VIENTIANE, REUTERS, Jan 25, 2016–  U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he hoped for “clarity” within 24 to 48 hours on Syrian peace talks that were supposed to have started in Geneva on Monday, and that it was better to delay a few days than to have them crumble at the start.
Kerry told reporters on a visit to Laos he agreed with the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura that invitations for the talks should not be sent out until “you have pieces lined up.”
The future of the talks was in the hands of the Syrian parties, he added.
“They have to be serious. If they are not serious, war will continue. Up to them – you can lead a horse to water; you can’t make it drink,” Kerry said.
“We have created a framework; the Syrians have the ability to decide the future of Syria.
The talks between the Syrian government and opposition had been due to start in Geneva on Monday, but a Western diplomat said on Sunday they were unlikely to begin before Wednesday.
Kerry said he hoped for “clarity” within 24 to 48 hours.
“The position of the United States is and hasn’t changed, that we are still supporting the opposition politically, financially and militarily,” he added.
Kerry said another meeting of the International Syria Support Group, of countries supporting the Syria peace process, had been “tentatively” called for Feb. 11.