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To Geneva and back

It’s apparently back to square one, where Syria is concerned. The euphoria of holding talks between the government and rebels is over and the regime and opposition elements now hold their brief close to their chest, with no progress in undoing the status quo.

Veteran Algerian diplomat and United Nations special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has probably never been so pessimistic in his diplomatic career as he was with the talks hurriedly called off in Geneva. The second round of negotiations that lasted for six days was perhaps no more than an exercise in futility, as the agreed points of deliberation were not touched upon. Both the parties insisted on a prioritised agenda of their own, which led to the breakdown.

The government was not willing to discuss any transitional set-up, whereas the opposition was adamant on negating the brand of terrorism given to them by the regime, calling it instead a fight for the rights of the Syrians.

Brahimi, who had had historic breakthroughs in Lebanon and Afghanistan, must be wondering over the complexity of the issue, and how to get the warring parties back to the table. Now with the Geneva talks having hit snags, the million-dollar question is, what’s next? There is still some consolation to be garnered from the Geneva hype, a couple of threads which could be woven together once again for another serious initiative.

Brahimi says both the warring parties have departed after leaving behind an agreed agenda to resume their dialogue but without a timeline commitment. The agreed talking points are: Violence and terrorism; a transitional governing body; national institutions and national reconciliation. This speaks a lot about the diverse issues at hand and what is needed at this point of time is a simple commitment for more talks without a personalised political agenda.

The international community shouldn’t sit on the sidelines. It should involve itself in cobbling together an understanding on a minimum agenda of ceasefire and providing assistance to the displaced and resettling them. The talks have broken down at a time when renewed fighting has been reported in the areas bordering Lebanon, and the radicals have made advances in areas under Damascus’ control.

This is an indication of civil war on the surge. With 10 million people displaced, hundreds of thousands killed, and the state Balkanised, the opposition and the regime cannot claim to be talking for the people without bringing the war to an end. What is instantly needed is a truce; after that the deliberations may continue.