RR attended a public meeting with Stefan de Mistura, UN Special Envoy for Syria, at Chatham House in London on 5 March. We were also privileged to attend a subsequent smaller meeting organised by Oxfam between Special Envoy de Mistory and select representatives of Syrian organisations in the UK.
De Mistura stated that in his professional life of 43 years, having worked in one way or another on 21 conflicts, he has not come across a conflict that is more complex than that of Syria.
De Mistura accepted many questions from the audience, although his answers were very diplomatic. He stressed that his position required him to be neutral and to meet with all sides of the conflict. He also stressed that he has to work through diplomacy rather than applying pressure so as not to lose the opportunity for dialogue.
