Syrian rebel groups and opposition reject Russia-planned peace negotiations in Sochi. The Russian government only wanted to deal with UN-communicated talks in Geneva, it said in a statement signed by umbrella organisations of political opposition and 40 rebel groups.
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The rebels criticize Russia’s desire that opposition should no longer demand resignation of President Bashar al-Assad. At same time, Russia, as main ally of Assad, does not put pressure on it to prepare way for a genuine solution to conflict.
“The Russians are trying (…) To impose ir conditions on Syrian population, “said opposition spokesman Ahmed Ramadan. The most dangerous thing is that Russian government wants to enforce its already elaborated constitution for country. The signatories want to stick to UN negotiations in Geneva. Among signatories were radical group Ahrar al-Sham and several political groups of Free Syrian Army.
Russia, Turkey and Iran want to hold so-called Congress of people of Syria from 29 to 30 January in Russian city of Sochi. Representatives of Syrian groups are to negotiate a post-war order. The Congress goes back to initiative of Russia. The UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said he would examine wher talks in Sochi could bring UN forward.
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Russia and Iran are allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Turkey supports rebels. However, Turkish government does not want Syrian-Kurdish party PYD to be invited to control a quarter of Syrian territory. Turkey sees it as an ally of banned Turkish Workers ‘ Party PKK. The PYD, however, called for it to be part of talks.
Russia, toger with Iran and Turkey, had already held talks in Kazakh capital, Astana, and also attempted to initiate negotiations between Syrian government and moderate opposition through Egypt. In addition to Geneva talks, negotiations in Sochi are thus fourth format.
Russia has been supporting Syrian government militarily in war since September 2015. Most recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced that he would withdraw some troops. However, Russian military should remain permanently in Syria. On Tuesday, after State Duma, Federation, House of Parliament, voted for an extension of lease contract for Russian naval base in Syrian port of Tartu for a furr 49 years.
