Syria talks in Sochi a non-starter

The opposition’s boycott was expected as Russian initiative for a peace process undermines UN efforts

ollowing another round of United Nations-brokered peace talks last week, Syria’s main opposition negotiating body said it will boycott a peace conference beginning in Sochi on Monday. The High Negotiations Committee announced the boycott of the talks organised by Russia after a vote in Vienna on Friday. “This whole round in Vienna was supposed to be a crucial one, a test for commitment. And we didn’t see this commitment. And the UN didn’t see this commitment,” said Yahya Al Aridi, a spokesman for the opposition delegation at the talks. Al Aridi also said Sochi was aimed at giving the appearance of reconciliation among Syrians and many of the participants had been chosen by the regime.

He is right. Sochi is increasingly being seen as Russia’s attempt to create a separate peace process that would undermine the UN’s efforts, while ensuring that realities on the ground are changed in such a way that the situation totally favours the brutal regime in Damascus, and its regional and international allies. Having regained the upper hand in the war — only with the help of Iran and Russia — Syrian President Bashar Al Assad is unwilling to negotiate with the opposition, let alone step down as part of any peaceful solution sought by opposition groups and the international community.

The opposition’s decision to boycott the Sochi talks is a setback for Russia in its efforts to act like a global superpower. Moscow’s efforts go beyond the immediate Syrian situation. Its actions are aimed at upholding, and enhancing, its prestige on the world stage. For that to happen, its efforts need the stamp of international legitimacy. And that can only come through truly global and internationally respected institutions like the United Nations. Moscow is shooting itself in the foot by trying to steer the talks away from the orbit of the UN.

Meanwhile, a document drawn up by the United States, Jordan, Britain, France and Saudi Arabia made recommendations to the Vienna talks’ host, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, for a more “practical approach”, including “a specific and immediate focus on discussion for a reformed constitution and organisation of free and fair elections”.

This is something that the Syrian opposition would have no objections to, and neither should the other side. But, with characteristic arrogance, the regime’s envoy to the talks, Bashar Al Ja’afari, has dismissed the document as “totally unacceptable”.