West 'ignored Russian offer in 2012 to have Syria's Assad step aside' (middle east, regime)

[other99]

In 2012 Russian ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, laid out a three-point plan, which included a proposal for Assad to cede power at some point after peace talks had started between the regime and the opposition.

But he said that the US, Britain and France were so convinced that the Syrian dictator was about to fall, they ignored the proposal.

“It was an opportunity lost in 2012,” said by the Former Finnish president and Nobel peace prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari .West 'ignored Russian offer in 2012 to have Syria's Assad step aside' | World news | The Guardian

Another example of the West stuff up in the MIddle East. . When will it all change?

[saltine]

The west (including SA or Qatar) does not want Russia involved..They want Russia (Assad) out of the way so they can lay some pipe amongst other things. It is an interesting time in the region. Russia has checked the west, now we wait to see the next move.

[TheWiseWino]

One of the things that I love about the Guardian is the thoroughness of their reporting particularly in areas like the middle-east where they have quite a bit of experience. So when you go down further in the story the headline becomes less clear.