Opposition representative in Berlin offended by Berghof Foundation's practices

(Zaman Al Wasl)-  The Embassy of Syrian National Coalition in Germany has refused to cooperate with the Berghof Foundation for a new year over abusive practices to the key opposition group, Ambassador said in report seen by Zaman al-Wasl.

The German NGO, that seeks a new 600-thousand-euro as fund from the Federal Foreign Office over ‘Syria Project’, should get the approval of the National Coalition according to the regulations.

Bassam al-Abdullah, Coalition’s Ambassador in Berlin, in an official report submitted to the leadership of the coalition, said Berghof had made numerous abuses against the Syrian people’s legitimate representative, who has been recognized by the EU and the Group of Friends of the Syrian People.

Al-Abdullah questioned the activities of the German foundation that get fund from the German government, saying this support ‘has not borne fruit,’ also it was not politically influential, and is absolutely not visible on the German and international arena, he added.

The Ambassador said, “Berghof, who was approved by the German government to deal with the coalition, is acting individually and completely separate.”

Most of our demands were neglected by the foundation, al-Abdullah said. The Foundation is not cooperative anymore; even its officials say that "Coalition has become a pariah among the Syrians in Germany."

‘Syria liaison office’ was opened in Berlin on 10 July 2013 by the National Coalition and is funded by the Federal Foreign Office and under the supervision of Berghof in what so-called 'Syria Project'. 

The Berghof Foundation identified itself as an independent organization that supports efforts to prevent political and social violence, and to achieve sustainable peace through conflict transformation.

According to the founding statement of Syria Liaison Offcie, the Federal Foreign Office assured that the office is intended to help German non-governmental organizations better coordinate their support for the opposition in Syria. “It will also function as a first port of call for new arrivals from the war-torn country,” added.

The statement also said that Germany wanted to work with its international partners to help build the institutions and internal cohesion of the Syrian Coalition, in order to promote an alternative to the Assad regime.

(Editing by Jamal Ibrahim)