David Cameron in the United States

'Peace is war and war is peace'

This confirms Sibel Edmonds' view.

Russia shift on Syria sees Cameron urge new Western approach

David Cameron will tell President Barack Obama that Russia is shifting its position on Syria and the opportunity exists to “put some flesh on the bones” of a new peace drive.

The Telegraph,

13 May, 2013

The Prime Minister is holding talks with the US leader in Washington just days after meeting Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for talks that indicated a breakthrough was possible on differences over Syria.

The subtle shift in the Russian position suggests Moscow is more willing to engage with the West on talks to end the civil war.

“I was very heartened that while it is no secret that Britain and Russia have taken a different approach to Syria I was very struck in my conversations with President Putin that there is a recognition that it would be in all our interests to secure a safe and secure Syria with a democratic and pluralistic future and end the regional instability.”

Russia has frustrated Cameron and other Western leaders in the past by blocking action against Assad in the United Nations and by supplying the Syrian government with arms.

Mr Putin will meet with Benajmin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, after Israel twice earlier this month carried out air strikes near Damascus, attacks a senior Israeli source said were aimed at preventing the transfer of sophisticated weapons to Hizbollah, the powerful Lebanese Shia group allied to Syria.

Russia last week refused to rule out supplying weapons to Syria, saying it has to honour existing contracts.

But Moscow has signalled it is willing to co-host peace talks between the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and his rebel opponents.

“We have a common interest in putting an immediate end to violence... and launching a peace process”, the Russian president told reporters.

Britain has detected a subtle shift in Russia’s attitude to the Syrian conflict which it hopes may make it easier to organise a peace conference aimed at overseeing a political transition.

Russia shows no signs of withdrawing its backing for Syrian President Assad’s government,.

Last week the United States and Russia announced a joint effort to bring the Syrian government and its opponents to an international conference, the first such major diplomatic initiative to stop the civil war for almost a year.

Britain’s perception of a new Russian attitude emerged as Mr Cameron arrived in Washington on Monday to meet President Barack Obama in the White House with Syria high on the agenda.

Mr Cameron said the focus was now mostly on the quest for a political solution.

“There is something bigger happening here which is a realisation that it would be far better if what we could do is bring about a political transition through a greater engagement and agreement between America, Russia, Britain, France and other powers,” he said.