Shaaban: Syrian Delegation Will Not Accept Anything Contradicting Syrians’ Interests

Geneva (ST)-Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban reaffirmed that the Syrian official delegation participating in Geneva is strongly present and it will not accept anything contradicting its principles and the Syrian people’s interests, pointing out that Geneva1 Communiqué provides that nothing can be done without both parties’ agreement.

In response to a question on the US attempt of bringing some armed factions of ‘the Islamic Front’ and others to expand the coalition and join them at the negotiation table, Shaaban told al-Manar TV  in a phone call “This reflects their doubtful relation with these sides that kill, mutilate, kidnap and sabotage state institutions”, adding that “There is an international side along with our Russian friends who see that pursuing the political track may lead to results that realize the Syrian people’s interests”.

“The secret of the Syrian diplomacy is simple, which is represented through believing in the homeland and its sanctity…it is axiomatic that our choice is either to live with dignity in our homeland or die defending it.”

Regarding the former US. Ambassador Robert Ford’s statements, Shaaban said ” I do not know what makes him so daring to address the Syrian people, I described him as High Commissioner,” adding “Ford thinks that Syria is under occupation, maybe because those sides  cooperating with him make him understand that this is acceptable for them and because they receive his orders and do what he wants, so he thinks that the Syrians accept that, but he is mistaken.”

Shaaban pointed out that the escalation of the US  Ambassador Ford and President Barack Obama is a result of our steadfastness and conviction that they will not be able to change anything.

On the Syrian official delegation’s feeling that  was negotiating the US while sitting with the coalition delegation, Shaaban said that ” We had negotiations with the Israeli side through a US mediation, and I can say that it was better because what is strange now is that we have submitted three days ago  joint principles statement irrefutable by any Syrian citizen, which are the principles of Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, combating terrorism and the rejection of foreign intervention, but this statement was  rejected by the other party”.

“On Wednesday, we proposed a condemnation paper of the US declaration of re-arming the so-called opposition, but the other party rejected it and didn’t accept to condemn the US. decision”, Shaaban pointed out, adding that “there is nothing in the world neither called ‘an armed opposition, nor a law that allows  arming an opposition.  This is a crime, but sorry to say that they come out with terms according to  their control over mass  media”.

Shaaban considered that if there is good intention in exerting efforts for solving the crisis, it is obvious to invite the national internal opposition along with Iran, which represents a major regional power, important for solving crisis”.

 In response to what has been said of coalition’s achievement by withdrawing the recognition of the official delegation in Geneva communiqué, particularly item No. 8 which talks about ” a transitional body”, Shaaban clarified that the other side attempts to achieve a fake victory, adding that the Syrian government has come to Geneva according to the UN Secretary General’s invitation which is based on Geneva1 Communiqué and it doesn’t  not have any problem with this issue”.

“The other party’s problem is that they want to jump into item no. 8, but there is no logic in the world that says we should start reading a paper from line no. 20, rather we should begin with line no. 1 of Geneve1 Communiqué, which is termination of violence, which is now named terrorism” asserting “it is impossible to launch a political discourse without stopping terrorism, which is targeting our people, institutions and army”.

She underlined the urgency of putting pressures on regional countries that finance, arm and send terrorists to stop that.

On the Syrian Arab Republic delegation’s media success in Geneva and  abstaining from giving statements to al-Jazeera TV, Shaaban said that this Channel is a partner in the Syrian bloodshed, so I refuse to give it any statements, noting that the Syrian official delegation has the opportunity, through their communications with different international media outlets, to reveal the truth .

Shaaban pointed out that the Syrian official delegation was able in Geneva, with the presence of huge mass media, to break the  media siege imposed by Syria’s enemies and to unveil some realities which they want to falsify from the beginning of the crisis.

I.Abdulkareem