Syrian peace process is taking wings – Indian Punchline - By M K Bhadrakumar– November 15, 2015
▻http://blogs.rediff.com/mkbhadrakumar/2015/11/15/syrian-peace-process-is-taking-wings
The terrorist strikes in Paris on Friday doubtless administered a shock therapy to the International Syria Support Group [ISSG] meeting in Vienna. The communiqué issued after the meeting on Saturday covered more ground than one would have expected. The document candidly admits that “a unanimous sense of urgency” prevailed during the “constructive dialogue” in Vienna with a view to “accelerate an end” to the Syrian conflict.
The UN secretary-general’s special envoy on Syria Steffan de Mistura, who is an accomplished diplomat, actually used the expression “critical mass” to sum up the outcome of Sunday’s discussions. A plan of action has been drawn up by the ISSG with a definite timeline. Most important, the United Nations Security Council is getting ready to monitor the action plan. Principally, the plan envisages that:
– A peace process involving the Syrian government and opposition representatives will formally commence on 1st January 2016;
– Simultaneously, there will be a nation-wide ceasefire in Syria, which will be monitored by a UN-endorsed ceasefire monitoring mission;
– Meanwhile, confidence-building measures will be taken, especially to ensure “expeditious humanitarian access”;
– On a parallel track, Jordan has been tasked with drawing up a list of irreconcilable extremist groups in addition to the Islamic State and Nusra Front;
– The Syrian-led peace process will establish by end-June 2016 a “credible, inclusive, non-sectarian governance” (read transition) and “set a schedule and process” for drafting a new constitution;
– Free and fair elections as per the new constitution will be held under UN supervision “within 18 months” in which “all Syrians, including the diaspora” will be eligible to participate.
Once again, the fate of President Bashar Al-Assad has been sidestepped. Most western analysts tend to see it as a no-go area that diplomats fear to tread. But is it necessarily so? The point is, an overriding principle has now been accepted, namely, it will be entirely up to the Syrian people to accept or reject the new leadership.
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Also, it has been decided to induct the Organization of Islamic Conference into the ISSG. Taken together, this shift opens the way for Islamic parties (such as Muslim Brotherhood) to participate in the future elections under the new constitution. To be sure, this signifies a major concession to Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. (...)
