Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Russia And The U.S. Disagree On The Format For Syrian Peace Talks

United Nations Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi (C) returns to a hotel after meeting Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian capital Damascus October 30, 2013. REUTERS-Khaled al-Hariri

Exclusive: Syria Peace Talks Face Delay As Big Powers Split -- Reuters

(Reuters) - International powers are unlikely to meet their goal of convening peace talks on Syria in Geneva next month as differences emerge between Washington and Moscow over opposition representation, Arab and Western officials said.

Failure of the main Syrian National Coalition to take a clear stance over the talks, which aim to find a political solution to Syria's 2-1/2 year civil war, are also expected to contribute to a delay of up to one month, the officials told Reuters.

"A clearer picture will emerge when the United States and Russia meet next week, but all indications show that the November 23 goal will be difficult to meet," said one of the officials involved in preparing for the talks.

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My Comment: The Syrian opposition is divided .... and I suspect that many of their differences are irreconcilable. In the meantime .... Syrian President Assad is laying down his conditions.

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