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Kerry, Lavrov Reach New Ceasefire Deal on Syria Which Could Lead To U.S.-Russia Joint Operations against ISIS and Al-Nusra
11 September 2016
EIRNS — John Kerry and Sergey Lavrov emerged from marathon 13-hour negotiations in Geneva on Friday night to inform the media that they had reached an agreement that could be "a turning point, a moment of change" for the war-torn region, in Kerry’s words, and which could also be, as Lavrov put it, "just the beginning of our new relations." The two sides agreed on five documents, which will not be made public because they contain "serious, sensitive information" which could be used to torpedo the agreement by those opposed to it. The essential points agreed upon, according to multiple press accounts, are: 1 - A ceasefire will begin at sundown on Monday, Sept. 12, which involves all attacks, including airstrikes by Syrian and Russian warplanes. 2 - Full humanitarian access will then be provided, including to besieged Aleppo. 3 - If the cessation of attacks holds for seven days, the U.S. and Russia will establish a Joint Implementation Center to separate terrorists from more "moderate" opposition forces. This involves the crucial issue of separating out Al Nusra (aka Al Sham) terrorist forces, in order to then attack them. Kerry defended this point by noting that "going on Al-Nusra is not a concession to anybody [but] is profoundly in the interests of the U.S." 4 - After this has been accomplished, "joint aerial strikes by Russian and American forces will be devised against terrorists groups," Lavrov stated. Kerry’s formulation was that "then U.S. and Russian experts will work together to defeat Daesh and Nusra." There was an hours-long delay after Kerry and Lavrov had concluded their part of the negotiations, in order for Kerry to consult by secure videoconference hookup with Obama administration officials in Washington. AP reported that Defense Secretary Ash Carter and National Intelligence Director James Clapper, among others, were "upset" about the deal and argued against it—but were apparently overruled, at least for now. Other regional parties are coming on board. "The Syrian government has been informed of these arrangements and is ready to fulfill them," Lavrov stated, a fact later confirmed by the Syrian government. The role of Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia will also be important to ensure compliance, AP reported. |