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             Kerry: Russian Planes in Syria for 'Force Protection'

   by VOA News

   Secretary of State John Kerry says U.S. military experts believe the
   Russian planes sent to an air base in Syria are there for basic "force
   protection," intended to protect Russian soldiers and assets already on
   the ground.

   But Kerry said Tuesday it is still not clear what Russia's long-term
   intentions are for boosting its military presence in Syria. He said if
   Russia is looking for a sphere of influence in the Middle East, it is
   going about it in a very odd way, by backing a Syrian government
   responsible for atrocities.

   "Support for [Syrian President Bashar al-] Assad is support for a Shia
   minority that has dropped barrel bombs on its people, that has gassed
   his own people, war crimes, that has starved his people, tortured his
   people," said Kerry.

   Russia has said it wants to defeat Islamic State, but has refused to
   join the U.S.-led coalition that shares the same goal.

   Kerry said he hopes Russia and Iran - another major Syrian ally - are
   prepared to work for peace in Syria.

   "But if they [the Russians] are there to shore up Assad and to simply
   stand there in a way that provides Assad with a continued sense that he
   doesn't have to negotiate, that I think it's a problem for Syria...and
   for everybody who wans to bring an end to this conflict which has gone
   on for too long now," he said.

   The United Nations envoy on Syria launched another effort Tuesday to
   open peace talks on Syria. Staffan de Mistura announced the heads of
   four "thematic" working groups. The plan calls for Syrian parties to
   participate in discussions within the groups looking at political and
   legal issues, military matters and counterterrorism.

   The 2012 Geneva Communique on Syria sets out a road map for a
   democratic transition and remains the basis for a peaceful settlement.

   It includes an interim government ahead of a democratic election. But
   the U.S. has said Assad has no place in Syria's future.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-russian-planes-in-syria-for-for
   ce-protection/2974425.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-russian-planes-in-syria-for-force-protection/2974425.html