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| Syrian Official Says Peace Talks Could Be Held in Late November | Syrian Official Says Peace Talks Could Be Held in Late November |
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| LONDON — A Syrian government official said on Thursday that long-postponed peace talks under international auspices — known in diplomatic shorthand as Geneva II — could be held in late November, raising speculation about who would attend and who would represent the fractured Syrian opposition, which is seeking to topple President Bashar al-Assad. | LONDON — A Syrian government official said on Thursday that long-postponed peace talks under international auspices — known in diplomatic shorthand as Geneva II — could be held in late November, raising speculation about who would attend and who would represent the fractured Syrian opposition, which is seeking to topple President Bashar al-Assad. |
| The official, Qadri Jamil, a deputy prime minister, said in Moscow that the discussions could be held in Geneva on Nov. 23, according to SANA, the official Syrian news agency. Some reports from Moscow quoted him as saying the talks could extend into Nov. 24. His remarks were the first to publicly mention a specific date. | The official, Qadri Jamil, a deputy prime minister, said in Moscow that the discussions could be held in Geneva on Nov. 23, according to SANA, the official Syrian news agency. Some reports from Moscow quoted him as saying the talks could extend into Nov. 24. His remarks were the first to publicly mention a specific date. |
| Diplomacy surrounding Syria has gathered pace since September, when Russia and the United States brokered a deal for the Syrian government to give up its chemical weapons. But as the fighting continues, the question of which countries and which Syrian factions would take part in new talks remained unanswered. | Diplomacy surrounding Syria has gathered pace since September, when Russia and the United States brokered a deal for the Syrian government to give up its chemical weapons. But as the fighting continues, the question of which countries and which Syrian factions would take part in new talks remained unanswered. |
| At the United Nations, Martin Nesirky, a spokesman for Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said that he could not confirm the dates mentioned by Mr. Jamil, and hinted that talk of a date was premature. “When it is time for an announcement, the secretary general will make one,” Mr. Nesirky said. | At the United Nations, Martin Nesirky, a spokesman for Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said that he could not confirm the dates mentioned by Mr. Jamil, and hinted that talk of a date was premature. “When it is time for an announcement, the secretary general will make one,” Mr. Nesirky said. |
| Russia, an important backer of the Syrian government, also indicated that there was no deal on the talks. Reuters quoted Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, as telling reporters, “We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves.” | Russia, an important backer of the Syrian government, also indicated that there was no deal on the talks. Reuters quoted Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, as telling reporters, “We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves.” |
| SANA said Mr. Jamil spoke on Thursday after talks with Russia’s Middle East envoy, Mikhail Bogdanov, that the agency said were fruitful. | SANA said Mr. Jamil spoke on Thursday after talks with Russia’s Middle East envoy, Mikhail Bogdanov, that the agency said were fruitful. |
| Mr. Jamil is one of two Syrian government ministers from officially tolerated opposition parties who have been appointed since the civil unrest in the country mushroomed into a full-blown civil war. While he is often seen as having little or no authority over government policy, the fact that his remarks on Thursday were carried by the state news agency suggested they had some kind of imprimatur. | Mr. Jamil is one of two Syrian government ministers from officially tolerated opposition parties who have been appointed since the civil unrest in the country mushroomed into a full-blown civil war. While he is often seen as having little or no authority over government policy, the fact that his remarks on Thursday were carried by the state news agency suggested they had some kind of imprimatur. |
| In the first round of discussions in Geneva in June 2012, major world powers failed to reach a consensus on the central question of whether to call for the ouster of Mr. Assad, a demand advanced by opposition groups in return for their participation in any peace negotiations. The nine nations at the meeting agreed instead on a plan for a political transition in Syria, with Russia and China blocking attempts by other participants to require Mr. Assad’s removal from power. | In the first round of discussions in Geneva in June 2012, major world powers failed to reach a consensus on the central question of whether to call for the ouster of Mr. Assad, a demand advanced by opposition groups in return for their participation in any peace negotiations. The nine nations at the meeting agreed instead on a plan for a political transition in Syria, with Russia and China blocking attempts by other participants to require Mr. Assad’s removal from power. |
| Mr. Jamil said the proposed Geneva II conference would aim to establish “a government that represents the basic sides of the government and the opposition,” SANA reported. Any groups that “fail to attend will lose,” he was quoted as saying. | |
| The United States and Russia have been trying to convene the gathering since May. Mr. Jamil said the Syrian opposition was responsible for the delays, SANA reported. | The United States and Russia have been trying to convene the gathering since May. Mr. Jamil said the Syrian opposition was responsible for the delays, SANA reported. |
| Ahmad Assi al-Jarba, president of the Syrian opposition coalition, said at a news conference in New York in late September that he was prepared to participate in new peace talks, but that he wanted assurances of a “clear timetable” for achieving results, not “an open-ended dialogue with the regime.” | Ahmad Assi al-Jarba, president of the Syrian opposition coalition, said at a news conference in New York in late September that he was prepared to participate in new peace talks, but that he wanted assurances of a “clear timetable” for achieving results, not “an open-ended dialogue with the regime.” |
| Mr. Jarba’s coalition has suffered some defections over the last month, as a number of rebel groups inside Syria broke their ties with the coalition and accused its members, living in exile, of being detached from the fighting and the hardships inside the country. | Mr. Jarba’s coalition has suffered some defections over the last month, as a number of rebel groups inside Syria broke their ties with the coalition and accused its members, living in exile, of being detached from the fighting and the hardships inside the country. |
| In other Syria-related news on Thursday, a Canadian legal adviser to the United Nations peacekeeping force in the Golan Heights area between Syria and Israel, who was abducted eight months ago and apparently was held by rebel groups, escaped. The Canadian, Carl Campeau, was quoted by SANA as saying that his abduction had been a “nightmare and terrifying experience” and that he had fled his captors after they apparently forgot to lock his room. | In other Syria-related news on Thursday, a Canadian legal adviser to the United Nations peacekeeping force in the Golan Heights area between Syria and Israel, who was abducted eight months ago and apparently was held by rebel groups, escaped. The Canadian, Carl Campeau, was quoted by SANA as saying that his abduction had been a “nightmare and terrifying experience” and that he had fled his captors after they apparently forgot to lock his room. |
| At the United Nations, Mr. Nesirky said “obviously we’re delighted” that Mr. Campeau was now safe and that he appeared to be in good health. | At the United Nations, Mr. Nesirky said “obviously we’re delighted” that Mr. Campeau was now safe and that he appeared to be in good health. |
| In another indication of the extreme danger inside of Syria, the Arabic channel of the Sky News network said that three of its journalists had been kidnapped outside of the northern city of Aleppo. | In another indication of the extreme danger inside of Syria, the Arabic channel of the Sky News network said that three of its journalists had been kidnapped outside of the northern city of Aleppo. |
| Antigovernment activists in the area said they were abducted outside of the town of Anadan on their way to Aleppo, although it was unclear who had taken them. | Antigovernment activists in the area said they were abducted outside of the town of Anadan on their way to Aleppo, although it was unclear who had taken them. |
| The area has fighters from many rebel factions, an extremist group linked to Al Qaeda and criminals who kidnap foreigners to earn ransoms, said Mohamed al-Hadi, an activist in Aleppo, via Skype. | |
| At least five Americans are believed to be held in Syria. Four are journalists, including Austin Tice, who worked for McClatchy Newspapers and The Washington Post, who has been missing since Aug. 13, 2012; and James Foley, who worked for GlobalPost, a Web news site based in Boston, missing since Nov. 22, 2012. Names of the others have been withheld at the request of their families. | At least five Americans are believed to be held in Syria. Four are journalists, including Austin Tice, who worked for McClatchy Newspapers and The Washington Post, who has been missing since Aug. 13, 2012; and James Foley, who worked for GlobalPost, a Web news site based in Boston, missing since Nov. 22, 2012. Names of the others have been withheld at the request of their families. |
| Diane and John Foley, the parents of Mr. Foley, who turns 40 on Friday, have become increasingly active in the effort to at least determine who may have captured him. Mr. Assad and other Syrian officials have repeatedly asserted that he is not in government custody and is probably a prisoner of one of the armed rebel groups concentrated in the north. | |
| On Thursday the Foleys were granted an unusual meeting in New York with Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar Jaafari, who spent 45 minutes with them and expressed empathy, the parents said later in an interview. “He was warm and collegial,” Mrs. Foley said. | On Thursday the Foleys were granted an unusual meeting in New York with Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar Jaafari, who spent 45 minutes with them and expressed empathy, the parents said later in an interview. “He was warm and collegial,” Mrs. Foley said. |
| Mr. Jaafari is highly critical of the Obama administration for its support of the insurgency in Syria, arguing that it has helped to empower Al Qaeda and similar groups that hate the United States. | Mr. Jaafari is highly critical of the Obama administration for its support of the insurgency in Syria, arguing that it has helped to empower Al Qaeda and similar groups that hate the United States. |
Rick Gladstone contributed reporting from New York, and Ben Hubbard from Beirut, Lebanon. | Rick Gladstone contributed reporting from New York, and Ben Hubbard from Beirut, Lebanon. |