Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                             UN Set for Syria Vote

   The United Nations General Assembly is expected to adopt a resolution
   Wednesday condemning the continued violence in Syria and calling on the
   country`s government to give access to U.N. investigators.
   The non-binding resolution drafted by Qatar welcomes the main
   opposition coalition as an "effective" dialogue participant needed for
   a political transition in Syria. It notes the group`s widespread
   international acceptance as the legitimate representative of the Syrian
   people.
   The resolution also demands that Syria give a U.N. team free access to
   investigate alleged uses of chemical weapons. That team authorized by
   U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is ready to deploy, but Syria has
   not allowed them into the country.
   Russia opposes the resolution, and diplomats say the document is
   expected to earn less support than a previous resolution the General
   Assembly passed last August.
   Twelve countries, including Russia, China and Iran, voted against the
   earlier resolution, which Syria rejected as a "piece of theater" that
   would have no effect.
   The new document reiterates condemnation for Syrian forces using heavy
   weapons in populated areas, and also urges all sides to allow
   humanitarian workers to move freely inside of Syria.
   The vote comes as efforts continue to try to arrange a Syrian peace
   conference.
   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday he expects the Syrian
   government and the main opposition to attend a conference in early
   June.
   Amid reports the Syrian government needs more details before deciding
   whether to attend, Kerry said boycotting the meeting would be a
   "miscalculation" and drum up more support for the opposition.
   He said last week that the outcome of a peace conference could
   influence a U.S. decision whether to arm the opposition.
   Russia and the United States agreed last week to arrange peace talks
   despite their sharp disagreements over Syria. Russia is a long-time
   ally of Mr. Assad, while the United States has been sending non-lethal
   aid to the rebels.
   Mr. Ban is due to meet with Russian officials later this week to
   discuss the situation in Syria.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/un-set-for-syria-vote/1661237.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/un-set-for-syria-vote/1661237.html