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| Kerry, Meeting With Russian Counterpart, Seeks Syria Talks Soon | Kerry, Meeting With Russian Counterpart, Seeks Syria Talks Soon |
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| BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei — Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday that the United States and Russia were still working toward holding an international peace conference on Syria and agreed that it should take place “sooner rather than later.” | |
| But Mr. Kerry indicated that there were still some differences over the conference and suggested that it might not be held before September because of the press of other diplomatic meetings and the practice of European and other leaders to take vacation in August. | But Mr. Kerry indicated that there were still some differences over the conference and suggested that it might not be held before September because of the press of other diplomatic meetings and the practice of European and other leaders to take vacation in August. |
| Mr. Kerry discussed Syria after a meeting here with Sergey V. Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister. Mr. Kerry’s remarks came in a statement that he read at the American Embassy here and he did not take any questions. | Mr. Kerry discussed Syria after a meeting here with Sergey V. Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister. Mr. Kerry’s remarks came in a statement that he read at the American Embassy here and he did not take any questions. |
| “We agreed that we are both serious, more than serious, committed to the Geneva process,” Mr. Kerry said. | “We agreed that we are both serious, more than serious, committed to the Geneva process,” Mr. Kerry said. |
| Mr. Kerry first sought the Kremlin’s backing for the meeting during a May trip to Moscow. At that time, Mr. Kerry indicated that the conference, which would bring together the Syrian opposition with representatives of the government of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, might take place by the end of May. | |
| But the push for the peace conference was almost immediately overtaken by events as the Assad government, drawing on arms supplied by Iran and fighters from the Lebanese organization Hezbollah, made gains on the battlefield. | But the push for the peace conference was almost immediately overtaken by events as the Assad government, drawing on arms supplied by Iran and fighters from the Lebanese organization Hezbollah, made gains on the battlefield. |
| A weakened Syrian opposition faced the prospect of attending a conference to negotiate with representatives of an emboldened Assad government. Gen. Salim Idris, the senior rebel commander, said in early June that the opposition would not attend unless the rebel position was strengthened by the provision of additional arms. | A weakened Syrian opposition faced the prospect of attending a conference to negotiate with representatives of an emboldened Assad government. Gen. Salim Idris, the senior rebel commander, said in early June that the opposition would not attend unless the rebel position was strengthened by the provision of additional arms. |
| Since then, President Obama had decided to covertly supply light arms, ammunition and potentially anti-tank weapons to the Syrian opposition, an administration official said earlier this month. | Since then, President Obama had decided to covertly supply light arms, ammunition and potentially anti-tank weapons to the Syrian opposition, an administration official said earlier this month. |
| Still, a major question remains whether the conference can achieve its main purpose of fostering a political transition to a post-Assad government if Mr. Assad believes he can prevail militarily and continues to receive weapons from Iran and Russia. | |
| In recent months, Mr. Kerry has repeatedly stressed the importance of taking steps to change the “calculation” of Mr. Assad that he can hold on to power so that a political settlement might be worked out. But on Tuesday, Mr. Kerry argued instead that developments on the battlefield were not so important. | In recent months, Mr. Kerry has repeatedly stressed the importance of taking steps to change the “calculation” of Mr. Assad that he can hold on to power so that a political settlement might be worked out. But on Tuesday, Mr. Kerry argued instead that developments on the battlefield were not so important. |
| “Whether the regime is doing better or the opposition is doing better is frankly not determinative of that outcome because the outcome requires a transition government," he said, referring to efforts to negotiate a political settlement. | “Whether the regime is doing better or the opposition is doing better is frankly not determinative of that outcome because the outcome requires a transition government," he said, referring to efforts to negotiate a political settlement. |
| Mr. Kerry also said that he had raised with Mr. Lavrov the United States' concern that Edward J. Snowden, the former security contractor who has fled to Moscow, be returned to the United States. But Mr. Kerry said that the issue was not part of Mr. Lavrov's "portfolio." The two diplomats met on the margins of a conference that was hosted by Southeast Asian nations. | |
| After Mr. Kerry’s May visit to Moscow, American and Russian officials had differences over how to organize the international conference on Syria. The Russians argued that Iran, a strong supporter of the Assad government, be included at the international conference. | After Mr. Kerry’s May visit to Moscow, American and Russian officials had differences over how to organize the international conference on Syria. The Russians argued that Iran, a strong supporter of the Assad government, be included at the international conference. |
| The United States was opposed to including Iran, proposing instead that it include the “London 11,” the coalition of Western and Arab nations that has been supporting the Syrian opposition. | |
| The Russians proposed that multiple delegations from the Syrian opposition attend. Fearing that would dilute the opposition’s influence, the United States has insisted that a unified Syrian opposition delegation attend. | The Russians proposed that multiple delegations from the Syrian opposition attend. Fearing that would dilute the opposition’s influence, the United States has insisted that a unified Syrian opposition delegation attend. |
| In his comments on Tuesday, Mr. Kerry said that the two sides had “narrowed down some of the options with respect to the potential of that conference.” But he provided no details on what matters were now agreed upon and what differences remain. | In his comments on Tuesday, Mr. Kerry said that the two sides had “narrowed down some of the options with respect to the potential of that conference.” But he provided no details on what matters were now agreed upon and what differences remain. |
| Mr. Kerry did not say when a Syria peace conference might take place. He said that July was a problem because an important meeting between American and Russian officials was scheduled then. | Mr. Kerry did not say when a Syria peace conference might take place. He said that July was a problem because an important meeting between American and Russian officials was scheduled then. |
| “Obviously August is very difficult for Europeans and others so it maybe somewhat thereafter,” he said. | “Obviously August is very difficult for Europeans and others so it maybe somewhat thereafter,” he said. |