Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Syrian Talks on New Constitution End on Amicable Note

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - Weeklong negotiations in Geneva aimed at drafting a new
   constitution for Syria have ended with an agreement to meet for further
   talks at an as yet unspecified date.

   There was no breakthrough in the complex process of drafting a
   constitution, a key prelude to forming a post-conflict government in
   Syria. However, there also was no rancorous breakup.

   U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen describes the talks in
   Geneva as challenging. But he says that did not deter the 45-member
   Constitutional Committee from engaging in substantive negotiations. As
   the U.N. mediator and go-between among the members of the committee, he
   says he found it fascinating to listen to their discussions.

   "Obviously, there are still very strong disagreements, and my Syrian
   friends are, of course, never afraid of expressing those
   disagreements," Pedersen said. "But I was also extremely pleased to
   hear the two co-chairs saying very clearly that they thought also there
   were quite a few areas of commonalities."

.