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Geneva II Conference on Syria

January 30, 2023

"Geneva II" redirects here. For the treaty extending the Geneva Conventions to the sea, see Second Geneva Convention. For other conferences in Geneva, see Geneva Conference (disambiguation).

The Geneva II Conference on Syria[1] (also called Geneva II Middle East peace conference[2][3] or simply Geneva II[4]) was a United Nations-backed international peace conference on the future of Syria[5] with the aim of ending the Syrian Civil War, by bringing together the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition to discuss[6] the clear steps[7] towards a transitional government for Syria with full executive powers.[8] The conference took place on 22 January 2014 in Montreux, on 23–31 January 2014 in Geneva (Switzerland), and again on 10–15 February 2014.[9]

Geneva II Conference on Syria
GenrePeace conference
Location(s)Montreux and Geneva
CountrySwitzerland
Organized byUnited Nations
The Montreux Palace. The Geneva II Conference on Syria took place on 22 January 2014 in Montreux and on 23–31 January 2014 in Geneva (Switzerland).

This conference was pursued by UN peace envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi in cooperation with the United States and Russia.[6] According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 1,870 people died across Syria during the nine days of the conference.[10]

New peace negotiations took place in 2016 in the new Geneva peace talks on Syria (2016).

Background

June 2012 Geneva "action group"

An "action group" conference (now referred to as Geneva I Conference on Syria) was held on Saturday 30 June 2012, in Geneva, initiated by the then UN peace envoy to Syria Kofi Annan,[6] and attended by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, a representative of China, British Foreign Secretary Hague, and Kofi Annan.[8] Mr Annan, issuing a communiqué,[7] said that the conference agreed[11] on the need for a "transitional government body with full executive powers" which could include members of the present Syrian government and of the opposition.[8] William Hague said that all five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, Russia, China, France and the UK – supported Mr Annan's efforts.[8] Clinton however suggested that Syrian president Assad could, in such transitional government, not remain in power, which immediately was contradicted by Lavrov.[8]

The final communiqué[12] states that any political settlement must deliver a transition that:

  • Offers a perspective for the future that can be shared by all in Syria.
  • Establishes clear steps according to a firm time-table towards the realization of that perspective.
  • Can be implemented in a climate of safety for all, stability and calm.
  • Is reached rapidly without further bloodshed and violence and is credible.

The key steps in the transition should include:[12]

  • Establishment of a transitional governing body with full executive powers that could include members of the government and opposition, and should be formed on the basis of mutual consent.
  • Participation of all groups and segments of society in Syria in a meaningful national dialogue process.
  • Review of the constitutional order and the legal system.
  • Free and fair multi-party elections for the new institutions and offices that have been established.
  • Full representation of women in all aspects of the transition.

Brahimi Initiative

After this June 2012 meeting, Lakhdar Brahimi, who was appointed as the new UN peace envoy to Syria in August 2012, started to prepare an international conference on ending Syria's civil war, in close cooperation with the Russian Federation and the United States.[6] Two Syrian delegations, both the government and opposition, would be brought together at the conference.[6]

In May 2013, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed to try to "bring both sides to the table" to end the bloodshed. Their initiative gained greater impetus after Ghouta chemical attack on the outskirts of Damascus killed hundreds of people, on 21 August 2013.[13]

Aims

The objectives of the Geneva II conference are to bring one delegation representing the Syrian Ba'athist government and one representing the Syrian opposition together to discuss how to implement the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012 [7] (a "transitional government"), end the war, and start a process toward a New Syrian republic.[6] Attitudes by Syrian groups and by the US and Russia towards the role of President Bashar al-Assad in a transitional period differ and are expected by The Economist magazine to constitute a major issue at the conference.[14]

Obstacles before 'Geneva II'

Brahimi said in August 2013 that the main problem was getting the different groups in Syria and their different international supporters to accept the "very principle of a political solution." He said that this has been the UN approach to the Syrian civil war since the war began. Brahimi said that his

main message to the Syrian parties ... [is] that there is no military solution to this devastating conflict. Only a political solution will put an end to it. And the basis for such a solution does exist. It is the Communiqué issued on 30 June 2012,[7] after the meeting, in Geneva, of the so called 'Action Group' of countries convened[11] at the initiative of Kofi Annan.[6]

The Syrian government said on 3 November 2013, that the comments of US Secretary of State John Kerry could cause the peace talks to fail, because they are "an aggression against the Syrian people's right to decide their future."[15]

Participants

 
Map of countries participating in the Geneva II peace conference shown in green and Syria in red.

The list of the participant countries of the Geneva II Conference on Syria was determined on 20 December 2013.[16]

International organizations
States and subjects of public international law

Syrian participation

On 22 July 2013 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Syrian government is ready to engage in the conference without preconditions.[19] On 25 November 2013, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced that on the planned conference on 22 January 2014, members of the Syrian government and of the opposition will be present.[citation needed]

Following the publication of the list of participants on 20 December 2013. Hassan Abboud, the leader of Ahrar ash-Sham, has said that it not be bound by the outcome of the talks.[20] The Islamic Front has rejected the talks.[21] The Syrian National Council has withdrawn from the Syrian National Coalition in protest at the decision of the coalition to attend the talks.[22] The Syria Revolutionaries Front and the Ajnad al-Sham Islamic Union have supported the talks and want to be represented at the conference.[23] On 20 December 2013, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party requested a delegation to the conference, citing the fact that Kurdish forces had created a semi-Autonomous state in northern Syria but were not invited.[citation needed] The opposition delegation is headed by Hadi al-Bahra.

Iranian participation

In May 2013, Iranian Ambassador to the UN Mohammad Khazaee said that Iran would decide on its participation in the conference, depending "on the details that we will consider when we receive them."[24] On 19 January 2014, the Syrian National Coalition threatened to leave the talks after a last minute (by measure of days) invitation to the Iranian government by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to participate in the conference in Montreux, 22 January.[25] The United States viewed the invitation to Iran to attend the Geneva II conference as conditioned on Iran's explicit and public support for the full implementation of the Geneva I communiqué.[26] Following nearly 24 hours of confusion Ban Ki-moon rescinded the invitation to Iran;[27] the Syrian National Coalition announced that it would attend the conference shortly afterwards.[28]

Proposed dates

The conference was initially proposed for the end of May 2013, with participation expected by representatives of the Syrian National Coalition, the president Bashar al-Assad government of Syria, the United States and Russia, and coordination by Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN peace envoy for Syria.[29] In late June, the United States postponed the conference.[30]

In mid-August 2013, UN diplomats tentatively proposed mid-October 2013 for the conference date.[31]

On 5 November 2013, Brahimi said that US and Russia could not reach an agreement over the date for the conference, and further deliberation over the pursued conference would take place 25 November 2013.[citation needed] As a November date could not be agreed, Brahimi still hoped to get a meeting before the end of 2013.[32] On 14 November, it was reported the conference may take place beginning 12 December 2013.[33] The report allegedly quoted a message from the US Secretary of State John Kerry to his French counterpart Laurent Fabius. On 25 November 2013, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon announced that the conference would be held on 22 January 2014.[34]

Preparations

In August 2013, Lakhdar Brahimi moved his headquarters from Cairo to Geneva in order to prepare for the conference.[5] Brahimi stated that his office kept "communication channels open" with the al-Assad government through an office in Damascus, with the civilian and armed opposition groups in Syria and in exile, and with "various groups representing civil society, including women, both inside and outside Syria." He said that the UN is encouraging all groups to guarantee the participation of women and other components of "civil society" in the peace and reconstruction process.[6]

In early August 2013, meetings took place in Paris between US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford and Syrian opposition members to plan for the conference and discuss the chances of reaching a consensual political balance for all involved groups to meet together for negotiations.[31] Elements of a "shared political platform" to be discussed by a pre-Geneva-II meeting of up to 25 members of various opposition groups included a "civil democratic transitional period" that would begin with the conference, preparing drafts of documents with constitutional principles and transitional justice for a transitional period, reorganisation of security and military forces, cooperation rather than competition between opposition groups, post-war reconstruction, media policy, and the balance between difference opposition civilian and military components.[31]

A pre-Geneva-II meeting in The Hague by senior US and Russian diplomats was planned for 28 August 2013 but postponed by the US Department of State because of "ongoing consultations" relating to the 2013 Ghouta chemical weapons attacks. A Department of State representative stated that the US "would work with Russia to reschedule [the] planned meeting and that the alleged chemical weapons attack demonstrated the need for a 'comprehensive and durable political solution'."[35]

Conference

On 22 January 2014 the conference started in Montreux. Foreign ministers from forty countries made statements. US Secretary of State John Kerry stated the US view that Assad is obliged to step down as part of any transitional Syrian administration: "There is no way, no way possible, that a man who has led a brutal response to his own people can regain legitimacy to govern". Syrian National Coalition leader Ahmed Jarba called on the government to immediately transfer power to a transitional authority. In response to Kerry, the Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem stated:

No-one in the world has the right to confer or withdraw the legitimacy of a president, a constitution or a law, except for the Syrians themselves.

He accused a number of states of supporting terrorism and deliberately attempting to destabilize Syria.[36][37][38]

On Friday 24 January 2014, the opposing sides would hold their first face-to-face talks, in the presence of United Nations mediators.[39] It was later said[who?] in the talks that Assad's position as president is non-negotiable.[citation needed]

Still later on 24 January, United Nations spokeswoman, Alessandra Velluci, told a news briefing in Geneva, "This process is being shaped at the moment. It has to take time for the preparations. There are no Syrian-Syrian talks at the moment. I cannot tell you anything about what will happen in the next few days."[40]

The first round of talks ended on 31 January.[41] The second round of negotiations took place on 10–15 February 2014, but yielded no tangible results. The two weeklong rounds have produced no actual negotiations on resolving a conflict or even what discuss and how to do so. A third round of negotiations was planned, though no dates were set.[9][42]

Reactions

Ahmed Jarba, president of the Syrian National Coalition, stated in late July 2013 that he expected the conference to take place, doubted its success in ending the conflict, and hoped for a transitional government to end the civil war.[43] The Syrian National Council which was part of the Syrian National Coalition withdrew from the coalition on 20 January 2014 in protest at the decision of the latter to attend the Geneva talks.[44]

On 22 January, in reaction to the UN Secretary General's withdrawal of the invitation to his country to participate in the conference, Iranian President Hasan Rouhani stated that the "lack of influential players" attending meant that he doubted the ability of Geneva II to solve the crisis.[36]

See also

References

  1. ^ "BBC News – What is the Geneva II conference on Syria?". BBC. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  2. ^ studies.aljazeera.net http://studies.aljazeera.net/en/live/404-error.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ "Council of EU – Newsroom". tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu.
  4. ^ UN News Center. Preparations for upcoming Syria peace conference 'on track,’ says UN chief. "The goal of the so-called "Geneva II" conference is to achieve a political solution to the conflict through a comprehensive agreement between the Government and the opposition for the full implementation of the Geneva communiqué, adopted after the first international meeting on the issue on 30 June 2012, which called for the creation of a transitional government that would lead to holding elections.".[1]
  5. ^ a b Miles, Tom; Stephanie Nebehay; Mark Heinrich (28 August 2013). "Military intervention in Syria would need U.N. approval: Brahimi". reuters.com. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Politically Speaking (22 August 2013). . The Elders. Archived from the original on 8 September 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d . UNO. 30 June 2012. Archived from the original on 29 January 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d e "UN envoy calls for transitional government in Syria". BBC. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  9. ^ a b "2nd round of Geneva II Conference on Syria achieved no tangible results". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  10. ^ http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Feb-01/246045-at-least-1870-die-during-geneva-talks.ashx#axzz2rwVSpFO4 At least 1,870 die during Geneva talks
  11. ^ a b . UN.NewsCentre. 30 June 2012. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  12. ^ a b Action Group for Syria Final Communiqué, 30 June 2012
  13. ^ "What is the Geneva II conference on Syria?". bbc. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  14. ^ . The Economist. 25 May 2013. Archived from the original on 29 August 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  15. ^ "Future of Syria peace talks in question". Al Jazeera English. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  16. ^ "List of Geneva II participant countries determined". Anadolu Agency. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  17. ^ Dominique Fiers en Jos De Greef (20 January 2014). "Iran gaat toch niet naar Syrië-conferentie". Deredactie.be. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  18. ^ "Delegazione della Santa Sede alla Conferenza Internazionale per la pace in Siria Ginevra 2". 22 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Russia Says Assad Is Ready for Peace Talks". New York Times. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  20. ^ "Hassan Abboud: 'We will fight for our rights'". Al Jazeera English. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  21. ^ "Islamist rebels reject 'hollow' Syria peace talks". Agencies. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  22. ^ "Main bloc quits Syrian National Coalition over Geneva". The Times of Israel. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  23. ^ "Syrian rebels try to agree peace talks stance in Turkey". Reuters. 19 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  24. ^ Parasiliti, Andrew (24 May 2013). . Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 4 September 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  25. ^ "U.N. chief invites Iran to Geneva 2, Syria opposition threatens to withdraw". Reuters. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  26. ^ Press statement of the US Department of State, 19 January 2014, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/01/220043.htm.
  27. ^ "U.N. withdraws Iran invitation to Geneva". Daily Star. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  28. ^ "U.N. backs down in standoff over Iran, opening way for Syria peace talks". washingtonpost. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  29. ^ . Associated Press. 13 May 2013. Archived from the original on 4 September 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  30. ^ US all but rules out Syria conference in July, Al Arabiya News, 26 June 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  31. ^ a b c Ballout, Mohammad; Anthony Goode (14 August 2013). . Al-Monitor/As-Safir (Lebanon). Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  32. ^ "No date agreed for Syria peace conference". Al Jazeera English. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  33. ^ "Geneva II on Syria may start 12 Dec. – News – Politics – Russian Radio". Indian.ruvr.ru. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  34. ^ "United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Statements". Un.org. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  35. ^ Heritage, Timothy; Elizabeth Piper (27 August 2013). "Russia regrets U.S. postponement of Hague meeting on Syria". Reuters. from the original on 30 August 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  36. ^ a b "Syria Geneva II peace conference begins with bitter speeches". BBC. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  37. ^ Weaver, Matthew (22 January 2014). "Syria accuses the west of pouring arms into the hands of terrorists". Guardian. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  38. ^ "Syria peace talks open with bitter rhetoric". Los Angeles Times. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  39. ^ "As Syria peace conference begins, rifts over Iran point to deep divisions". washingtonpost. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  40. ^ United Nations spokeswoman, Alessandra Velluci speaks at news briefing Friday 24 Jan __ al Jazeera (english) | http://live.aljazeera.com/Event/Syria_Live_Blog/103000598
  41. ^ 'No progress to speak of' as first round of UN-sponsored Syrian peace talks ends | UN News Centre, 31 January 2014 | http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp/h%3Cspan%20class=%27pullme%27%3EIn%20short,%20when%20you%20empower%20a%20woman,%20you%20change%20the%20world%3C/span%3Ettp://www.unfpa.org/html/www.unicef.org/story.asp?NewsID=47052&Cr=syria&Cr1=#.Uu2E5vtjHHl
  42. ^ After Second Round of Syria Talks, No Agreement Even on How to Negotiate, NYTimes, By ANNE BARNARD and NICK CUMMING-BRUCE, 15, FEB 2014
  43. ^ "Al Arabiya Exclusive: SNC leader says Geneva II may end Syria war". Al Arabiya. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  44. ^ "Main bloc quits Syrian National Coalition over Geneva". The Times of Israel. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.

External links

  • Official website (United Nations)
  • Final communiqué of the Geneva I Conference (2012)

January 30, 2023
geneva, conference, syria, geneva, redirects, here, treaty, extending, geneva, conventions, second, geneva, convention, other, conferences, geneva, geneva, conference, disambiguation, also, called, geneva, middle, east, peace, conference, simply, geneva, unite. Geneva II redirects here For the treaty extending the Geneva Conventions to the sea see Second Geneva Convention For other conferences in Geneva see Geneva Conference disambiguation The Geneva II Conference on Syria 1 also called Geneva II Middle East peace conference 2 3 or simply Geneva II 4 was a United Nations backed international peace conference on the future of Syria 5 with the aim of ending the Syrian Civil War by bringing together the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition to discuss 6 the clear steps 7 towards a transitional government for Syria with full executive powers 8 The conference took place on 22 January 2014 in Montreux on 23 31 January 2014 in Geneva Switzerland and again on 10 15 February 2014 9 Geneva II Conference on SyriaThe Palais des Nations United Nations Office at Geneva in October 2010 GenrePeace conferenceLocation s Montreux and GenevaCountrySwitzerlandOrganized byUnited NationsThe Montreux Palace The Geneva II Conference on Syria took place on 22 January 2014 in Montreux and on 23 31 January 2014 in Geneva Switzerland This conference was pursued by UN peace envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi in cooperation with the United States and Russia 6 According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights at least 1 870 people died across Syria during the nine days of the conference 10 New peace negotiations took place in 2016 in the new Geneva peace talks on Syria 2016 Contents 1 Background 1 1 June 2012 Geneva action group 1 2 Brahimi Initiative 2 Aims 3 Obstacles before Geneva II 4 Participants 4 1 Syrian participation 4 2 Iranian participation 5 Proposed dates 6 Preparations 7 Conference 8 Reactions 9 See also 10 References 11 External linksBackground EditJune 2012 Geneva action group Edit An action group conference now referred to as Geneva I Conference on Syria was held on Saturday 30 June 2012 in Geneva initiated by the then UN peace envoy to Syria Kofi Annan 6 and attended by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov a representative of China British Foreign Secretary Hague and Kofi Annan 8 Mr Annan issuing a communique 7 said that the conference agreed 11 on the need for a transitional government body with full executive powers which could include members of the present Syrian government and of the opposition 8 William Hague said that all five permanent members of the UN Security Council the US Russia China France and the UK supported Mr Annan s efforts 8 Clinton however suggested that Syrian president Assad could in such transitional government not remain in power which immediately was contradicted by Lavrov 8 The final communique 12 states that any political settlement must deliver a transition that Offers a perspective for the future that can be shared by all in Syria Establishes clear steps according to a firm time table towards the realization of that perspective Can be implemented in a climate of safety for all stability and calm Is reached rapidly without further bloodshed and violence and is credible The key steps in the transition should include 12 Establishment of a transitional governing body with full executive powers that could include members of the government and opposition and should be formed on the basis of mutual consent Participation of all groups and segments of society in Syria in a meaningful national dialogue process Review of the constitutional order and the legal system Free and fair multi party elections for the new institutions and offices that have been established Full representation of women in all aspects of the transition Brahimi Initiative Edit After this June 2012 meeting Lakhdar Brahimi who was appointed as the new UN peace envoy to Syria in August 2012 started to prepare an international conference on ending Syria s civil war in close cooperation with the Russian Federation and the United States 6 Two Syrian delegations both the government and opposition would be brought together at the conference 6 In May 2013 US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed to try to bring both sides to the table to end the bloodshed Their initiative gained greater impetus after Ghouta chemical attack on the outskirts of Damascus killed hundreds of people on 21 August 2013 13 Aims EditThe objectives of the Geneva II conference are to bring one delegation representing the Syrian Ba athist government and one representing the Syrian opposition together to discuss how to implement the Geneva Communique of 30 June 2012 7 a transitional government end the war and start a process toward a New Syrian republic 6 Attitudes by Syrian groups and by the US and Russia towards the role of President Bashar al Assad in a transitional period differ and are expected by The Economist magazine to constitute a major issue at the conference 14 Obstacles before Geneva II EditBrahimi said in August 2013 that the main problem was getting the different groups in Syria and their different international supporters to accept the very principle of a political solution He said that this has been the UN approach to the Syrian civil war since the war began Brahimi said that hismain message to the Syrian parties is that there is no military solution to this devastating conflict Only a political solution will put an end to it And the basis for such a solution does exist It is the Communique issued on 30 June 2012 7 after the meeting in Geneva of the so called Action Group of countries convened 11 at the initiative of Kofi Annan 6 The Syrian government said on 3 November 2013 that the comments of US Secretary of State John Kerry could cause the peace talks to fail because they are an aggression against the Syrian people s right to decide their future 15 Participants Edit Map of countries participating in the Geneva II peace conference shown in green and Syria in red The list of the participant countries of the Geneva II Conference on Syria was determined on 20 December 2013 16 International organizations United Nations European Union Arab League Organisation of Islamic CooperationStates and subjects of public international law Algeria Australia Bahrain Belgium 17 Brazil Canada China Denmark Egypt France Germany Greece India Indonesia Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Luxembourg Mexico Morocco Norway Netherlands Oman Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia South Africa South Korea Spain Sudan Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Vatican City 18 Syrian participation Edit On 22 July 2013 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Syrian government is ready to engage in the conference without preconditions 19 On 25 November 2013 UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon announced that on the planned conference on 22 January 2014 members of the Syrian government and of the opposition will be present citation needed Following the publication of the list of participants on 20 December 2013 Hassan Abboud the leader of Ahrar ash Sham has said that it not be bound by the outcome of the talks 20 The Islamic Front has rejected the talks 21 The Syrian National Council has withdrawn from the Syrian National Coalition in protest at the decision of the coalition to attend the talks 22 The Syria Revolutionaries Front and the Ajnad al Sham Islamic Union have supported the talks and want to be represented at the conference 23 On 20 December 2013 the Kurdish Democratic Union Party requested a delegation to the conference citing the fact that Kurdish forces had created a semi Autonomous state in northern Syria but were not invited citation needed The opposition delegation is headed by Hadi al Bahra Iranian participation Edit In May 2013 Iranian Ambassador to the UN Mohammad Khazaee said that Iran would decide on its participation in the conference depending on the details that we will consider when we receive them 24 On 19 January 2014 the Syrian National Coalition threatened to leave the talks after a last minute by measure of days invitation to the Iranian government by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to participate in the conference in Montreux 22 January 25 The United States viewed the invitation to Iran to attend the Geneva II conference as conditioned on Iran s explicit and public support for the full implementation of the Geneva I communique 26 Following nearly 24 hours of confusion Ban Ki moon rescinded the invitation to Iran 27 the Syrian National Coalition announced that it would attend the conference shortly afterwards 28 Proposed dates EditThe conference was initially proposed for the end of May 2013 with participation expected by representatives of the Syrian National Coalition the president Bashar al Assad government of Syria the United States and Russia and coordination by Lakhdar Brahimi the UN peace envoy for Syria 29 In late June the United States postponed the conference 30 In mid August 2013 UN diplomats tentatively proposed mid October 2013 for the conference date 31 On 5 November 2013 Brahimi said that US and Russia could not reach an agreement over the date for the conference and further deliberation over the pursued conference would take place 25 November 2013 citation needed As a November date could not be agreed Brahimi still hoped to get a meeting before the end of 2013 32 On 14 November it was reported the conference may take place beginning 12 December 2013 33 The report allegedly quoted a message from the US Secretary of State John Kerry to his French counterpart Laurent Fabius On 25 November 2013 UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon announced that the conference would be held on 22 January 2014 34 Preparations EditIn August 2013 Lakhdar Brahimi moved his headquarters from Cairo to Geneva in order to prepare for the conference 5 Brahimi stated that his office kept communication channels open with the al Assad government through an office in Damascus with the civilian and armed opposition groups in Syria and in exile and with various groups representing civil society including women both inside and outside Syria He said that the UN is encouraging all groups to guarantee the participation of women and other components of civil society in the peace and reconstruction process 6 In early August 2013 meetings took place in Paris between US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford and Syrian opposition members to plan for the conference and discuss the chances of reaching a consensual political balance for all involved groups to meet together for negotiations 31 Elements of a shared political platform to be discussed by a pre Geneva II meeting of up to 25 members of various opposition groups included a civil democratic transitional period that would begin with the conference preparing drafts of documents with constitutional principles and transitional justice for a transitional period reorganisation of security and military forces cooperation rather than competition between opposition groups post war reconstruction media policy and the balance between difference opposition civilian and military components 31 A pre Geneva II meeting in The Hague by senior US and Russian diplomats was planned for 28 August 2013 but postponed by the US Department of State because of ongoing consultations relating to the 2013 Ghouta chemical weapons attacks A Department of State representative stated that the US would work with Russia to reschedule the planned meeting and that the alleged chemical weapons attack demonstrated the need for a comprehensive and durable political solution 35 Conference Edit Evangelos Venizelos and Emma BoninoOn 22 January 2014 the conference started in Montreux Foreign ministers from forty countries made statements US Secretary of State John Kerry stated the US view that Assad is obliged to step down as part of any transitional Syrian administration There is no way no way possible that a man who has led a brutal response to his own people can regain legitimacy to govern Syrian National Coalition leader Ahmed Jarba called on the government to immediately transfer power to a transitional authority In response to Kerry the Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem stated No one in the world has the right to confer or withdraw the legitimacy of a president a constitution or a law except for the Syrians themselves He accused a number of states of supporting terrorism and deliberately attempting to destabilize Syria 36 37 38 On Friday 24 January 2014 the opposing sides would hold their first face to face talks in the presence of United Nations mediators 39 It was later said who in the talks that Assad s position as president is non negotiable citation needed Still later on 24 January United Nations spokeswoman Alessandra Velluci told a news briefing in Geneva This process is being shaped at the moment It has to take time for the preparations There are no Syrian Syrian talks at the moment I cannot tell you anything about what will happen in the next few days 40 The first round of talks ended on 31 January 41 The second round of negotiations took place on 10 15 February 2014 but yielded no tangible results The two weeklong rounds have produced no actual negotiations on resolving a conflict or even what discuss and how to do so A third round of negotiations was planned though no dates were set 9 42 Reactions EditAhmed Jarba president of the Syrian National Coalition stated in late July 2013 that he expected the conference to take place doubted its success in ending the conflict and hoped for a transitional government to end the civil war 43 The Syrian National Council which was part of the Syrian National Coalition withdrew from the coalition on 20 January 2014 in protest at the decision of the latter to attend the Geneva talks 44 On 22 January in reaction to the UN Secretary General s withdrawal of the invitation to his country to participate in the conference Iranian President Hasan Rouhani stated that the lack of influential players attending meant that he doubted the ability of Geneva II to solve the crisis 36 See also EditSyrian conflict peace proposals Geneva Conference disambiguation 2014 Syrian detainee reportReferences Edit BBC News What is the Geneva II conference on Syria BBC 22 January 2014 Retrieved 23 January 2014 studies aljazeera net http studies aljazeera net en live 404 error html a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a Missing or empty title help Council of EU Newsroom tvnewsroom consilium europa eu UN News Center Preparations for upcoming Syria peace conference on track says UN chief The goal of the so called Geneva II conference is to achieve a political solution to the conflict through a comprehensive agreement between the Government and the opposition for the full implementation of the Geneva communique adopted after the first international meeting on the issue on 30 June 2012 which called for the creation of a transitional government that would lead to holding elections 1 a b Miles Tom Stephanie Nebehay Mark Heinrich 28 August 2013 Military intervention in Syria would need U N approval Brahimi reuters com Retrieved 24 November 2013 a b c d e f g h Politically Speaking 22 August 2013 Syria a civil sectarian and proxy war The Elders Archived from the original on 8 September 2013 Retrieved 24 November 2013 a b c d Final communique of the Action Group for Syria Geneva Saturday 30 June 2012 UNO 30 June 2012 Archived from the original on 29 January 2014 Retrieved 24 January 2014 a b c d e UN envoy calls for transitional government in Syria BBC 30 June 2012 Retrieved 26 November 2013 a b 2nd round of Geneva II Conference on Syria achieved no tangible results IANS news biharprabha com Retrieved 15 February 2014 http www dailystar com lb News Middle East 2014 Feb 01 246045 at least 1870 die during geneva talks ashx axzz2rwVSpFO4 At least 1 870 die during Geneva talks a b Concluding remarks by Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan at the Meeting of Action Group on Syria Geneva 30June2012 UN NewsCentre 30 June 2012 Archived from the original on 10 July 2012 Retrieved 25 January 2014 a b Action Group for Syria Final Communique 30 June 2012 What is the Geneva II conference on Syria bbc 22 January 2014 Retrieved 24 January 2014 How about diplomacy The Economist 25 May 2013 Archived from the original on 29 August 2013 Retrieved 1 September 2013 Future of Syria peace talks in question Al Jazeera English 4 November 2013 Retrieved 26 November 2013 List of Geneva II participant countries determined Anadolu Agency 20 December 2013 Retrieved 24 December 2013 Dominique Fiers en Jos De Greef 20 January 2014 Iran gaat toch niet naar Syrie conferentie Deredactie be Retrieved 23 January 2014 Delegazione della Santa Sede alla Conferenza Internazionale per la pace in Siria Ginevra 2 22 January 2014 Russia Says Assad Is Ready for Peace Talks New York Times 22 July 2013 Retrieved 26 November 2013 Hassan Abboud We will fight for our rights Al Jazeera English 21 December 2013 Retrieved 21 December 2013 Islamist rebels reject hollow Syria peace talks Agencies 20 January 2014 Retrieved 21 January 2014 Main bloc quits Syrian National Coalition over Geneva The Times of Israel 21 January 2014 Retrieved 20 January 2014 Syrian rebels try to agree peace talks stance in Turkey Reuters 19 January 2014 Retrieved 21 January 2014 Parasiliti Andrew 24 May 2013 Iran s UN Ambassador Welcomes Geneva II Conference on Syria Al Monitor Archived from the original on 4 September 2013 Retrieved 1 September 2013 U N chief invites Iran to Geneva 2 Syria opposition threatens to withdraw Reuters 20 January 2014 Retrieved 20 January 2014 Press statement of the US Department of State 19 January 2014 http www state gov r pa prs ps 2014 01 220043 htm U N withdraws Iran invitation to Geneva Daily Star 21 January 2014 Retrieved 20 January 2014 U N backs down in standoff over Iran opening way for Syria peace talks washingtonpost 21 January 2014 Retrieved 21 January 2014 Syria opposition to consult allies over US Russia initiative Associated Press 13 May 2013 Archived from the original on 4 September 2013 Retrieved 1 September 2013 US all but rules out Syria conference in July Al Arabiya News 26 June 2013 Retrieved 24 November 2013 a b c Ballout Mohammad Anthony Goode 14 August 2013 Washington Deliberates Whether To Embrace Geneva II original Brahimi Prepares for the Syria Conference And Washington Between The Choice of Geneva II and the Victory of Al Qaeda Al Monitor As Safir Lebanon Archived from the original on 23 October 2013 Retrieved 1 September 2013 No date agreed for Syria peace conference Al Jazeera English 6 November 2013 Retrieved 26 November 2013 Geneva II on Syria may start 12 Dec News Politics Russian Radio Indian ruvr ru Retrieved 28 November 2013 United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki moon s Statements Un org 30 June 2012 Retrieved 28 November 2013 Heritage Timothy Elizabeth Piper 27 August 2013 Russia regrets U S postponement of Hague meeting on Syria Reuters Archived from the original on 30 August 2013 Retrieved 1 September 2013 a b Syria Geneva II peace conference begins with bitter speeches BBC 22 January 2014 Retrieved 22 January 2014 Weaver Matthew 22 January 2014 Syria accuses the west of pouring arms into the hands of terrorists Guardian Retrieved 22 January 2014 Syria peace talks open with bitter rhetoric Los Angeles Times 22 January 2014 Retrieved 22 January 2014 As Syria peace conference begins rifts over Iran point to deep divisions washingtonpost Retrieved 22 January 2014 United Nations spokeswoman Alessandra Velluci speaks at news briefing Friday 24 Jan al Jazeera english http live aljazeera com Event Syria Live Blog 103000598 No progress to speak of as first round of UN sponsored Syrian peace talks ends UN News Centre 31 January 2014 http www un org apps news story asp h 3Cspan 20class 27pullme 27 3EIn 20short 20when 20you 20empower 20a 20woman 20you 20change 20the 20world 3C span 3Ettp www unfpa org html www unicef org story asp NewsID 47052 amp Cr syria amp Cr1 Uu2E5vtjHHl After Second Round of Syria Talks No Agreement Even on How to Negotiate NYTimes By ANNE BARNARD and NICK CUMMING BRUCE 15 FEB 2014 Al Arabiya Exclusive SNC leader says Geneva II may end Syria war Al Arabiya 28 July 2013 Retrieved 1 September 2013 Main bloc quits Syrian National Coalition over Geneva The Times of Israel 21 January 2014 Retrieved 20 January 2014 External links EditOfficial website United Nations Final communique of the Geneva I Conference 2012 Portals Asia War Politics Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Geneva II Conference on Syria amp oldid 1108512830, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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