The Latest: Diplomats agree to Syria cease-fire in a week

[bemildred]

Source: AP

2 a.m.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says diplomats meeting in Munich have agreed to work with Syrian parties to implement a "nationwide cessation of hostilities."

Kerry said early Friday that the target is to implement the cease-fire in a week's time. He said that would not apply to the Islamic State group and the extremist al-Nusra Front.

Kerry said diplomats from the U.S., Russia and other powers also agreed to "accelerate and expand" the delivery of humanitarian aid immediately, bringing aid to besieged areas.

A working group is to start meeting in Geneva Immediately to oversee that.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SYRIA_THE_LATEST?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-02-11-19-12-24

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Live updates as details emerge:

Humanitarian aid is to be delivered to besieged areas across Syria in the next few days and a ceasefire is to come into force “within a week”, the US, Russia and other big powers announced late on Thursday at talks in Munich – galvanised by mounting international concern over the escalating war.

But there was no clear commitment to end Russian airstrikes.

John Kerry, the US secretary of state, said progress had been made towards implementing a nationwide “cessation of hostilities”, though it was not clear how this could happen unless Russia stops bombing mainstream rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad – as well as ordinary civilians.
...
Western diplomats confirmed that there had been no agreement by Moscow to immediately end airstrikes, a key demand of anti-Assad Syrian rebels who are likely to be highly sceptical about the results of the talks.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/feb/12/syria-ceasefire-agreed-munich-peace-talks-live

[bemildred]

3. 2:28 a.m. Can't say they are not making an effort. nt

[pampango]

2. NYT: U.S. and Russia Announce Plan for Humanitarian Aid and a Cease-Fire in Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov, announced that they had agreed on the delivery over the next few days of desperately needed aid to besieged Syrian cities, to be followed by a cease-fire that is supposed to clear the way for renewed peace talks.

“We have agreed to implement a nationwide cessation of hostilities in one week’s time,” Mr. Kerry said. “That is ambitious. The real test is whether all the parties honor those commitments,” he said, sitting next to Mr. Lavrov.

If executed, the agreement, forged by the International Syria Support Group, would mark the first sustained and formally declared halt to fighting in Syria since the civil war began in 2011, early in the Arab uprisings. But the cease-fire would be partial — it excludes the Islamic State and the Nusra group, both designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations — and highly fragile.

There are many reasons to question whether either the relief effort or a meaningful cease-fire will come to pass, or achieve the goal of ending a five-year-long conflict. But the announcement early Friday in Munich marked the first time there was hope of a break in the violence since the civil war broke out in 2011. And it would mark the first large-scale aid to the country, from where millions have fled.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/12/world/middleeast/us-and-russia-announce-plan-for-humanitarian-aid-and-a-cease-fire-in-syria.html?action=Click&contentCollection=BreakingNews&contentID=58961064&pgtype=Homepage

[Cayenne]

4. Just what Putin wanted

a peace deal not predicated on Assad's removal. Kerry is, no doubt, going to come back to "Assad must go" but he'll have weakened his own hand with a peace deal that protects Assad as much as the rebels.

[karynnj]

5. Having actually followed Kerry's positions, he is working

Last edited Fri Feb 12, 2016, 08:35 AM - Edit history (1)

To end the bloodshed and to then allow the Syrians to develop an inclusive government. The US has always called for this PLUS the removal of Assad. That was always a contradiction.

What Kerry has said for months is that it is unlikely the majority of Syrians, including those outside of Syria as the UN resolution requires, will agree to be led by Assad. I would guess the best would be a coalition of some Sunni with some regime leaders somewhat distanced from Assad. However it has to be their choice.

The neocons and neolibs are not happy and they will complain, ignoring that the forces the US could choose to help were both possibly aligned with ISIS and were not likely to be able to force a change in government. Not to mention Russia had a base there and was aligned with Assad. No way would they not have jumped in to deter this.

At this point, stopping the fighting is the most important thing. After that, if the Syrians find a way to get an inclusive government and the world helps them rebuild, it will be a major improvement. As to whether Assad is removed now or ever is far less important as long as he is held in check and Sunni Syrians, the majority in the country, are given rights and are not prosecuted.

I do not see how anyone who has seen the videos and photos could not hope and pray that this long shot diplomatic effort succeeds and allows more long term solutions to bloom. Yet I know that the Republicans and many neoliberal Democrats will trash Obama and Kerry even if this does stop the bleeding.

[bemildred]

6. +1.

Well said.

Mr. Kerry is indeed in a "weak position", but it is precisely those liberal interventionists who brought that about, and they will make it yet worse if they get their way. Putin should send them chocolates. They are so wrapped up in their own egos and personal animosities that they have long since lost track of reality, and they are wandering further off into the bushes (no pun intended) babbling to themselves, let's not follow them again.

[karynnj]

7. thanks, I think Obama and Kerry deserve huge credit

For doing the right thing here, even though it will be enormously unpopular. In some remarks, Kerry spoken that the proxy wars need to end. I think he was referring to both Russia /US and SA/Iran. It would be great if either or both made this one of their issues. Both have the gravitas and ability to make a good case. Obviously a Former President Obama would have a far greater platform.

[bemildred]

8. My pleasure.

Always glad to see your posts.


Edit: Obsessing about personalities and wallowing in your interpersonal animosities is not how you do international relations, that just makes you stupid.

If you want to do that, go into sports.

Edit2: and I do look forward to Obama as a private citizen again, that will be very interesting.

[bemildred]

9. A Planned 'Cessation of Hostilities' in Syria

The UN hopes to start delivering aid to Syria’s beleaguered population as soon as Saturday, a spokesman said Friday after U.S. and Russian officials announced a “cessation of hostilities” among the various factions—excluding ISIS and the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front—involved in the nearly five-year-long civil war.

“The UN system has been geared to deliver this aid all along, especially to besieged areas, and that’s precisely what’s going to be discussed today: how to start, and when to start,” Ahmad Fawzi, a UN spokesman, said in Geneva. “We hope to start as early as tomorrow, immediately after the meeting, decisions will be taken to roll the aid in, especially to besieged areas that need it.”

Early Friday, John Kerry, the U.S. secretary of state, and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, announced in Munich that they had agreed upon the delivery of aid to besieged Syrian cities, followed by a “cessation of hostilities” starting next week. The term is more temporary than a cease-fire, Kerry said, and would constitute “a pause” in the fighting.

The date agreed to in Munich is a compromise between the two powers who are on opposite sides of the Syrian civil war: The U.S., which is calling for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, had wanted an immediate cease-fire; Russia, which is backing Assad through military means, had offered a March 1 date.

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/02/syria-cessation-of-hostilities/462561/

[bemildred]

10. Chinese FM calls for implementation of hard-won agreement at Munich Syria talks

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"China advocates a strict implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 on Syria which was adopted last year, especially the commitment to find a political solution to the Syria issue," Wang told reporters.

China believes that all parties in Syria should act in the interests of Syrian people and try to overcome difficulties to restart peace talks as soon as possible, so that Syrian people can decide on their own future.

As for regional powers, Wang noted that they, in particular those who have a major impact on the situation in Syria, should stop blaming each other and play a constructive role in implementing the agreement reached on Friday concerning ceasefire and humanitarian aid.

The minister also called on countries outside the region including ISSG members, especially the United States and Russia, to assume responsibility and play their due role in implementing the newly-reached agreement as well as the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-02/12/c_135092481.htm

[bemildred]

11. Staffan de Mistura, UN special envoy on Syria says negotiations in Geneva were tough, but worthwhile

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DW: In your opinion is this deal a breakthrough?

Staffan de Mistura: Well, it is certainly a breakthrough in the sense that this time it is not a declaration, it's not a statement, it is a commitment. And a commitment by those who can deliver such a commitment. Now, of course, if you want to call that a breakthrough – fine. I would wait a moment and I would wait for this commitment to be to be tested.

As John Kerry said and even Sergeij Lavrov said there are two deliverables here. Both of them are crucial for the Syrian people: One – can we get access to or humanitarian aid – yes or no.

Secondly, can we get into the besieged areas – yes or no. And three, if this is happening that means that there should be a reduction or a stop of the hostilities. Because this is not caused by bad weather it is caused by a war. And the bombs need to stop, otherwise the convoys cannot reach their destination. These are the two tests and we have one week for them. That is actually what is a breakthrough: Giving a timetable.

DW: You called this a commitment - What about Russia's role. They are continuing their bombing campaign. Is Russia helping here, or standing in the way?

Mistura: Well, if you judge what we heard yesterday, Moscow is helping in the sense that they are part of the commitment. Now, of course, Moscow has a lot of influence on the government of Syria.

And secondly, Moscow is militarily engaged in Syria. So when we talk about cessation of hostilities that will also apply to Moscow. But not only. There is also the other side. That is why next week will be crucial because Russia and America will be chairing a special taskforce and preparing for the actual implementation of it. Moscow has influence on some players, Washington has influence on others. That will be the test.

http://www.dw.com/en/staffan-de-mistura-un-special-envoy-on-syria-says-negotiations-in-geneva-were-tough-but-worthwhile/a-19045022