US to participate as observer in next round of Astana talks

WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (KUNA) -- US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield will lead the US government observer delegation in the next round of Astana Process talks on Syria, due in Astana, Kazakhstan in September 14-15.
The State Department said in a statement on Tuesday that Satterfield will "reinforce US support for all efforts to achieve a sustainable de-escalation of violence and provision of unhindered humanitarian aid." "The United States, however, remains concerned with Iran's involvement as a so-called "guarantor" of the Astana process," the statement stressed.
It affirmed that "Iran's activities in Syria and unquestioning support for the Assad regime have perpetuated the conflict and increased the suffering of ordinary Syrians." The US had participated as an observer during the previous round of Astana talks in June. (end) si.gb