Kerry Warns Syria: If You Do Not Come To The Negotiating Table, Rebels Will Be Given Help

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

LARA JAKES MAY 14, 2013, 9:27 AM

STOCKHOLM (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a stern warning Tuesday to Syria’s government, saying that new help will be given to opposition forces should President Bashar Assad’s regime decide to back out of upcoming negotiations aimed at ending Syria’s two-year war.

Kerry said he has every expectation that both sides in the conflict, which has left more than 70,000 dead, will participate in an international conference to negotiate a peaceful transition in Syria. The conference, which Kerry said likely will be held in early June, is noteworthy because it will be endorsed by both the U.S. and Russia, which are on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict.

Speaking in Stockholm, the Swedish capital, the top American diplomat rejected suggestions that officials from Assad’s regime will refuse to attend the conference. Earlier Tuesday, Syria’s information minister said the regime wants more details about the proposed initiative before it decides whether to attend.

“If he decides not to come to the table it will be another one of President Assad’s gross miscalculations. Now, I don’t believe that that is the case at this moment,” Kerry told reporters in Stockholm.

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/kerry-warns-syria-if-you-do-not-come-to-the-negotiating-table-rebels-will-be-given-help.php?ref=fpb

[Marrah_G]

2. Sigh

Our involvement in these countries does no good to anyone....except for religious extremists.

[AngryAmish]

3. Maybe a fork and knife?

[David__77]

4. That's gruesome...

But what can one say.

[David__77]

5. I don't think the armed opposition will agree anyway.

The opposition will continue to refuse unconditional talks. Syria would be foolish to decline that opportunity. It would be politically immobilizing for the opposition.

[pampango]

6. I suspect if Russia wants Syria to be there it will.

If Putin really does not want the civil war to stop, he just tells Assad not to show up.

The same holds true for the opponents. If the US/Europe want them there, they will be.

[Alamuti Lotus]

7. The same negotiating table the "rebels" unconditionally boycott?

What help are they going to get, Mr Kerry? More cars to transform into bombs to leave on city blocks? Some sharper knives to use in their beheadings? HD cameras to make better videos for YouTube?

[Hugabear]

8. Maybe some fava beans and a nice chianti

Sorry...