Joint US-Russia statement calls for UN-supervised elections in Syria

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico




‘Despite our many difference with Russia, we can work together and do that in the service of our national security.’

By NANCY COOK 11/12/17, 6:45 AM CET

WASHINGTON — As part of a new joint statement on Syria between the U.S. and Russia, the two countries have agreed that Syria must eventually hold UN-supervised elections to bring new leadership to the country as part of the process of ending its multi-year civil war, according to two senior State Department officials.

That agreement puts into writing the fact that those elections would follow the rules outlined in the U.S. Security Council resolution known as 2254. That resolution says voting will include the ballots of the Syrian diaspora, displaced from the country by years of war, the officials added.

The State Department officials stressed that the joint statement shores up the areas of agreement between the U.S. and Russia as to Syria’s political future, while acknowledging that work still remained — particularly on the de-escalation zones inside Syria.

“Despite our many difference with Russia, we can work together and do that in the service of our national security,” one of the officials.

Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/joint-us-russia-statement-calls-for-un-supervised-elections-in-syria/

[Iliyah]

1. Joke

[NCjack]

2. Putin will count the votes and Trump will certify. They have striped USA of all dignity. nt

[SergeStorms]

3. 'State Department Officials"?

We have "State Department Officials"? Would that be the bartender-turned-diplomat, or one of the other two State Department Officials Trump has bothered to name?

"As part of a new joint statement on Syria between the U.S. and Russia, the two countries have agreed that Syria must eventually hold UN-supervised elections to bring new leadership to the country as part of the process of ending its multi-year civil war, according to two senior State Department officials." TWO State Department Officials??? Trump's entire State Department went along on this trip?

Yes, "Syria must eventually hold UN-supervised elections". That's some very strong wording by TrumPutin. And it narrows the time frame right down to infinity, so Syria has that going for it!

Talk about a "nothingburger". TrumPutin (because these two are now definitely joined at the hip) has REALLY come up with the first concrete step to ensure lasting peace in Syria! All hail TrumPutin!

[karynnj]

4. The key now is whether Russia/Syria etc will include votes of the diaspora

When that UN resolution was passed that provision was highlighted by the US and our allies as very important. Getting it included in a UN resolution required Kerry to get Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia to all back that provision. Looking at the first two links included is worthwhile - as is remembering that few gave Secretary Kerry any hope that he could get a resolution and it required pulling in Iran - shortly after the Iran deal was finished.

The link on the Trump/Putin statement does not include a reference to UN monitored elections, with or without the diaspora. In fact, the comment of Tillerson, who is said to have led the discussions was:

"This is our first indication of the US and Russia being able to work together in Syria," Tillerson said at the time.

In fact, the US and Russia wrote the resolution being referred to. Unless Tillerson really meant it was the first time the TRUMP administration could work together, it is not promising that he seems oblivious to the fact that Kerry worked long and hard with Lavrov. The history given of the US, Russia and Syria is incredibly far from the mess it really was.

[tblue37]

5. We need those *here*! nt