Geneve peace talks about Syria conflict set for January 2014
It has been announced by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that d Syria’s government and opposition will attend peace talks – in Geneva for the first time on 22nd January. Mr. Ki-moon also stated that it would be “unforgivable not to seize this opportunity to bring an end to the suffering and destruction” in Syria.
The UN, US and Russia have been trying for months to get both sides to agree on a political solution to put an end to the conflict. But there have been disputes over who should represent the opposition and the fate of President Bashar al-Assad.
On the other hand the UN special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, said he hoped Syrian parties to the talks would name their delegations by New Year. He went on to say a full list of participants was yet to be established, also adding that Iran and Saudi Arabia were “possible participants”.
The fact that world powers agreed a deal with Iran on Sunday over its controversial nuclear programme certainly seems to have contributed to this issue by enhancing hopes to reach a solution in Geneva.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Mr Ban expressed deep appreciation for the work of US and Russian diplomats, as well as Mr Brahimi. “We will go to Geneva with a mission of hope,” the statement said. It is expressed that The Geneva conference is the vehicle for a peaceful transition to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of all the Syrian people for freedom and dignity”
Speaking to reporters later on Monday, Mr Ban himself stressed that the Geneva conference “was the vehicle for a peaceful transition” in Syria. Mr Ban said he expected representatives of both sides to come “with a clear understanding” that the goal of the talks was the full implementation of the Geneva Communique, issued after a meeting of the UN-backed Action Group for Syria in the Swiss city in June 2012.
He said an “inclusive, Syria-led process” was “the only way to end violence” in the country.
Mr Ban warned all parties that they should also come to Geneva “with a serious intention to end a war that has already left well over 100,000 dead, driven almost nine million from their homes, left countless missing and detained, sent tremors through the region and forced unacceptable burdens on Syria’s neighbours”.
25.11.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
