By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, November 25 -- The UN this morning announced a date for the Geneva II talks on Syria: January 22, 2014.
Nearly immediately Gulf media quoted their Syrian opposition that it should be further delayed; Bahiya Mardini was quoted that "US Ambassador Robert Ford has assured the opposition that the deal between Iran and Western countries regarding its nuclear program would not negatively affect the Syrian issue."
But there was no list or mention of invitees in the 333 word announcement sent out by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at 6 am in New York on Monday, see below. Is Iran invited?
The "Syrian Coalition" of Ahmed al Jarba, declared by France in September to be the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people after a faux UN briefing then UNnoticed meeting with Ban in his UN-provided residence, more than an hour later had not issued any statement.
Back on November 21, Jarbucks' Coalition had this to say:
"The Syrian Coalition condemns the twin blasts near the Iranian embassy south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, which killed and injured scores of civilians on Tuesday, November 19th. On behalf of the Syrian people, the Syrian Coalition extends its condolences to the people of Iran and hopes the government of Iran acknowledges the Syrian people’s daily suffering and reconsiders its unlimited support of the Assad Regime."
Inner City Press asked, what if this SNC statement's logic were applied to other attacks, like Nine Eleven or the Westgate Mall in Kenya? Then, the denunciation would be near-immediate. So where are the statements from Jarba's sponsors, in Paris, Riyadh, Washington and elsewhere? So far, none.
Here is this morning's announcement by the UN:
The Secretary-General is pleased to announce that he will convene the Geneva conference on Syria in Geneva on Wednesday, January 22, thus bringing the Syrian Government and opposition to a negotiating table for the first time since the start of the Syrian conflict.
The Secretary-General expresses deep appreciation to the Initiating States, the Governments of the Russian Federation and the United States, as well as to other Member States and Joint Special Representative Brahimi for their hard work that has brought us to this point.
We will go to Geneva with a mission of hope. The Geneva conference is the vehicle for a peaceful transition that fulfills the legitimate aspirations of all the Syrian people for freedom and dignity, and which guarantees safety and protection to all communities in Syria. Its goal is the full implementation of the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012, including the establishment, based on mutual consent, of a transitional governing body with full executive powers, including over military and security entities.
The Secretary-General expects that the Syrian representatives will come to Geneva with a clear understanding that this is the objective, and with a serious intention to end a war that has already left well over 100,000 dead, driven almost nine million from their homes, left countless missing and detained, sent tremors through the region and forced unacceptable burdens on Syria’s neighbors.
Noting the Security Council's endorsement of the full implementation of the Geneva Communiqué in Resolution 2118 (2013), the Secretary-General will expect all regional and international partners to demonstrate their meaningful support for constructive negotiations. All must show vision and leadership. All can begin working now to take steps to help the Geneva conference succeed, including toward the cessation of violence, humanitarian access, release of detainees and return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced to their homes.
The conflict in Syria has raged for too long. It would be unforgivable not to seize this opportunity to bring an end to the suffering and destruction it has caused.
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