Syria's Permanent Representative to the UN answers the Saudis

Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari, Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations replied to the Representative of Saudi Arabia today in a session at the United Nations General Assembly. He delivered in his statement some strong words to the Saudis, who keep trying to meddle in the internal affairs of Syria, either through their very negative and hostile role (along with the Qataris) at the Arab League or in the United Nations. This is not to mention the aggressive misleading media campaign waged by media outlets financed by the Saudis (and the Qataris), or their backing of the idea to financially support and arm the rebels in Syria (if they're not covertly already doing so on the ground).



Here is a full translation into English of Dr. al-Jaafari's statement, in which he begins by addressing the Representative of Saudi Arabia. You can listen to the statement in Arabic in the embedded video above:

And I deem myself to be above using the same word to describe the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For this reason, I will not use the same phrase. I will leave it to him and to his conscience in the future, hoping that he will stop using this term, which is an inappropriate term in the diplomatic language, even when there is a disagreement. 

Secondly, the Representative of the Kingdom said that he calls, in the name of his country and in the name of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to send joint United Nations and Arab forces for peacekeeping in Syria. It is as if there is no security in Syria, and it is as if there is no state in Syria, and it is as if I am here not representing a founding member state of this international organization. It is as if things are lost to the degree that they require forces from Saudi Arabia and GCC states to guarantee security in my country. 

We suggested in our previous statement, Mr. President, two weeks ago, for us all to adopt under supervision of the United Nation, a solid plan to spread democracy and to enhance and protect human rights in all states of the region including GCC states. This is because those who are talking about Syria with deep sadness, starting from their conviction that there's a tragedy in Syria and a civil war, those same people, are not a role model for anyone, in the context of spreading democracy and enhancing and protecting human rights. 

If it is like this, Mr. President, I also volunteer in the name of my country and many other member states to send [joint] United Nations, Arab and Islamic forces to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect the oppressed Saudi inhabitants of the Qatif region. And this contribution is for free. We don't want it to be financed by anyone. And perhaps the other important issue for the Kingdom is for it to withdraw its forces from Bahrain, as they are the forces that violate legitimate popular demands of the brotherly people of Bahrain. 

I was hoping that this session will not turn into an Arab-Arab conversation, but some are working diligently to fall in that trap. I advice anyone here not to provoke us, because we have lots and lots of things we could say, and they are things that expose the core of some of the regimes, whether in Arab countries or elsewhere . 

It is shameful for an Arab to liken the limited armed rebellion in a small neighborhood in Homs called Baba Amr (and it's a neighborhood that's dear to the hearts of all of us in Syria), to liken that, to the Srebrenica, Rwanda, Kosovo and Gaza massacres. This is a shuffling that is not worthy of respect, when it is uttered by an Arab voice in this international organization. This benefits no one other than Israel and the enemies of the Arabs as a whole. 

My country, Mr. President, is officially called the Syrian Arab Republic. It is not called the Assadist Arab Republic. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, however, is attributed to its rulers. The name of the country is linked to the name of the ruling family and that's why it's called the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I hope not to be provoked more than this so I don't say more disparaging remarks. Thank you, Mr. President.