Inner City Press -- Investigative Reporting From the Inner City to Wall Street to the United Nations

On Syria, as Quai d'Orsay Claims Work Starts at UN, Araud Says Ask Paris, Morocco Hasn't Seen, Rice & UK Say No

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, February 28 -- "Work is starting today at the Security Council on a proposed resolution on stopping the violence in Syria and on humanitarian access to the worst affected sites and people," French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero was quoted by Reuters on Tuesday. "We hope Russia and China will not oppose the proposed resolution."

  But Tuesday morning in New York when French Permanent Representative Gerard Araud was asked about this "work" and "proposed resolution," he replied "Ask Paris."

  UK Deputy Permanent Representative Philip Parham said simply, "no." When US Ambassador Rice was asked to speak about any new initiative on Syria, she too said no.

  Morocco's Permanent Representative Loulichki, the "Arab" representative on the Security Council, twice told the press, "I haven't seen yet any initiative."

  Moments later a well placed Council source told Inner City Press, Morocco just tables the proposals after they have been cooked by others.

  But where is this cooking taking place?

  Click here for Inner City Press' story earlier on Tuesday about the Human Rights Council debate; watch this site.