geneva mediator u.n.-led syrian peace talk geneva assess next week whether either side try sabotage process say thursday president bashar al-assad negotiators say would turn five days late shall assess behavior side government opposition geneva u.n. envoy staffan de mistura say base decide ... build sabotage geneva either side see sabotage process could bad impact political attempt process elsewhere say say geneva round talk peace process back u.n. security council although many initiatives plan elaborate russian president vladimir putin seek re-election next year suggest hold syrian congress russian city sochi early 2018. diplomats see putin plan bid draw line war seven years fight celebrate russia role power tip balance war become key player peace process opposition negotiator basma kodmani tell reporters government side waste chance week direct negotiations opposition could think show presence behavior number document submit issue raise u.n. constructive engagement unite nations partner far talk say physically absence government delegation lead chief negotiator bashar al-ja afari effectively halt peace process make little progress eight round late round begin last week de mistura hop discuss agenda include constitutional electoral reform ja afari arrive day late leave two days say opposition mine road talk insist assad could play interim role syria political transition delegation return damascus consult refresh ja afari initially threaten come back opposition say would embarrassment russia de mistura say thursday ja afari delegation confirm would return sunday five days late expect another stretch talk last dec. 15. u.n. assess either side try 'sabotage syria talk