Since the Russians directly entered into the Syrian crisis as a party who insisted on letting the Syrian people self-determine their fate through a consensual political solution, the European Central Powers began feeling afraid to return empty-handed “after the party is over”.
On Tuesday, 12/9/2017, Melody FM radio held an interview with the secretary of the People Will Party and the leader in the Change and Liberation Front, Alaa Arafat. In the interview Arafat discussed the latest political developments at the global, regional and local levels. Here are some of the most important questions and answers in this interview.
The preliminary results of the Astana meeting confirm new progress in this trajectory; on the one hand, by making firm and consolidated what has been agreed upon previously, through expanding the circle of participants from the regional forces in attending these meetings as observers, and on the other hand, by creating the conditions for further progress on the path of the political process.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey as guarantors of the observance of the ceasefire regime in the Syrian Arab Republic (hereinafter referred to as “Guarantors”):
The declaration of breaking the siege imposed on Deir al-Zour represents a new phase in the history of the Syrian crisis. Most analyses and readings of the event indicate that it is a continuation of the series of field defeats of Daesh [ISIS] terrorist organization. In addition, this event consolidates the appropriate atmosphere for a new advance on the path of the political process, and push it to the stage of direct negotiations between the regime and the opposition, especially as the process goes in parallel with expansion of the de-escalation zones.
Brothers representatives of all parties of the Syrian opposition.
Brothers representatives of the Syrian government delegation.
Gentlemen in the United Nations Special Envoy’s Team to Syria.
Gentlemen representatives of the countries of the "International Syria Support Group".
Gentlemen representatives of the Guarantor States for the de-escalation and cease-fire zones.
Observers of evolution of the Syrian crisis since 2011 have noticed that any hardline position taken by any side has always led to equally hard line ones from the other side, so that the law of action and reaction was the predominant and determining factor in directing the development of events.
The invitation of Moscow and Cairo Platforms [of Syrian opposition] to Riyadh to discuss the formation of one delegation of the Syrian opposition was a new step in securing the necessary elements for the completion of the political process. Regardless of the preliminary results of the meeting and the sharp disagreement that emerged between the platforms on the principles of forming the one delegation. The invitation itself – in its timing, and despite the advance and repeated announcement of the Moscow platform that Riyadh is not the most appropriate place for the meeting – reveals that the new international and regional climate imposes its rhythm on the Syrian scene, and primarily on the political process.
De Mistura is not saying unfounded words The international envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, expected next month to witness the beginning of qualitative changes in the Syrian crisis. De Mistura's statement condenses the summary of international and regional positions and consensuses about the Syrian crisis that were expressed last month, even by the most hardliner countries towards the Syrian file. This reflects the new climate that is taking root at various levels and fields in favor of a political solution.
A consultative meeting between the three opposition platforms - Moscow, Riyadh and Cairo - took place on Monday (August 21st) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at the invitation of the High Negotiations Committee.
