Saturday, November 23, 2013

Major Powers Hold Secret Talks To Improve U.N. Relief Efforts In Syria

Map detailing current Syrian refugee situation. Includes latest data on crossings into Iraq. Image by: RNGS / Reuters

Exclusive: Secret Talks to Save Syria Begin -- Colum Lynch, The Cable/Foreign Policy

The United States, Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia and others held secret and informal discussions on Thursday to devise a strategy for improving the U.N.'s stalled relief effort in Syria, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the effort.

The meeting -- which was held at the French mission to the United Nations in Geneva -- was convened to lay the ground work for a more formal meeting scheduled for November 26 on the future of international relief efforts in Syria.

The participation of American and Iranian officials provides further evidence that the decades-long diplomatic freeze between the two countries is beginning to thaw, offering new areas beyond the ongoing round of nuclear diplomacy where the long-time enemies can cooperate.

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My Comment: Everyone knows that this winter is going to be "hell" for millions of Syrian refugees. And while I do not know if these "secret talks" will lead to anything .... it is at least a start.

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