Kerry Says Vienna Talks Are Best Chance for Syria Solution By Felicia Schwartz
http://www.wsj.com/articles/kerry-says-vienna-talks-are-best-chance-for-syria-solution-1446067165?tesla=y
Secretary of state acknowledged difficulties posed by Russia military buildup, Islamic State tactics
The talks, to be held Friday, are expected to include Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar, the European Union and France, State Department spokesman John Kirby said, adding that other nations are expected to announce they will attend as well.
Iran will participate in the political talks for the first time, after the U.S. and its Arab allies blocked Tehran from taking part in previous rounds citing Tehran’s support for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
Mr. Kerry, in a speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Wednesday, outlined U.S. policies across the Middle East, acknowledging the difficulties posed by Russia’s military buildup and bombing campaign and by brutal Islamic State tactics.
“While finding a way forward on Syria will not be easy—it’s not going to be automatic—it’s the most promising opportunity for a political opening,” he said, while saying any solution would have to chart “a course out of Hell.”
Mr. Kerry said the U.S., Russia and other world powers have areas of agreement about the Syria crisis. All agree that “the status quo is untenable” and are seeking a way to prevent Islamic State extremists from overrunning the country.
“Surely we can find a place where one man does not stand in the way of the possibilities of peace,” Mr. Kerry said, referring to Mr. Assad’s status.
Mr. Kerry reiterated the Obama administration view that Russia should stop boosting Mr. Assad and commit to taking on Islamic State.
Iran’s involvement in the talks follows an agreement earlier this year to roll back its nuclear program in exchange for an easing of international economic sanctions.
At the White House, Press Secretary Eric Schultz on Wednesday said President Barack Obama has expressed a willingness to work with Iran on finding a resolution in Syria.
“Our bottom line is we believe it’s important for all key stakeholders to be present,” Mr. Schultz said, while adding Iran has exerted a negative influence in Syria and elsewhere.
Earlier Wednesday, in a hearing on Capitol Hill, lawmakers criticized the Obama administration’s approach to Russia’s stepped up involvement in Syria.
“After 45 years of Democratic and Republican administrations seeking to close the door on Russia’s sphere of influence in the Middle East, it seems to me like we’re swinging it wide open,” said Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.). “I think we are opening the door to an influence that is not going to serve us well.”
U.S. officials have said ahead of Mr. Kerry’s talks that Russia’s stepped up military involvement in Syria could add more urgency to political discussions.
“It may also present an opportunity, and that’s what the secretary’s trying to leverage,” said Gen. John Allen, the Obama administration’s envoy in the fight against Islamic State. “I think they’ll soon find out that the entire Sunni world is against them…And, of course, the Russians have their own problems with domestic extremism and on their border. So they may find out that this is not such a good deal as they had anticipated.”
Mr. Kerry in his speech emphasized his view that the Middle East does bit not need to be partitioned along sectarian lines.
“Please do not accept the view of some that the Middle East must inevitably be divided along sectarian lines, especially between Sunni and Shiite Muslims,” Mr. Kerry said. He pointed to examples of Sunni-Shiite cooperation, saying Sunnis and Shiites have rushed to one another’s aid often in recent months.
Islamic State “will rise or fall on its ability to drive good people apart and that is precisely why I say it will fail,” Mr. Kerry said.
–Carol E. Lee contributed to this article.
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