Syrian Coalition: We Would Attend Geneva III If Russia Changed Its Stance

Louay Safi, spokesman for the Syrian Coalition, said that if Lakhdar Brahimi managed to convince U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Wendy Chairman to put pressure on Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Bogdanov to change the Russian position towards the Syrian crisis, then we can consider the resumption of negotiations with the Assad regime. “However, the Russians must change their stance and help end the suffering of the Syrian people and achieve their goals in freedom and dignity.” Safi’s remarks came in response to reports about the intention of the joint international and Arab envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to hold a trilateral meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Wendy Chairman and Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Geneva on April 10th to discuss the prospects of holding Geneva III conference in a final attempt from Brahimi before submitting his resignation. Safi also said that the Russians must take a clear position that includes ratcheting up pressure on the Assad regime to agree to a political solution and lifting the shield used by Russia to protect the Assad regime in the UN Security Council. “When we hear a clear statement from the Russians that prove their insistence on reaching a political solution, then we can discuss the participation in future peace talks in the meetings of the political committee. But it is unlikely that Russia change its position, based on the history of the Russian position towards the Syrian Revolution that has not changed in more than three years.” Moreover, Safi stresses that “the Assad regime must re-engage in peace talks to bring about a political solution, especially with the increasing risk of the violence spillover to Lebanon after intervention of the terrorist militias of Hezbollah on the side of the Assad regime.” It is important to note that Brahimi has already stated that the delegation of the Assad regime in Geneva II declined discussion of Geneva II declaration and the formation of the transitional governing body, but it sought to exploit the conference as a media politician outlet and to talk to the international media and not to engage in negotiations with the Syrian Coalition. The Assad regime is still betting on decisive military victory, especially in central Syria and the suburbs of Damascus, and not on a political solution.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)