Ban: It would be unforgivable for Syrian parties to miss Geneva II conference

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said it would be "unforgivable" for the Syrian parties - government and opposition - to miss this first opportunity to end their almost three-year conflict, expressing hope they will demonstrate support for "constructive" talks and show "vision and leadership." Speaking to reporters after his press office announced that the International Conference on Syria, Geneva II, will be held on January 22, Ban said "it would be unforgivable not to seize this opportunity to bring an end to the suffering and destruction it (conflict in Syria) has caused. This is a mission of hope. "I expect all partners and parties to demonstrate their support for constructive negotiations. All must show vision and leadership," he added. Even though the conference will take place in about eight weeks, he noted, all parties can and must begin now to take steps to help the Geneva Conference succeed, including toward the cessation of violence, humanitarian access, release of detainees and return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced people to their homes. Describing the war in Syria as the "world's biggest threat to international peace and security," Ban said "the only way to truly end the violence and suffering is through an inclusive Syrian-led political process." He said "we go with a clear understanding: The Geneva Conference is the vehicle for a peaceful transition that fulfills the legitimate aspirations of all the Syrian people for freedom and dignity, and which guarantees safety and protection to all communities in Syria. "And we have a clear goal: the full implementation of the Geneva Communique of 30 June 2012, including the establishment, based on mutual consent, of a transitional governing body with full executive powers, including over military and security entities." He expressed regret that the fighting has raged on "far too long. The war continues to send tremors through the region and has forced unacceptable burdens on Syrias neighbours." Ban did not take any questions, saying Joint Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is scheduled to hold a press conference in Geneva shortly. The big question remains whether Iran will be invited to attend Geneva II Conference, even though the Syrian opposition said it should not because it has been helping the regime. The announcement of the date to convene Geneva II comes one day after the West and Iran reached a deal on the latters nuclear programme. British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant also told reporters on his way into the Security Council that "we are pleased that a date has finally been set. Obviously it will start later than we originally had hoped. Nevertheless, now that a date has been set, we hope that both parties will come with the intention of discussing the implementation of the Geneva I Communique" on June 2012