“No” to violence as a way of dealing with political problems – Deputy PM Qadri Jamil

The visit to Moscow of Deputy Prime Minister of Syria for Economic Affairs Qadri Jamil has come to the end. In the current Syrian government he represents the Popular Front for Change and Liberation, which is part of the “internal opposition”. Before leaving Moscow, Qadri Jamil gave an interview to the Voice of Russia.

Please tell us about the results of your visit to Moscow. And, by the way, will you define more exactly, what was the status of your visit – was it a state or a party visit? That is, were you representing the government or the opposition?

The Syrian government has not authorized me to discuss any specific issues; I am not responsible for the political component in the government. My sphere of responsibility in the government is economic issues. Thus, this was a purely party visit, I was here as a representative of the Popular Front.

Nevertheless, could you briefly describe the current situation in the Syrian economy?

The economic situation in the country directly depends on the security situation. It is impossible to solve economic problems without settling acute political issues and, of course, without solving issues in the sphere of security. We need stability. It is also necessary to solve the problem of international economic sanctions. All these factors negatively affect the situation in the economy. The real situation is very complex. The way out is only possible through searching for a political solution by means of a dialogue.

In this sense, the main hopes are connected with convening the Geneva-2 conference on Syria. Now, there is confidence that this conference will be convened. Both international and regional players are already aware that it is impossible to solve the Syrian issue by military means; the only possible way out is negotiations.

A political settlement is the only possible option.

Precisely, this is the only solution. The Geneva-2 gives a chance to approach a political solution. First of all, we should stop foreign intervention in the internal affairs of Syria. This will help to reduce the level of violence, which, in turn, will allow to launch a political process.

What is your version of this political settlement? It is impossible to imagine that the opposing parties will agree on how to go on living immediately after they sit at the negotiating table. What is the starting point?

They should agree before they sit at the table of negotiations. They should say “No” to foreign military intervention, “No” to violence as a way of dealing with political problems. After that we can solve all the problems.

This is, as I understand, the point of view of the “internal” Syrian opposition. Meanwhile, the external opposition represented by the Syrian National Council has refused to participate in the Geneva conference. What are the relations between the internal and external opposition now; do you have common grounds?

There are relations between the internal and external opposition, but as for common grounds – everything is more complicated here. The external opposition is guided by a number of external players, and the internal one is guided by its supporters inside the country. The external players pose specific tasks connected with their interests to their partners from the external opposition, but they are completely unrealizable in Syria under current conditions. On the contrary, our position is based on the analysis of the situation inside the country. Therefore, there are very few common grounds between us. In addition, the external opposition, as you have correctly pointed out, is in point of fact divided in their views on participation in the Geneva conference.

Is it possible to convene the Geneva conference without participation of representatives of the external opposition?

The convening of the Geneva conference is a decided issue; international forces have agreed on the need to convene it. As it was stated, the doors of the conference will be open to everybody, who is not indifferent to the fate of Syria. Those, who refuse to take part in it, will find themselves away from the new political reality and will be doomed to defeat and isolation.

Do you mean that, say, the moderate opposition is ready to carry on a dialogue with the authorities?

It is doing it already.

Does the opposition have its own vision of economic and social development of Syria? Besides the “Assad, Go Away!” slogan, what else does the opposition constitute today?

Firstly, I personally, and we as the Front for Change and Liberation, we are the opposition, and we have entered the government. We entered the government, because we believed that this was a less coalition government, which was a model of the future national government, of a broad national unity in solving the Syrian crisis. This is first of all. Secondly, there is no united opposition in Syria, and there should not be. We are moving towards a pluralistic society in terms of politics. There are different points of view among the opposition, there are different positions, and there is an opposition, which has important programs – serious economic, social and political programs. And there is an opposition, which only has the “Assad, Go Away!” slogan, but this is not a program.

Does it mean a change for the better for the situation in Syria?

Of course, for the better, so that we can build the future Syria, Syria that will have great growth rates and a very deep social stratum.

Given the current situation in the country, within what period of time do you think you can achieve this? What’s the economic damage today?

It is great. Now, the real economy production has come down by 50 percent. The most important thing today is to launch a political process, stop the violence, and then we will talk about economic and social damages.

There are many terrorist groups fighting in Syria. Could it become a signal for re-introducing the state of emergency in the country, previously cancelled by Assad at the request of some opposition forces?

The state of emergency remains in force. The Geneva-2 should firstly ban the export of mercenaries, money and weapons to Syria, that is, close the border for them. If this happens, then we can say that the situation in Syria begins to stabilize. It is the duty of the international community.

There are a lot of data about the number of people, who left Syria during the war. Do you know the exact number? Is it tens of millions?

No, it’s an exaggeration. There are about five million of those, who fled their homes, but remained inside of Syria. I think, there are no more than two million of those, who left the country, but settled in the border areas of Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and Iraq.

Do you agree that there is a humanitarian disaster in Syria now?

Yes, it is, in some areas. For example, there is such situation in the suburbs of Aleppo, and in the suburbs of Damascus.

What food does the country need? What is it: sugar, grain?

First of all, it is flour, sugar, rice, and medicines.

Which countries are already helping now?

Russia helps, Iran, China helps. That is, Syria’s real friends help us.

Mr. Qadri Jamil, the process of disarmament is under way in Syria now. It is very expensive. The country is not able to cope financially with this issue by itself. Which countries have already expressed their wish to help Damascus financially, and in what amount?

Russia was the first to declare its readiness to help in this matter; I think the international community should take a serious part in this, because it is very expensive, and the situation in Syria is difficult. Of course, China is ready. I believe, not only friends of Syria are ready to help in this matter.

And at what stage is this process now – already at the stage of documentation or of disarmament and destruction?

Observers have already inspected 50 percent of the facilities, and the process of destruction has already begun.

In your opinion, is the term until the next summer enough time?

Maybe it’ll take a little bit more time.

Are some representatives of the opposition deliberately trying to ruin the process, to undermine it?

Some representatives of the opposition do not want to stop violence in Syria in general; so, they are trying to find different reasons to disrupt political processes, including this one.

What are your expectations concerning the future of Syria, the end of the conflict?

I believe, during the next year we will be able to come out of the crisis, and begin to raise Syria from ruins.

So, you expect that the Syrians will enter the year of 2015 in peace, don’t you?

Yes.

With a new President, because there will be elections next year …

There will be new presidential elections, and the Syrians will choose their President themselves.

Marianna Ozherelyeva, Navaof Ibrahim

M. Wassouf