaneously, you have the Iranians bombarding all the countries of the region. And in the middle of this mess, Syria remains a symbol of stability. And that is one more reason for the international community to support Syria. It's a bet that is very important to sustain Question: Syrian TV. With what you have just seen on the ground, you got your humanitarian aid and assistance, is it going to change? Because it used to be like urgent. Is it going to be like like long-term humanitarian assistance? Is it going to change? Secretary-General: I hope that your humanitarian assistance will not need to last long, but for that, we must start investing massively in recovery and reconstruction. But of course, we for the moment still needs a meaningful support of the international community for humanitarian assistance, but more and more, we need the international financial institutions, we need countries, we need companies to invest in Syria in relation to the reconstruction and in relation to the recovery of the economy of the country. And if that happens, the humanitarian problems will naturally disappear. Question: So yesterday, you met with the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Abdelhamid. So how do you evaluate the experience since the fall of the regime? How do you evaluate the experience, the new Parliament? Secretary-General: I was very strongly impressed by the Speaker of the Parliament. He gave me a very clear picture of the work of this Parliament, as the head of it. You have a new constitutional declaration, but the legislation that exists is largely the legislation that comes from the previous regime, and so, like it has happened to me when I joined the parliament in Portugal after the revolution, you have to redo all the central legislation in relation to the areas of finance, the economy, human rights, institutions, and that is a very heavy work. But I saw the President, the Speaker of the Parliament totally committed to develop that work. Then afterwards, there will be a new constitution, and this is a process of transition, but even in this process of transition, a lot of legislation is necessary. Question: From Cairo News. He says he met with you almost 21 years ago, during the Iraqi war, and you were helping in [inaudible] that situation. So wit regard to Syria and the situation now, three main areas in Syria, three main regions - Sweida, the Syrian West, and the third one, northeastern Syria. So do you think the United Nations can play a major role in, for example, helping in prevailing the peace and stability? And what about, for example, the SDF; they have almost 1,000 detainees. Are you going to help with that? […] They have almost 1,000 detainees. He's saying, can the United Nations intervene with that and help? Secretary-General: Today, I had the opportunity not only to speak with the people from all the regions and communities that you mentioned, but also from the two investigation communities in relation to the West Coast and relation to Sweida. And I became convinced that, with the serious commitment that I've seen, it will be possible to overcome these problems. It requires, of course, stopping the violence, and the violence has essentially stopped. It requires accountability, and it requires reconciliation. And of course, the United Nations will be at disposal of the Syrian Government, but this is obviously a Syrian process that must be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned. On the other hand, I think it was a remarkable success, the agreement that was established with the SDF. And I consider that it was a crucial factor in stability of the country. I know that there are still problems to be solved in relation to demobilization. But all the indications that I have is that the Government is totally committed to address and solve this problem. Question: From Arab Television. Since 1974, the United Nations is responsible for the Disengagement Agreement, and UNDOF is monitoring the border. Do you think this is enough, that the United Nations is doing enough? Is his enough for the country's disengagement? Are you going to take any other steps with regards to this? With the Security Council, for example? Secretary-General: The United Nations has not a peace enforcing mandate. The mandate is clear and is a mandate of monitoring and reporting. And what I can tell you is that we will be presenting a report in July, until the end of the month, and it is our intention in that report to be clear about the very serious violations that are taking place. And that is what we can do, and to alert the Security Council and, alerting the Council, to alert global public opinion about how all these violations are undermining what should be a peaceful situation and are causing extensive damage to the people of Quneitra, that is suffering unnecessarily stress because of these violations. Question: We heard that you had a planned visit to UNDOF. We don't know whether this visit was accomplished or not. If not, was there any part for the Israelis in that? Thank you. Secretary-General: I have to have a mission in Cyprus, so there was a shortening of the mission in Syria, and what we did was, instead of going there, I had a meeting yesterday with the Governor of Quneitra, with several elements of the population of Quneitra, including farmers, the mufti, and also with the Commander of UNDOF, and we went through the whole set of problems that are happening, and that was extremely helpful for the elaboration of the report I just mentioned. Thank you. Shukran.