Syria Opposition Says Russia Key to Progress at Geneva Talks
Syria's main opposition said Thursday that a just-concluded round of peace talks "laid the basis" for substantive negotiations next month, but warned that any real progress depended on Russia pressuring the government.
United Nations mediator Staffan de Mistura was expected to announce later Thursday the date for the next round of talks .
Like the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), de Mistura has repeatedly highlighted the importance of Russia's influence over its ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad.
De Mistura has indicated that Moscow could prove key to resolving the major deadlock at the talks, political transition and the HNC's demand that Assad leave power before any deal is agreed.
"I think out of these two weeks we come out with the feeling that we have perhaps laid the basis for substantive talks at the next round," HNC spokeswoman Bassma Kodmani told journalists following the opposition's last meeting with the U.N. mediator this round.
"This is a unique moment, a precious moment and we hope Russia will seize this moment and use its leverage," Kodmani said.
"Without this leverage on the regime we have little hope that anything will happen."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, whose government backs the HNC, was in Moscow on Thursday to see if President Vladimir Putin can be convinced to support an end to Assad's rule.
Damascus has insisted that Assad's fate be "excluded" as a subject during the peace process.
De Mistura has described the Kerry-Putin meeting as crucial, and "not coincidental", coming the day the Geneva talks go into recess.
Putin has stood by Assad, and even sent Russian warplanes to fight to protect his regime and strike the extremist Islamic State group, which has seized territory in the east of the country.
But Moscow recently announced a partial withdrawal of its forces from Syria, creating what Washington believes is an opportunity to press for a change of stance on the regime.
The U.N. envoy has submitted a paper to the regime and the HNC outlining what he sees as points of agreements following two weeks of indirect negotiations.
According to a draft of the text seen by AFP, the document is similar to a U.N. Security Council resolution passed in December which formed the basis of the Geneva talks.
It notes the need "to put in place a credible, inclusive and non-sectarian government."
Kodmani said the HNC views de Mistura's text as "constructive and we have discussed it with a positive spirit."
Source: Agence France Presse
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