Shaaban: There can be no discussion of any political course while terrorism ravages Syria

Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban stressed that no discussion of a true political course can be realistic at a time when terrorism is ravaging Syria.

In statements to journalists on Tuesday, Shaaban said that the Syrian official delegation has no qualms about reaching an agenda for talks as long as counterterrorism comes first and transitional government second.

She said that the Syrian official delegation is operating in a constructive and positive manner in an attempt to put an end to the terrorism affecting the Syrian people, while the coalition delegation refused to even acknowledge that there is terrorism in Syria.

“What can we name what happened in Maan in Hama? Who killed the women and children and the elderly? Who commits massacres against the Syrian people?” Shaaban asked.

In response to claims by the coalition delegation that a transitional government will be able to stop terrorism, Shaaban said that if they think than any government can stop terrorism, then let them tell us how, and that if there is a force in the world that can do so, why isn’t it doing it now?

She stressed that the other side only wants to talk about a transitional government in order to take power, and that their main driving force isn’t the Syrian people or stopping bloodshed, while the primary concern of the Syrian government’s delegation is stemming the bloodshed then launching a political process leading to a transitional government.

“The allegations of some people like Michel Kilo that a transitional government can fight terrorism means that they’re linked to terrorism and to the flow of arms into Syria and that they approve of this until they become part of the government, and this is a grave problem because it means that they encourage terrorism so that they can take a place in the Syrian government and will not agree to stop terrorism until the transitional government is formed, and this is a dangerous thing,” she said.

Shaaban pointed out that the difference between the official delegation and the coalition delegation isn’t about their priorities, but rather the priorities of the Syrian people who want terrorism to end, asserting that as soon as the issue of terrorism is dealt with and principles for stopping the arming, funding and flow of terrorism are reached, the official delegation will have no problem with discussing the transitional government or any other item of the Geneva communiqué.

She voiced hope that the US-Russian agreement will result in practical steps to stopping violence and terrorism, noting that previous experiences with the US in this regard aren’t encouraging, as when the first round of talks was taking place, the US announced it will continue arming and funding terrorists in Syria, therefore there is problem with the US credibility and the difference between what they say and what they do.

Shaaban also hoped that the US has reached the conclusion that takfiri Wahabi terrorism must be stopped in Syria, noting that UN Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi can impose certain things, but he can’t impose more than what he is imposing currently.

Shaaban stressed that the coalition delegation does not have independent decision or will and they seem to be not aware about what is going on in Syria and about the suffering of the Syrian people, adding that everything the coalition delegation is doing is prompted by the US, France, Britain and Saudi Arabia.

She pointed out that the coalition delegation is not concerned about the suffering of the Syrian people and they are presenting proposals that violate the spirit of Geneva 1 Communique which starts with combating violence and terrorism , noting that the coalition delegation is talking about “parallel track” that is the transitional government and combating terrorism at the same time which is not consistent with Geneva 1 Communique.

Shaaban reiterated the necessity of the international and regional sides’ will to reach agreement because what is happening in Syria is a part of a scheme against the entire region.

She said that those who stand behind the coalition want some of their allies to reach to the authority and they want these groups which are implementing foreign agendas to have a voice in Syria.

Shaaban expressed belief that the international backers of the opposition have now become aware about the danger of terrorism which is in part linked to some of the backers, adding that some countries which call themselves “Arab countries” and the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey are funding and arming terrorism.

She warned those who are supporting terrorism that what they are doing will lead in the long term to expanding the danger of terrorism to reach their countries, noting that those want to destroy the institutions of the Syrian state.

Shaaban refuted the possibility that the Syrian official delegation and the coalition delegation would join the troika meeting comprising Russia, the US and the UN, saying, “The Syrian government decided that dialogue should be among the Syrians under the supervision of the UN with no interference from other sides.”