The key deliverables reached by the so-called International Syria Support Group, which has thus far held two rounds of talks in the Austrian capital, Mr. de Mistura said, included a future political roadmap on a political process in Syria, and also on aspects related to a nationwide ceasefire connected to a political dialogue to take place in Geneva.
"This is an opportunity for the Syrian opposition to come and be as inclusive as possible and as prepared as possible," he told reporters at the UN Headquarters on being asked about the list of participants in future talks.
Mr. de Mistura emphasized that while the possibility of establishing a ceasefire is not guaranteed, he was hopeful that certain countries who "have the capacity of influencing those who are fighting," in Syria are part of the peace talks and added that these countries "have an interest in seeing a ceasefire taking place."
"We already have the list from the Syrian Government. There are more than 40 people. We know who will be leading them at the Geneva discussions but it is extremely important to have a cohesive, comprehensive and well-inclusive opposition [group]," said Mr. de Mistura stressing the need to include the opposition parties in the discussions.
Speaking about the failure of local ceasefires, Mr. de Mistura said that without the influence of foreign sponsors, the ceasefires are unlikely to hold.
However, he added that while the ongoing peace talks aim to establish a ceasefire throughout the country, the regions now controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), such as Raqqa and Palmyra, will likely not be a part of the ceasefire.
When asked about the disagreements over President Bashar al-Assad's role, Mr. de Mistura emphasized that the Vienna talks included plans of not only establishing a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, but also the formation of new non-sectarian governance structures, a new constitution, and conducting elections that go beyond parliamentary polls.
"That's quite a package that even a disappointed opposition could look at with interest," he said.
- Lastly, the UN envoy dismissed the recent comments made by President Assad in an interview stating that no political process will be allowed unless Syria is liberated from terrorists.
"Every time there is a political process starting and the possibility of a ceasefire there are going to be a lot of statements which are in fact preparing, prepositioning [and] positioning the sides. What matters is what happens in Vienna meetings and the negotiations," said Mr. de Mistura.
Just before Mr. de Mistura addressed the press, Mogens Lykketoft, President of the General Assembly said that in light of recent developments in Syria and the region, it is crucial that the United Nations enhances the level of its engagement and contributes to restoring sustainable peace and stability. "We are very hopeful that momentum can now be created."
[china.org.cn]
20/11/5
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Ex-NATO Chief Calls on Gulf States to Put Boots on the Ground in Syria...
ReplyDeleteThe Western nations should not engage in a ground operation in Syria. Instead, the Gulf States should come forward and put boots on the ground in the war-torn Arab country, NATO’s former Secretary General Xavier Solana said in a radio interview on Thursday.
"The Sunni countries of the region should send their military contingents to Syria before the European countries move in,” Solana told Onda Cero, Spain’s number two radio station.
"Just as the international coalition decides to attack Islamic State, Saudi Arabia prefers to bomb Yemen. Why Yemen? Because in Yemen the Saudis are fighting Iran, the Shiites. Turkey makes its military base available to the Americans and says it is fully behind Washington’s campaign against ISIL, but, simultaneously it starts bombing the Kurds. This means that the Sunnis have no desire to fight ISIL, and if it is so, then destroying ISIL is almost a mission impossible," Solana noted.
Xavier Solana, who once served as the EU’s foreign policy chief and Spain’s foreign minister, also said that deploying a Spanish military contingent in Syria was a bad idea and urged Madrid to refrain from bombing the terrorists’ positions in Syria.
He welcomed the ongoing negotiations in Vienna which include, among others, the Sunni and Shiite countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran.
“If Iran and Saudi Arabia reach agreement this would make the situation much better,” Solana added.
He also said that the creation of a united coalition with Russia would be “good news,” and that a comprehensive ceasefire, a provisional government, a new constitution and free elections held the key to a long-lasting settlement in Syria.
http://sptnkne.ws/afxU
20/11/15