The trajectory of Geneva?

I think we will be in front of the trajectory of Geneva, and not ahead of a Geneva conference taking place, soon concluded as each delegation return back from where it came. As the issue is too complex to be resolved in conference sessions attended by this or that delegation, as much as it is a long arduous complex trajectory; where several factors overlap, related in some respects to the internal parties of the crisis, and in others to regional and international dimensions.

The attendance of internal, regional and international parties to Geneva conference, reflects the complex nature of the crisis; meaning that some obligations would entail each party, some of a unilateral nature and others bilateral or collective. Since fronting surrounding  and blockading terrorism requires collective international efforts that must be borne by distinct countries within a clear and transparent mechanism. In the meanwhile there are regional countries supporting terrorism in broad daylight with money and weapons, moreover they are taking on their shoulders the funding and arming of specific terrorist groups under different titles, the matter that will entail clear responsibilities and obligations on them if any solution formula is being reached.

At the Syrian domestic level, there is interdependence between the interior and exterior tracks, since a political settlement cannot be discussed without addressing the problem’s origins and roots, not symptoms.  Hence, emerges the necessity of achieving security, stability and the return of normal life for the Syrian community and institutions; which can only be achieved through an open counter terrorist armed gangs, the end of all forms of militarization, fighting and violence; as well as the Syrian bloodshed stop. In addition to seriously and radically handling all the humanitarian dimensions of the crisis and its repercussions on the Syrian society to provide a suitable atmosphere for stability, through which a political process can be started including a national wide spectrum, done with a Syrian road map outlining the solution features and resulting in a new political and social contract throughout Syrians consensus, and free and independent will without external influences.

Therefore, any success of the Geneva conference depends on the availability of genuine political will and good intentions of all attending parties, invited ones or those having effect on the crisis blow-off.  Consequently, without these factors availability the conference cannot achieve palpable and substantial results on ground, but will only be a set of relievers which effects will quickly wipe out to reveal the basic symptoms that form the problem’s essence and its true torment.  Obliviously, when talking about invited parties will and good intentions, some parties supportive of terrorist armed groups essentially do not want a political solution, but will attend as a deactivating or a counterfeiting party, the matter should be taken into account to put those parties in front of their responsibilities and to monitor their positions during and after the conference sessions. Noticeably,  they are pushing their concomitant opposition to put what is called the Transitional Governing Body on the conference’s agenda, as a focal point; which clearly reflects their desire to reach power at any price no matter how long the crisis goes on, away from the cost paid by Syrians from their gore, property, security and stability. This is what several parties are betting on, especially regional ones, which the Syrian government practically rejects, as it sees the priority should be placed on terrorism, violence, and the return of stability which wholly represent the Syrians priorities as they have all been scorched by the crisis’ fires.

The order of priority on the conference agenda, is a major issue to test and probe the participating parties seriousness in addressing the crisis roots, not its symptoms. At this juncture, the conference moderators and benefactors whether they are Russia, the United States, the United Nations Secretary General or other regional parties, should altogether show their ability to achieve the aforementioned through the positions they take in its meetings and debates.  Since the general atmosphere that will be created by those powers inside the conference, would have a clear impact on its tracks and aftermaths. Therefore, we should not be surprised if some parties that do not wish a political solution to instruct the opposition delegation to withdraw or to threaten of withdrawing from the conference; if it did not put priority on what is called the Transitional Governing Body formation or to shortcut the conference purpose in this originally ambiguous title.

In fact, the belief to achieve decisive and rapid results in Geneva conference is very challenging. Thus, practically the prospects become more likely in advantage of achieving limited results and minor steps, within the prevailing atmospheres. At that juncture, the talk will be more likely about a long and hard course for Geneva conference where it may begin, but may ends somewhere else,  which is the more preponderant.

Dr. Khalaf Almuftah

Edited & translated by: Lama Al-Hassanieh