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               Kerry to Geneva in Bid to Bolster Syria Cease-Fire

   by Luis Ramirez

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is due late Sunday in Geneva as part
   of a U.S. bid to reaffirm a U.S.-Russian mediated cease-fire as
   violence escalates in Syria, especially in its largest city, Aleppo.

   "The secretary made clear that ending the violence in Aleppo and
   returning ultimately to a durable, nationwide cessation is a top
   priority," State Department spokesman John Kirby said before the top
   U.S. diplomat departed Washington.

   Meanwhile, Russian General Sergei Kuralenko told Russian news agencies
   talks are under way to halt the Syrian bombardment of the rebel
   stronghold in Aleppo.

   ''

   'Regime of calm' in Latakia province
   To support the cease-fire, the Syrian military on Friday said it would
   impose a temporary "regime of calm" in the areas around Damascus and in
   northwestern Syria's Latakia province, but the order did not include
   Aleppo.

   ''

   The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said air strikes
   on Saturday continued to take a heavy toll on civilians in the city,
   where activists say nearly 250 people have been killed in the past 10
   days.

   On Sunday, the group said 859 civilians had been among the 3,116 people
   documented killed in the conflict during the month of April. It said
   410 of those had died in raids by Syrian and Russian warplanes and
   helicopter gunships.

   Kerry: Aleppo must be included in cease-fire
   In telephone calls to U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura
   and leader of the Syrian Opposition High Negotiations Committee Riyad
   Hijab, Kerry said the cease-fire must include Aleppo.

   The Assad government has sought to justify its attacks in Aleppo,
   saying they target rebels of the terrorist al-Nusra front who have been
   hitting government-controlled areas with rocket and artillery fire.

   U.S. officials dismiss the Assad government's claims as false, saying
   the attacks have predominantly targeted innocent civilians and moderate
   groups, all in violation of the cease-fire.

   ''

   Proximity talks to end the five-year-old conflict ground to a halt last
   week, prompting de Mistura, to call for the United States and Russia to
   intervene.

   Russian officials have backed the Syrian military's claim the attacks
   on Aleppo are an anti-terrorist operation.

   Outrage
   Kerry said he is outraged by the air strikes in Aleppo, including one
   Wednesday at a hospital supported by the group Doctors Without Borders,
   where children and medical staff were among those killed.

   IN PICTURES: Deadly attack on hospital

   ''
   "Russia has an urgent responsibility to press the regime in Syria to
   abide fully by the cessation of hostilities," Kerry tweeted last week.
   In a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Kerry
   called for Moscow to help contain and reduce the violence.

   State Department officials say they are working on "specific
   initiatives" to de-escalate the fighting and hope to make progress on
   them soon. Analysts say proposals could include establishing safe zones
   within Aleppo.

   In Geneva, Kerry's efforts will be complicated because Lavrov is not
   scheduled to be there.

   During his 20-hour visit, Kerry is to meet with de Mistura and the
   foreign ministers of Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-to-geneva-in-bid-to-bolster-syria-cease-fire/3310561.html