Churkin: Western states oppose Russian proposal calling for highest representation in Syrian talks

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin said the western states in the UN Security Council rejected a statement proposed by Moscow before the UNSC in call for ensuring the highest representation (of factions) in the upcoming round of the intra-Syrian dialogue in Geneva, stressing that the talk that “the Syrians are the ones to determine the future of Syria” is not just a motto.

Churkin was quoted by Russian media as saying that the Syrian Kurds have not been invited yet to participate in the intra-Syrian dialogue, pointing out that “the fact that the Syrian Kurds have not been invited to take part in the intra-Syria talks in Geneva contradicts UN Security Council resolutions on the Syrian reconciliation.”

“We are concerned that the Syrian Kurds, historically woven into the social fabric of the country, still have not been invited to the Geneva talks. Such policy contradicts the line of the UN Security Council resolutions on inclusiveness of the political process in Syria,” Churkin said.

On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on UN Special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to unify efforts of “foreign players” to help push the Syrian-Syrian dialogue, saying that the US and Russia are committed to support this dialogue.
 [sana.sy]
5/4/16