Russian experts: President Al-Assad’s plan is ‘ essential’

MOSCOW,(ST)_ Russian political researchers see President Bashar Al-Assad’s political plan to resolve the crisis in Syria is ‘very important’.

A senior political scientist at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Boris Dolgov, said: “The plan is significant to bring about solution to Syria crisis. All Syrian national parties and democratic national opposition must take part in the national dialogue. This is what President Al-Assad stressed in his speech. “

He added that Russia’s attitude goes along with President Al-Assad’s plan.

“Russia’s attitude has not changed and it is based on solving the crisis in Syria through national and political dialogue ‘only’ according to Geneva Statement,” Dolgov said.

He cited that Russia’s attitude and the tripartite meeting to be held in Geneva between representatives of  Russia, US and the UN Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi are important to resolve the crisis in Syria.  

As for Brahimi’s stance, Dolgov said: “The stance calls for bringing about a solution to the crisis on one hand, and at the same time talks about future government on the other,” stressing that only Syrians have the right to tackle this issue.

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Meanwhile, a Russian expert in international affairs, Vyacheslav Afanasyev, told SANA reporter in Moscow that President Al-Assad’s speech has laid out number of main elements that must be used in the process of reaching political solution to the crisis.

“The Syrian national dialogue, which Russia is also waiting for, must be based on preserving Syria’s independence and not meddling in its internal affairs, especially in military ways,” Afanasyev said.

He underscored that every people including the Syrian people must resolve their problems by themselves and in peaceful way only.

Afanasyev sees it is desirable that the opposition adopts constructive stances and accepts to participate in the dialogue without preconditions.

“Russia’s attitude is constructive and all international parties accept it,” the Russian expert concluded.

Basma Qaddour