Statement by Moscow platform

1. The statement was adopted, with substantial amendments made when we were not present.

2 - The statement included accusations to Russia of using internationally prohibited weapons, and these accusations comply with the US campaign to find a justification for committing an aggression against Syria. It is clear that some in the commission is implementing a new approach in a preparation to a new policy desired to be followed by the United States of America.

3. The points mentioned above confirm the support - expressed by several parties within the Commission - to the speech made by Mr. Hadi Al-Bahra on the sidelines of the UN Security Council session, which he delivered on behalf of the Syrian Negotiation Commission without consultation, as we explained previously, and in which he not only demanded a resolution under Chapter VII, but also called for a military intervention from outside the UN Security Council.

4 - In the discussions that preceded the issuance of the statement, our representatives in the Syrian Negotiation Commission demanded the Commission to take the objective reality into account, and not to acquit those factions - among the factions of the Ghouta - which refused to take out Al Nusra Front, and which the major battles is now taking place in their areas, and whose behavior toward the civilians cannot be described as other than an incarceration of the civilians as human shields, while the truce began to take its course in the parts of the Ghouta where Al Nusra Front has been took out.

5. All our attempts to objectively discuss, and talk about, the issue of Afrin have been rejected under the pretext that the Turkish aggressor is an “ally”.

Accordingly, on behalf of the Moscow Platform, and as members of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, we declare the following:

First, the legitimacy of the Commission is derived from UNSC Resolution 2254, as a negotiating commission, and not in any other capacity. Therefore, the Syrian Negotiation Commission, by its promotion of, or keeping silence on, a military action from outside the Security Council, and trying to act as a political entity, it fundamentally changes its function and makes it lose this legitimacy.

Secondly, this leads us to break with this behavior, in which the Commission has established itself outside the negotiating process and outside of the political solution.

Thirdly, the boycott does not in any way mean withdrawing from the Syrian Negotiation Commission, but rather means that we will work to restore its role as a negotiating commission through the sober forces in the opposition, which work for a solution on the basis of the UNSC resolution 2254.

Fourth, we will immediately inform the United Nations of the new situation and ask them to take the necessary action.

16 March 2018