Syrian rebel delegation says has not agreed to any communique at Astana talks

Record ID: 165503

  • Title: Syrian rebel delegation says has not agreed to any communique at Astana talks
  • Date: 24th January 2017
  • Summary: ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN (JANUARY 24, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VIEW OF ASTANA TRAFFIC ON STREET OSAMA ABU ZAID, SYRIAN OPPOSITION DELEGATION SPOKESMAN, ARRIVING TO TALK TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OSAMA ABU ZAID, SYRIAN OPPOSITION DELEGATION SPOKESMAN, SAYING: "I think the host country, Russia and Turkey are working to make this conference succeed but for this to happen there needs to be actual procedures. The main obstacle for the success of this conference and these negotiations is the continuation of violations by the Assad regime and the threat of forced displacement in many areas (of Syria)." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OSAMA ABU ZAID, SYRIAN OPPOSITION DELEGATION SPOKESMAN, SAYING: "As I said, we have not received any draft communique in an official capacity. Therefore, we have no comments on drafts or papers being published on social media. We cannot talk about any progress before changes begin to happen on the ground." ABU ZAID TALKING TO REPORTERS
  • Embargoed: 7th February 2017 07:20
  • Keywords: Kazakhstan Syria talks opposition
  • Location: ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN
  • City: ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN
  • Country: Kazakhstan
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00160FVM13
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Syrian Opposition delegation spokesman, Osama Abu Zaid, said on Tuesday (January 24) Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkey are working to make Astana talks successful. But, he added the main obstacle is still the threats made by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime of forcible displacement in many areas.
    "I think the host country, Russia and Turkey are working to make this conference succeed but for this to happen there needs to be actual procedures. The main obstacle for the success of this conference and these negotiations is the continuation of violations by the Assad regime and the threat of forced displacement in many areas (of Syria)," Abu Zaid stated to reporters in Astana.
    He added the opposition did not officially receive any draft communique.
    "As I said, we have not received any draft communique in an official capacity. Therefore, we have no comments on drafts or papers being published on social media. We cannot talk about any progress before changes begin to happen on the ground."
    Abu Zaid also said it is up to the host country and guarantors to decide whether to extend the talks for one more day or not.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register