30 Jul 2012

SYRIA / BABACAR GAYE

The acting head of the United Nations (UN) observers in Syria today held his first meeting with Government officials, during which he called for an end to the fighting and voiced concern about ongoing combat taking place in the city of Aleppo. UNSMIS

Posted at: July 30, 2012 12:02 pm

Duration: 03:11

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: SYRIA / BABACAR GAYE
TRT: 3.11
SOURCE: UNMIS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 29 JULY 2012, HOMS, AL-RASTAN, SYRIA / 30 JULY 2012, DAMASCURS, SYRIA

SHOTLIST:

30 JULY 2012, DAMASCUS, SYRIA

1. Wide shot, General Gaye and his spokesperson approach podium
2. Cutaway, cameraman
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Lt. General Babacar Gaye, Head of the United Nations Supervision Mission ad interim (UNSMIS):
"I am deeply concerned by the ongoing violence, and I have to confess, violence from both sides.  It means that I call on the Parties again, as stated by the Joint Special Envoy, for restraint and at least for respect of international humanitarian law by the Parties." 
4. Cutaway, cameraman
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Lt. General Babacar Gaye, Head of the United Nations Supervision Mission ad interim (UNSMIS):
"The situation in Aleppo vis-à-vis resolution 2059 is a matter of concern and this concern has been expressed as stated by the Joint Special Envoy in his last statement. You, on your side, have seen what has been reported in the media. I add my call to that of the Joint Special Envoy. I add my concerns to those of the SGs for restraint and a shift from this mindset of confrontation to a mindset to dialogue."
6. Cutaway, cameraman
(Q: You said you tested the readiness of both sides for a cease of violence and dialogue in Homs, what is your impression? Are the sides willing to cease the violence, are they willing for dialogue?) 
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Lt. General Babacar Gaye, Head of the United Nations Supervision Mission ad interim (UNSMIS):
"I am here to see my first impression translated into something practical. So the first approach has been a positive one. None of the sides had said no to pause and to an agreement. But, unless it is finalized and the population sees the benefits in the field, it will remain wishful thinking. I believe in acts and I am working on that."

29 JULY 2012, HOMS, SYRIA

8. Various shots, General Babacar Gaye at an Observation Post being briefed about the shelling in Homs.
9. Wide shot, on the way to meet the new Governor of Homs Ahmad Munir Mohammed.
10. Various shots, General Gaye at the Governor's offices
11. Various shots, UN vehicles travel on the damaged section of the highway leading to Al Rastan (located between Homs and Hams and Edlib). Empty tank shells on the road. A destroyed tank

29 JULY, AL RASTAN, SYRIA

10. Wide shot, on the road a "Al Rastan welcomes you" sign in Arabic 
11. Various shots, streets of Al Rastan
12. Various shots, General Gaye met by Colonel Qassem Saad Eddine the spokesperson of the Free Syrian Army Joint Command
16. Various shots, Colonel Saad Eddine and his officers of the FSA receives General Gaye and his team in his office

STORYLINE:

The acting head of the United Nations (UN) observers in Syria (UNSMIS) today held his first meeting with Government officials, during which he called for an end to the fighting and voiced concern about ongoing combat taking place in the city of Aleppo.

At a press conference in the Syrian capital, Damascus later in the day Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, who took over the leadership of UNSMIS last week following the departure of Major-General Robert Mood, expressed his deep concern by the ongoing violence "from both sides".

He called on the Parties for "restraint and at least for respect of international humanitarian law by the Parties".

Commenting on the situation in Aleppo, where according to media reports heavy shelling from the government forces continued, Gaye said that that was a matter of concern. He added his call to that of the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan "for restraint and a shift from this mindset of confrontation to a mindset to dialogue".

Responding to whether the sides were willing to cease the violence, and take on dialogue, Gaye said none of the sides had said no to a pause and to an agreement, but, he added "unless it is finalized and the population sees the benefits in the field, it will remain wishful thinking. I believe in acts and I am working on that".

On Sunday (29 July), Gaye visited the cities of Homs and AL-Rastan to assess the situation, including the use of heavy weapons. While there, he also met with the provincial Governor and members of the Free Syrian Army.

UNSMIS is tasked with monitoring the cessation of violence in Syria, as well as monitoring and supporting the full implementation of the six-point peace plan put forward by the Joint Special Envoy for the UN and the League of Arab States for the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan.

That plan calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, the release of detainees, the start of inclusive political dialogue, and unrestricted access to the country for the international media.

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