Jan 20,2016 – JORDAN TIMES – Editorial
The future of the projected peace talks on Syria, scheduled for January 25, hangs in the balance as both sides of the conflict are making demands that may thwart negotiations even before they start.
The initiative to hold peace talks was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council last month, which thus breathed new life into the endless efforts to bring the Syrian conflict to a peaceful resolution, especially as both the US and Russia stand behind it.
On the one hand, opposition groups in Syria want an end to the siege of towns, a ceasefire that is faithfully respected by all sides and the release of detainees.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura insists that the January 25 deadline must be met and that all obstacles will be removed by then, including the demand by Damascus and Moscow to exclude certain opposition groups, such as Ahrar Al Sham and Jaysh Al Islam, which they consider terrorist groups, from the negotiating table.
Some of the preconditions set by the sides appear fair and sensible, including the demand for a ceasefire and an end to the siege of the beleaguered population.
Such measures would show goodwill before serious peace talks are held in a realistic and promising framework.
The exclusion of certain opposition factions from the Syrian opposition delegation may prove to be difficult to execute before the January 25 deadline.
There are only five days left until the conference is to be held, too short a time to come to an agreement on what constitutes a terrorist faction.
Damascus and its allies might wish to show more flexibility on this issue, as a peace conference should include all parties to the conflict if the ensuing peace — if it happens, as one hopes — is to be accepted across the board and be durable.
It is axiomatic that peace talks are conducted with enemies and not with friends.
Much hope is being pinned on the January 25 conference. Both sides to the conflict should make an effort to make the talks succeed if they wish to see an end to the death and destruction in their country.
– See more at: http://www.jordantimes.com/opinion/editorial/peace-talks-syria-succeed#comment-5722
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Syria, The Muslim Times
For Syria’s peace talks to succeed we have to start with the ‘foreign sources’ who fund and arm the terrorist groups to start agreeing to stop their support and interference. Just to talk with the ‘end user’ is not sufficient. (And what happened to the ISIS oil trade?)
@ Rafiq A. Tschannen—Yes we need to know who fund and arm the terrorist groups .
I believe that as long as Saudi Arabia and Iran do not obey Human Right in its country, and still treat religious minority unfair, unjust, there is no permanent peace.
Human right is the main key to achieve permanent peace in Middle East and between Sunni and Shia.
I do not see another alternative solution.
May Allah guide Muslim leaders to the right path of Islam.
Was Salam–Love