Syria talks result in ‘concrete calendar’ leading to elections

[Jefferson23]

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov top right, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, top center, and other foreign ministers attend a meeting in Vienna, Austria, Saturday Nov. 14, 2015. (AP)

AFP, Vienna Saturday, 14 November 2015

World diplomats gathered in Vienna had agreed on a fixed calendar for Syria that would see a transition government in six months and elections in 18 months.

The 17 countries, European Union, United States and Arab League meeting in Vienna agreed on Saturday to accelerate efforts to end the conflict in Syria by launching negotiations between the government and opposition by January and holding elections within 18 months, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.

Kerry told a news conference after talks in Vienna that the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council also agreed to pass a resolution in favor of a ceasefire in Syria.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also said “we have agreed that this transition process must be over in 18 months, and will include the creation of a Syrian transition government in six months.”

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2015/11/14/EU-s-Mogherini-hails-very-good-meeting-on-Syria-.html

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Appears the Powers that be

have finally had enough of the killing and the old management axiom of the beatings will continue until moral improves ain't working. So lets trying this voting thing and we can get the same results if we handle the ballots . Purple fingers anybody. Like ever conflict that has never a chance in hell of being settled by military force,and the killing gets out of hand,well guess what,you talk face to face with all the actors and things get done.

[roscoeroscoe]

2. Not bad

Hope this works. Assad can go to the retired dictators farm.

[Jefferson23]

3. That's pretty much how I feel about it too. n/t

[bemildred]

4. Looks like we have finally got their attention focessed on the correct problem. nt