The recent visit by a group of US peace advocates and activists led by former Attorney-General, Mr. Ramsey Clark is indeed welcome by the majority of Syrians, under the hammer of terrorism for more than 4 years. The timing, formation as well as the high-level meetings held by the US delegation in Syria might- hopefully- be a prelude to a US Administration reconsideration of past mistakes as to save the more of human lives including American ones.
As H.E. President Bashar Al-Assad underscored in his Foreign Affairs Magazine interview on January 26th, 2015, ”Syria is the heart of the Middle East. Everybody knows that. If the Middle East is sick, the whole world will be unstable. In 1991, when we started the peace process, we had a lot of hope. Now, after over 20 years, things are not at square one; they’re much below that square. So the policy should be to help peace in the region, to fight terrorism, to promote secularism, to support this area economically, to help upgrade the mind and society like you did in your country. That is the supposed mission of the United States, not to launch wars. Launching war doesn’t make you a great power.”
Mr. Clark, an expert in Syrian affairs and a frequent welcome visitor to Syria, has been embraced by Syria’s grand Mufti, Patriarchs of all Christian brothers churches, and briefed, along with the respected accompanying delegation, about the reality of the ongoing, about the unique model of life in unity, fraternity, and amity. It is Syria the land of Prophets, Apostles, Saints, heritage, peace and civilization and the ongoing is the legitimate hero fight of the Syrian Army and Syrians against al-Qaeda affiliates from more than 85 countries.
The visiting delegation was briefed by Comrade Hilal Al-Hilal, the Assistant Secretary General of the Baa’th Arab Socialist Party (BASP) on the strategic option of Syria as regard to fighting terrorism as well as on the measures taken by Syria like the ending of curfew, the drafting of the new constitution and the issuance of scores of laws and legislations.
The veteran Presidential Political and Media Advisor, Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban underlined that H.E. President Bashar Al-Assad and Syrian people appreciate the delegation’s visit, pointing out that what Mr. Clark is to say once back home is important to be heard by the America people, pointing out that “when I asked him who is the beneficiary one from the war on Syria and why the US supports this war, Clark said that the reason is the US desire in destruction, as it did in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.”
Mr. Clark declared the aim of the visit as to find more opportunities for dialogue and coordination among the Syrian and American people, adding “we saw culture and credibility in Syria and we appreciate the struggle of this people, affirming “We will disallow them to shift Syria into Iraq or Libya.”
Former six-term Congressperson from Georgia, Cynthia McKinney, also appreciated the Syrian people’s capability of resistance and fight against terrorism, asserting that many Americans including the delegation members do not agree with the US Government policies which led to al-Qaeda creation and terrorism proliferation.
The delegation’s meeting with the Syndicate of the Bar Association, Lawyer Nizar al-Skeif, was further an exchange of ideas and opinions about terrorism-fighting legislations and jurisdictions
Mr. Clark warned further against the repercussions of the ongoing in Syria on international peace and security, where it would be in total chaos, and destruction, lashing out at some countries, including the US, in spreading chaos and bloodshed in Syria.
The delegation was also briefed by Information Minister, Mr. Omran al-Zoubi, on the ongoing strenuous efforts as to find the appropriate political exit from the crisis in line with fighting the foreign-backed terrorism, asserting that situation on the ground is in favor of the Syrian State against terrorism.
The visiting US delegation held further another cordial, transparent and fruitful meeting with the Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Dr. Fayssal al-Mikdad, who noted that the US arming and training of the non-existent “moderate opposition” was but a flagrant violation of UN counter-terrorism resolutions, as to prolong the sufferings of the Syrians
Dr. Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim
alibrahim56@hotmail.com