By Abdullah Al Ghadawi; Translation by Rana Abdul
(Zaman al-Wasl)- An interview with the Head of Syrian opposition's High Negotiation Committee to Geneva, Asaad al-Zoubi represents his vision over the negotiation rounds and forthcoming scenarios.
The senior opposition figure announced his will to resign after the resignation of Mohamed Alloush, chief peace negotiator, in the light of new figures entering the negotiations and regime's time-wasting agenda.
Head of Negotiation Delegate in the Higher Committee for Negotiations is not convinced in this role, but he is still searching for hope at the end of the tunnel in the negotiation with the deceptive and evasive regime. This is not a trimming, but these are the words of the head of Negotiation Delegate brigadier-general Asaad al-Zoubi.
Syria opposition's negotiator resigns over failure of UN peace talks
Zaman al-Wasl interviewed al-Zoubi about the negotiations with the regime. Asaad confirmed the negotiations are done by killing and wasting time over the spill of the Syrian blood. He considered that Syrians who believe in negotiations tend to lean for the regime.
Regarding fighting in al-Ghouta in Damascus countryside and loss of territory to regime, al-Zoubi holds leaders and fighters’ alike responsibility indicating that instead of the plight bringing us together, it is dividing us. This is what happened in al-Ghouta.
Z: All your statements show that you have given up on a political solution, why?
A: It is true. This giving up on a political solution stems from the reality. We want a political solution, but we look at the reality in the field. The Russians fight the Syrian population daily and the regime says in its loudest voice it does not want a political solution. Hence, there are variables on the ground leading us to the impossibility of reaching a political solution with the regime. For Iran, Russia, and the regime, the Syrian people are terrorists who should be killed. So then how can you reach a political solution with them?
Z: Since the situation is like this, why are you still the head of the negotiation delegate?
A: For me personally, the Syrian who believe in negotiations leans towards the regime. We went for negotiations for three essential points. First, our belief in a political solution and to preserve what is left of the Syrian blood. Second, we went to implement the 2245 resolution especially the humanitarian part and entrance of aid, release of detainees, lift the blockade off cities, cease-fire. These are the factors that pushed us to go to Geneva. Also, this is what has been agreed upon with the International Community for the political transition to take place. However, when we went to Geneva, the regime started escalating. We stopped negotiations. The United States and Russia and other countries intervened. Following that Kerry and Lavrov’s false statement was released regarding cease of fire. Nothing resulted from that. It only showed the lies of the International Community.
Z: Tomorrow some countries will intervene to convince you of going to Geneva and the same scenario all over again?
A: I do not believe in negotiations personally. I know the Assad lies which is learning from its Iranian mate which negotiated United States for years.
Z: If you know they are liars, and you are certain of the impossibility of a political solution, why do you continue to negotiate then?
A: Because we have not given up on the constants of the revolution and the constants of al-Riyad. We are in a political battle and we hold onto the revolution constants.
Z: Do you think the circumstances permit to start a new round of negotiations?
A: Not at all. The circumstances now are worse than before. There is no political or military climate that is fit for negotiations. There is a systematic destruction and catastrophic massacres committed continuously. How can we negotiate under these circumstances?
Z: Do you think the regime wants to regain its control and where are your friends?
A: Of course the regime dreams of taking control again with the Russian and Iranian support, but it is very difficult and impossible. Regarding the friends, let me tell you this- at least the Americans- they only have empty statements to offer.
Z: Daraya (Damascus countryside) is in a catastrophic situation, what did you offer?
A: We presented 6 appeal statements for the United Nations Envoy Steffan De Mistura and to the General Secretary of United Nations Ban ki Moon and for the International Community. They, in turn, did not do anything. They do not want to offer anything to the Syrian population. They only deceive them every day.
Z: Who do you hold accountable for the fighting in Ghouta?
A: Everyone is responsible for what happened in Ghouta, the rebel leaders and fighters alike. We sent them letters and appeals to stop fighting, but unfortunately instead of the plight bringing us together, it is dividing us.
(Zaman al-Wasl)- An interview with the Head of Syrian opposition's High Negotiation Committee to Geneva, Asaad al-Zoubi represents his vision over the negotiation rounds and forthcoming scenarios.
The senior opposition figure announced his will to resign after the resignation of Mohamed Alloush, chief peace negotiator, in the light of new figures entering the negotiations and regime's time-wasting agenda.
Head of Negotiation Delegate in the Higher Committee for Negotiations is not convinced in this role, but he is still searching for hope at the end of the tunnel in the negotiation with the deceptive and evasive regime. This is not a trimming, but these are the words of the head of Negotiation Delegate brigadier-general Asaad al-Zoubi.
Syria opposition's negotiator resigns over failure of UN peace talks
Zaman al-Wasl interviewed al-Zoubi about the negotiations with the regime. Asaad confirmed the negotiations are done by killing and wasting time over the spill of the Syrian blood. He considered that Syrians who believe in negotiations tend to lean for the regime.
Regarding fighting in al-Ghouta in Damascus countryside and loss of territory to regime, al-Zoubi holds leaders and fighters’ alike responsibility indicating that instead of the plight bringing us together, it is dividing us. This is what happened in al-Ghouta.
Z: All your statements show that you have given up on a political solution, why?
A: It is true. This giving up on a political solution stems from the reality. We want a political solution, but we look at the reality in the field. The Russians fight the Syrian population daily and the regime says in its loudest voice it does not want a political solution. Hence, there are variables on the ground leading us to the impossibility of reaching a political solution with the regime. For Iran, Russia, and the regime, the Syrian people are terrorists who should be killed. So then how can you reach a political solution with them?
Z: Since the situation is like this, why are you still the head of the negotiation delegate?
A: For me personally, the Syrian who believe in negotiations leans towards the regime. We went for negotiations for three essential points. First, our belief in a political solution and to preserve what is left of the Syrian blood. Second, we went to implement the 2245 resolution especially the humanitarian part and entrance of aid, release of detainees, lift the blockade off cities, cease-fire. These are the factors that pushed us to go to Geneva. Also, this is what has been agreed upon with the International Community for the political transition to take place. However, when we went to Geneva, the regime started escalating. We stopped negotiations. The United States and Russia and other countries intervened. Following that Kerry and Lavrov’s false statement was released regarding cease of fire. Nothing resulted from that. It only showed the lies of the International Community.
Z: Tomorrow some countries will intervene to convince you of going to Geneva and the same scenario all over again?
A: I do not believe in negotiations personally. I know the Assad lies which is learning from its Iranian mate which negotiated United States for years.
Z: If you know they are liars, and you are certain of the impossibility of a political solution, why do you continue to negotiate then?
A: Because we have not given up on the constants of the revolution and the constants of al-Riyad. We are in a political battle and we hold onto the revolution constants.
Z: Do you think the circumstances permit to start a new round of negotiations?
A: Not at all. The circumstances now are worse than before. There is no political or military climate that is fit for negotiations. There is a systematic destruction and catastrophic massacres committed continuously. How can we negotiate under these circumstances?
Z: Do you think the regime wants to regain its control and where are your friends?
A: Of course the regime dreams of taking control again with the Russian and Iranian support, but it is very difficult and impossible. Regarding the friends, let me tell you this- at least the Americans- they only have empty statements to offer.
Z: Daraya (Damascus countryside) is in a catastrophic situation, what did you offer?
A: We presented 6 appeal statements for the United Nations Envoy Steffan De Mistura and to the General Secretary of United Nations Ban ki Moon and for the International Community. They, in turn, did not do anything. They do not want to offer anything to the Syrian population. They only deceive them every day.
Z: Who do you hold accountable for the fighting in Ghouta?
A: Everyone is responsible for what happened in Ghouta, the rebel leaders and fighters alike. We sent them letters and appeals to stop fighting, but unfortunately instead of the plight bringing us together, it is dividing us.
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