Opposition figure calls to boycott planned Moscow talks with Assad

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Former National Coalition’s Secretary-General has denounced the planned talks with Syrian regime in Moscow which are set for Jan. 26-29, saying the main purpose is to distract the Syrian opposition and to give more legitimacy for Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Badr Jamous told Zaman al-Wasl that any participation by NC members will weaken the key opposition group and may create more discords and rifts.

Jamous, who is one of the invitees, said Moscow can not be the peacemaker because it not neutral since it has been Assad’s sincere ally.

In a renewed peace effort, Assad's ally Russia floated the idea in recent weeks of hosting Syrian government and opposition figures in Moscow. Staffan De Mistura's invitation confirms those talks are set for Jan. 26-29.

Jamous said the conference has no clear goal or agenda, assuring that Geneva talks are still the basic demands of Syrian opposition.

Two rounds of Geneva talks early in 2014 failed to halt the conflict which has killed 200,000 people and divisions over the future role of Assad remain a major stumbling block to a settlement.

Jamous says even Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian Foreign Deputy, is not ponder too much of this Conference.

Moscow has long supported Assad, including with arms supplies, and he became a more important ally after the Arab Spring protests toppled other Middle Eastern leaders.

In regard to the invitations, Coalition member Abdulahad Steifo told Reuters invitations had gone to five to 10 members personally rather than to the coalition as a body. "I think for the coalition this would be a problem," said Steifo, who did not get an invitation.

Hadi al-Bahra, head of the National Coalition, said on Saturday that Russia lacked a clear initiative.

The body will discuss its stance at its general assembly meeting which started on Friday, Steifo said.

A diplomat who tracks Syria said to Reuters the talks could include discussions on ways to enforce Syria's security, the formation of a transitional government and discussions on how to enable people who defected earlier in the conflict back into Syria.

Moscow has repeated a proposal that Assad stay in power for two years with a provisional government, before presidential elections in which he could stand again along with other candidates, the diplomat said. (With Reuters)

(Reporting by Abdullah Al Ghadawi; Editing by Ridha Ali)