Dismayed by Geneva II participation, Ban Ki-moon considers options

Dismayed by recent developments regarding the reaction of some participants in the Geneva II Conference on Syria this week, and disappointed that Iran did not publicly state its acceptance of the Geneva I Communique, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday is "urgently considering his options," his spokesman Martin Nesirky told the daily press briefing. He said Ban is "dismayed" by the developments regarding participation in the Geneva II Conference on Syria, scheduled to begin Wednesday in Montreux, Switzerland."Some key participants have conditioned their acceptance to the inclusion or exclusion of other delegations. Iran despite assurances provided orally to the Secretary-General has made a disappointing public statement that suggests it does not accept that the basis for the Geneva II Conference, is the full implementation of 2012 Geneva communique," Nesirky said.The Communique calls for the establishment by mutual consent of a transitional governing body with full executive powers."The Secretary-General is currently urgently considering his options in light of a disappointing reaction of some participants," Nesirky said. "The Secretary-General underscores that now is the time for push for peace in Syria. On that basis, this is not the time to add conditions but to build momentum behind such a political solution for Syria," he stressed.In answer to questions, Nesisrky said "I think we have seen disappointing public statements not just from the Iranian authorities," adding that Ban's decision to invite Iran was "not hasty. Certainly, I know for a fact that this could not have been a surprise for the US authorities. It was not hasty and they (US) were fully aware of the timing of the announcement." "We have been in close contact with the Russians, US today, over the weekend, and indeed for days and weeks before on precisely this topic and not just with them, of course with a variety of other leaders, and further calls and meetings have continued today," Nesirky added.The US asked Ban to withdraw Iran's invitation if it does not explicitly accept Geneva I Communique, and the Syrian opposition said it would not attend if that invitation is not withdrawn. In light of the complex situation, diplomats speculate that Ban may call off the Geneva II Conference all together.