Russia Says Syria Has Agreed to Talks

[alp227]

Russia announced on Monday that it had convinced Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria to start informal negotiations in Moscow with representatives of the opposition in an effort to end a bloody uprising that has left thousands dead.

The Russian Foreign Ministry, which made the announcement, said in a statement that it had not yet received an answer from the opposition, but urged a speedy reply.

“In an attempt to contribute with the Syrians to a peaceful settlement without foreign intervention and with respect to the sovereignty of Syria, we have appealed to the Syrian government and to all opposition groups to send their representatives to Moscow at a mutually acceptable time for informal contacts without prior conditions,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Agence France-Presse reported that the Syrian National Council, the umbrella group of political opposition to Mr. Assad, had rejected the Russian offer unless Mr. Assad stepped down first, a point of disagreement that seemed irreconcilable.

full: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/world/europe/russia-says-syria-has-agreed-to-talks.html

[David__77]

1. Smart tactical move by the Russians and Syrians.

Now one faction of the opposition has hemmed itself in by opposing any negotiation with the Syrian government under any circumstances. The US/UK/France cannot openly oppose Russian efforts at mediation, and their effort blunts any blowback from the inevitable veto of the "regime change" resolution the West/Gulf states are presenting.