Exclusive - Syria peace talks face delay as big powers split

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - International powers are unlikely to meet their goal of convening peace talks on Syria in Geneva next month as differences emerge between Washington and Moscow over opposition representation, Arab and Western officials said.

Failure of the main Syrian National Coalition to take a clear stance over the talks, which aim to find a political solution to Syria's 2-1/2 year civil war, are also expected to contribute to a delay of up to one month, the officials told Reuters.

"A clearer picture will emerge when the United States and Russia meet next week, but all indications show that the November 23 goal will be difficult to meet," said one of the officials involved in preparing for the talks.

U.S., Russian and U.N envoys are due to meet in Geneva next Tuesday as part of the preparation for the long-delayed peace conference, which was first proposed back in May.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/10/30/uk-syria-crisis-geneva-exclusive-idUKBRE99T0MU20131030

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. The real question is who represents the Syrian opposition.

Apparently 10,000 different guys.

This is a mess of a rebellion. I hope the Saudis are proud of what they've accomplished. And now polio, too.