Syria talks: (UN) Mediator apologises for lack of progress

BBC News ^ | 2/15/14 | BBC

[NormsRevenge]

The UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi has apologised to the Syrian people after peace talks in Geneva ended without making progress.

He had held final discussions with both sides in Geneva in a last-ditch bid to break the stalemate between the Syrian government and opposition.

Mr Brahimi said a key sticking point was the government's refusal to talk about a transitional governing body.

No date has been set for a third round of talks.

The UK and France have blamed President Assad's government for the failure of the talks.

The conflict in Syria has claimed more than 100,000 lives since March 2011.

Some 9.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes.

[SunkenCiv]

> Mr Brahimi said a key sticking point was the government’s refusal to talk about a transitional governing body.

Thanks NormsRevenge.

[mac_truck]

The Syrian government's position is that based on the Geneva One Declaration the first order of business in any discussion with the opposition is the cessation of fighting.

Statement of Syrian International Conference for Democratic Syria and Civilian State in Geneva

Transition of the government is like number six on the list.

[Veto!]

Thanks for additional info, mac-truck. I cannot even imagine 9.5 million innocent people forced from their homes. Tragic, crazy incomprehensible stuff going on there.

In 1987, Scott Davis, from Seattle, spent, as I recall, the better part of a year hacking around Syria. Wrote about his trip in an enjoyable book, Road from Damascus. http://www.amazon.com/Road-Damascus-Journey-Through-Cultures/dp/1885942532/ref=la_B001K7YDFK_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392501641&sr=1-2

The people he met sounded sort of average, much like Americans or anyone living in a dictatorial regime where it’s hard to start a business without greasing dozens of palms. That was the largest gripe Davis reported, besides an atmosphere of general looking over one’s shoulder. It seemed not as bad as living under commies in Russia.

I’m glad I read the book, which brought life in Syria into focus. Damascus, at the time, was 25% Christian, religious freedom was the norm, there were marvelous archeological sites to visit. Of course, the idiot rebels don’t care about any of that, they just want to destroy, destroy, destroy.

[PieterCasparzen]

So the negotiations are...

So, when will your government surrender to the US-backed rebels and let new world order take over your country ?

The negotiator was apologizing to his new world order masters, not to the Syrian people.

[mac_truck]

The negotiator was apologizing to his new world order masters, not to the Syrian people.

The new world order and their FR sycophents are in deep denial over Syria.