By Vestnik Kavkaza
The Russian scholar and diplomat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Turkey, a member of the Russian Council on International Affairs Peter Stegnii told VK about the situation around Syria on the way to the "Geneva - 2" conference. The methods of conflict resolution were much discussed at the summit of G8; what will the result be - "cold failure" of the attempts to negotiate or "light at the end of the tunnel"?
- Could you comment on the situation in Syria? How was it discussed at the G8 summit in Belfast?
- I have received a lot of information on the summit, though it is contradictory, it is just polar. Someone said that this is a cold failure to agree on Syria. Some people believe that, on the contrary, there are opportunities and a light at the end of the tunnel. I strongly advocate the second version, although there is no empirical evidence about how the negotiations were taking place. I saw a seven-point communiqué on Syria. In my view, this is a very balanced and very comprehensive document, which allows for work on the political and diplomatic direction. What are the new elements in it? First, the call to exert political pressure on both sides to the early convening of the Geneva-2. There was a lot of talk that it will be held only in September. Early convening of the conference orients us completely differently. There is an objective position on chemical weapons, the document called upon both sides not to use chemical weapons. And an investigation by the UN is recommended, whether it is used, and if used, by whom. And there are a number of other provisions, in particular, the absence in these seven paragraphs of any mention of the fact that the change of regime in Syria is the only possible prerequisite for the start of negotiations. All of this creates a fresh impression and gives us an opportunity to hope that the common denominator of these negotiations was still common sense, and in this critical political situation we should manage to agree on its completion.
