By Abdullah al-Ghadawi
(Zaman Al Wasl)- Spoksman of the opposition High Negotiations Committee Riyad Nassan Agha confirmed the political solution begins with Bashar Assad's departure.
In a dialouge with Zaman al-Wasl, he said, “the one who destroyed Syria cannot be accepted to be on top of power” negating there are no different stands in HNC regarding Assad leaving.
Nassan stressed that Russian forces presence on Syrian soil is an occupation, and he questioned saying, “where do civilians go in Aleppo in this hell surrounding them by Peoples’ Protection Units PYD and ISIS.”
Z: How do you HNC see the Russian minister of defense statement of opening 3 corridors in Aleppo in light of talks of resuming negotiations?
N: Russia does its role as a state of occupation. I expected the Syrian minister of defense and not the Russian would announce this humanitarian operation (as Russians called it). The irony is that the Syrian minister announced it with a direction from President Putin, but this is the truth Russia and Iran besieged Aleppo with extensive participation from Hezbollah and sectarian militias, and now the Russians display humanitarian corridors for Aleppo residents to exit Aleppo, but the question is where to?
The catastrophe is there is a bigger siege facing civilians; if they go east, they will find ISIS and if they go north, they will find PYD and if they go to Idlib, the same Russian warplanes which destroyed Aleppo continue to destroy Idlib under pretext of fighting al-Nusra. Regarding the rebels, the Russians opened a special corridor for them. Ask the Russians (is this the building trust stage which resolution 2254 talked about)?
Anyway, what is happening in Aleppo is a battle of competition and ongoing since years. Any absence of Russian warplanes in the Syrian skies will turn the balances in the field. We ask God the battles to stop so we can start a political solution.
But the coming danger near and perhaps in days is that Russian, Iranian forces and allies of regime forces and Hezbollah might storm Aleppo and opening corridors might be to pave way for this storming, and it might preemptive acquittal attempt as it is expected a huge number of civilians will fall victims to this expected attack as Russia will say we opened corridors for them to flee, but they did not.
Z: Are circumstances now fit to start negotiations with the regime?
N: I do not see any fit conditions. The reasons why the negotiations were delayed are still there, but even the conditions are now a lot worse. Still, HNC will meet in Riyad when the official invitation is received to study the situation.
Z: In case you go to negotiations in light of Assad leaving power, do you see the negotiations worthy?
N: A political solution cannot be reached with Assad remain in power. For HNC, which is more important ceasefire and military operations while Assad remains or leaves?
The key to solution is Assad leaving power.
Z: What did HNC achieved since its formation and do you see its foundation changed the opposition Syrian course?
N: HNC came into being as a result of an international understanding of Syria friends group. It cannot achieve a solution without an international resolution.
The problem is the members of the security council were not committed with the resolutions they issued. What HNC achieve throughout the few past months is showing the presence of a national opposition looking for a just solution and HNC foiled the image of the Syrian cause that it is a regime fighting extremists and terrorists only. The HNC showed the moderate national and democratic face of the Syrian revolution.
Z: America talks about Assad remain in the transitional period and forming a military council, what is the stand at least of Assad remain amid differences of stands in HNC regarding his remain?
N: There are no differences of stands regarding Assad in HNC.
All are committed to Riyad statement which is clear in rejecting Assad remaining a president after he destroyed Syria. (Translation by Rana Abdul)
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.