De Mistura rewrites the 12 basic principles of the Geneva negotiations

The special representative of the UN General Secretary for Syria, Staffan De Mistura, indicated during a Press conference on the 24th March 2016 that he had composed a document listing the 12 principles which will serve as a basis for the inter-Syrian negotiations in Geneva [1].

This document replaces the appendix to the plan for the total and unconditional capitulation of Syria – drawn up in 2012 by Volker Perthes’ group for the UN Director of Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman - “Key Principles revealed during Consultations with Syrian Stake-holders”.

During the summer of 2015, Steffan De Mistura agreed in writing that he would not attempt to apply the plan of his hierarchical superior, Jeffrey Feltman, but on the contrary, would negotiate peace between the parties. On the basis of this promise, Russia and Syria agreed not make the text of the plan public.

The new document, adopted under the control of the United States and Russia, resumes the demands of the Syrian Arab Republic and marks the end of the religious pretensions of Saudi Arabia and Turkey.