The Core Group of the Friends of Syria -- better
known as the “London 11” -- will devote their Sunday, January 12, meeting in
Paris to sweet-talk Syria’s opposition umbrella organization into attending the
Geneva-2 conference.
Reporting
today from the French capital for the Saudi newspaper of records Asharq Alawsat, Michel Abu Najm quotes
official French sources as saying they are “aware of the threats facing the
Syrian National Coalition’s future and are familiar with its sensitive position
and the difficulty of choosing between participating or boycotting the Geneva-2
conference.”
Abu Najm also quotes opposition sources as confirming
the National Council risks splintering into factions after more than half its
121 members served notice this week they would walk away if the Council opted to
sit at the Syria peace table in the Swiss resort of Montreux on January 22 (see
my previous post, “The
Syrian National Coalition is on its last leg”).
The different factions
in the National Coalition were unable to reach an agreement on participation at
two days of talks in Istanbul this week and postponed a decision on the issue
until January 17.
The Syrian National
Council, the main 28-member group in the National Coalition, is threatening to
boycott the peace talks unless it has assurances that President Bashar al-Assad
will be forced to give up power.
The
Syrian government has said it will attend the talks but that Assad's departure
is not up for negotiation.
The
11-nation core group of the “Friends of Syria” consists of Britain, Egypt,
France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab
Emirates and the United States.
A statement by the Quai d’Orsay says Sunday’s
meeting of the London 11 in Paris “will be chaired by Laurent Fabius, Minister
of Foreign Affairs, and will take place in the presence of a Syrian National
Coalition delegation led by its recently re-elected president, Ahmad al-Jarba.
“This meeting will allow us to reaffirm our
full support for the Syrian National Coalition and, in the run-up to the Geneva
II conference, to reiterate our shared vision of a political transition
addressing the Syrian people’s legitimate aspirations. The creation of a
transitional government body with full executive powers is the central
objective of the Geneva II conference.
“At a time when the
regime’s headlong pursuit of repression against the people continues to
aggravate the humanitarian situation, this ministerial meeting will signal our
desire to provide increased help to the Syrian National Coalition and the
Syrian people, particularly in the liberated areas.”
In context, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote in part in his
January 6 invitation letter to participants in the Geneva-2 conference:
…I
am now convening the Geneva Conference on Syria, and am pleased to invite you
to attend the high-level international meeting that will launch the Conference.
The
Conference aims to assist the Syrian parties in ending the violence and
achieving a comprehensive agreement for a political settlement, implementing
fully the Geneva Communiqué, while preserving the sovereignty, independence,
unity and territorial integrity of Syria. The Communiqué contains Principles
and Guidelines for a Syrian-led transition. These set out a number of key
steps, beginning with agreement on a transitional governing body with full
executive powers, formed by mutual consent. As the Geneva Communiqué says, the
public services must be preserved or restored. This includes the military forces
and security and intelligence services. All governmental institutions and state
offices must perform according to professional and human rights standards,
operating under a top leadership that inspires public confidence, under the
control of the transitional governing body.
The
Geneva Conference on Syria will convene under my chairmanship, first in an
international high-level format over one day at Montreux, Switzerland, on 22
January 2014, beginning at 9 a.m. Negotiations between the two Syrian parties,
facilitated by the Joint Special Representative for Syria, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi,
will follow immediately in Geneva on 24 January 2014. Adjournments and
subsequent meetings may take place in accordance with a work plan to be agreed.
The high-level international meeting may resume its deliberations as required.
I
am confident the international participants who gather in Montreux will offer
meaningful support for constructive negotiations between the Syrian parties in
Geneva. I am sure that all present will do their utmost to encourage the Syrian
parties to reach a comprehensive settlement, fully implementing the Geneva
Communiqué, within an accelerated time frame. In addition to participation in
the high-level meeting, it may be necessary to call upon you to assist further
as the negotiations between the Syrian parties progress.
In
inviting the Syrian parties, I have reminded them that the Security Council has
called on them to engage seriously and constructively at the Conference, and
underscored that they should be broadly representative and committed to the
implementation of the Geneva Communiqué and to the achievement of stability and
reconciliation. I have also reminded the Syrian parties that, consistent with
the Geneva Communiqué as well as Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and
other relevant resolutions (Annex II), full and effective participation of
women is essential.
I
look forward to confirmation of attendance of your delegation, and the list of
delegates and advisers, at your earliest convenience.
Confirmation
of attendance will be taken as commitment to the aims of the Conference stated
above, in accordance with the Geneva Communiqué, in particular the Principles
and Guidelines for a Syrian-led Transition contained in it.
The
Office of the Joint Special Representative will provide a technical information
note in due course.
The
conflict in Syria has raged for too long, and has imposed too many sacrifices
on the people of Syria. The Government and all parties must allow immediate and
full humanitarian access to all conflict-affected areas. The violence must be
ended expeditiously. All attacks against civilians should cease. All parties
must work to put an end to all terrorist acts. The Geneva Conference offers a
unique avenue towards these ends. I am deeply grateful for your cooperation in
this venture, to help ensure that peace can be restored and the transition
foreseen in the Geneva Communiqué can be implemented in a way that fully meets
the aspirations of the Syrian people…
