Absence of good will in Syrian ‘opposition’ obstructs conference – Putin

YEKATERINBURG– The absence of good will in Syria’s armed opposition and of a common platform in the camp opposed to the Syrian government are obstructing efforts to prepare a conference on Syrian settlement in Geneva, said President Vladimir Putin, according to Voice of Russia,R IA Novosti.

“What stands in the way? Obviously, the absence of good will on the part of the armed opposition, the absence of a common platform in the opposition camp, and impossibility to select participants in the conference from the armed opposition,” said Putin during a joint press conference at the Russia-European Union Summit with European Union President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso .

“We hope all of these problems will be resolved as soon as possible,” Putin said. Moscow and Brussels agree that a second Geneva conference should be held.

“This is what unites us with our European colleagues,” Putin said. He also said that the Russian and American foreign ministers Sergei Lavrov and John Kerry have prepared proposals regarding the convocation of a second Geneva conference.

“Russia voluntarily assumed the obligation to persuade the Syrian leadership to take part in this conference. The Syrian leadership, as you know, has officially announced its agreement to participate,” Putin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also defended his country’s sale of S-300 air defense systems to war-torn Syria on Tuesday, but said the contracts for the missiles have not yet been fulfilled.

 “We do not want to disturb the balance in the region,” said Putin ,adding “The contract was signed several years ago. It has not yet been realized.”

Putin praised the capabilities of the Russian-made S-300s, which can engage 12 targets simultaneously at distances of 200 kilometers and heights of up to 27 kilometers.

 “The S-300 systems are, really, one of the best air defense systems in the world – probably the best,” he said.

The shipment of S-300s to Syria is a continuing source of friction between Washington and Moscow. US Secretary of State John Kerry said last month that the presence of the weapons in Syria would be “destabilizing” for the region.

Putin also stressed that the deliveries of S-300s to Syria are legal.

 “Russian deliveries of weapons to Syria are implemented on the basis of recognized and transparent international contracts,” said Putin. “They do not violate any international position. And they are implemented exclusively, and in their entirety, within the framework of international law.”

M.D