Geneva II: for Damascus "terrorism" is top priority, for opposition, Assad "is the first terrorist"
Geneva (AsiaNews) - There has been no movement at Geneva II peace talks over Syria, despite pledges by the conference's main sponsors, Russia and the United States, to get things going.
To this end, UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi met US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman and Russian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ghennadi Gatilov. But for now, there have been no results.
The two sides are entrenched in their respective positions. To continue talks, Damascus wants "terrorism" to be dealt with first. In the Syrian regime's language, that term applies to all opposition. By contrast, the latter wants Geneva I implemented.
"We are asked to work out a deal with regime to fight terrorism," said Badr Jamous, secretary general of the coalition representing opposition groups. "For us that is unacceptable" because the Syrian president "is the first terrorist."
This morning, Gatilov tried to mediate, explaining that the regime is willing to discuss a possible transition government if the opposition officially commits to fighting terrorism.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticised the opposition for seeking "regime change." He suggested that together with its allies, it was trying to derail talks.
Yesterday, the deadlock was total and the two delegations did not meet. Today, they met separately with Brahimi. A third round of talks is planned for next week.
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30/01/2016 16:19
