Annan Confirms Geneva's Syria Meeting, U.S. and France Want Talks Focused on 'Transition'
International peace envoy Kofi Annan said on Wednesday that an action group on Syria would meet this weekend in a new bid to shore up his faltering peace plan, as both the U.S. and France said talks must focus on the need for political transition in the conflict-torn country.
The former U.N. secretary-general said a ministerial level meeting of the action group would take place in Geneva on Saturday, featuring all five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and other key regional players.
"I look forward to a productive meeting this weekend, where we can all agree on concrete actions to end the cycle of violence and bring peace and stability to the Syrian people," Annan said in a statement.
But while U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- who is among those due to attend -- gave Annan her full backing, the news that Iran was not among those invited was likely to infuriate Syria's chief ally, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Iran should be invited to any international meeting in Geneva, saying it "would complicate the process" if Tehran were to be shut out.
A six-point peace plan drawn up by Annan came into force in mid-April. But its key provisions, which include a total cessation of violence, have been repeatedly breached since then.
In his statement, Annan said that the action group aimed to "identify steps and measures to secure full implementation of the six-point plan".
But he also said Saturday's meeting would seek agreement "on guidelines and principles for a Syrian-led political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people" as well as "agree on actions that will make these objectives a reality on the ground".
Syria's neighbor Turkey, which has been at the center of a bitter exchanges with Damascus since one of its warplanes was shot down last week, has been invited, along with foreign ministers from Qatar, Iraq and Kuwait.
Clinton, who is currently on a tour of Europe, will head up the U.S. delegation in the talks.
"I've been in close consultation with special envoy Kofi Annan about the prospects for a meeting that would focus on a roadmap for political transition in Syria," Clinton said during a visit to Helsinki.
He "has developed his own very concrete roadmap for political transition, he has been circulating it for comments and when I spoke to him yesterday I conveyed our support for the plan that he has put forward."
"We think it embodies the principles needed for any political transition in Syria that could lead to a peaceful, democratic and representative outcome reflecting the will of the Syrian people.
China, which has also helped Syria escape censure at the Security Council, said on Wednesday it had a "positive attitude" towards the meeting.
"Regarding the conference planned for June 30, China is holding an open and positive attitude," said ambassador Xia Jingge at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
"We hope this conference will lead to international consensus."
For its part, France said Wednesday that talks must focus on the need for a democratic transition in the conflict-torn country.
France has not confirmed it will attend and foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero on Wednesday also highlighted the need for participants to take a clear position on a handover of power.
"A meeting of the Action Group... must reach a common position on a credible political solution to the Syrian tragedy," Valero told a press briefing.
"Concretely, the Action Group must agree on the principles and steps for a democratic transition in Syria, as well as the priority attached to an end to repression and free access for humanitarian aid to civilians," he said.
"If the meeting in Geneva on Saturday is confirmed, this is the message France would carry."
Source: Agence France Presse
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