Speech
Khaled Khoja
President of the Syrian National Coalition
January 18, 2015
Dear Syrian brothers:
I extend my greetings to you over every nation and under every star.
I extend my greetings to Syria, its men, women, homes, the elderly and children.
I extend my greetings to the fighters in the trenches of heroism and honor on all fronts.
I extend my greetings to our people and brothers who are remaining steadfast in the besieged areas, who are suffering from the regime’s brutality, harsh conditions and the inaction of friends and allies.
I extend my greetings to our people in the liberated areas, who are reeling under aerial bombardment and barrel bombing. In Daraa, Quneitra, Ghout, Qalamoun, Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Idlib, they have created a new life out of nothing, and have proven the genius of Syrians and their ability to create and their determination to win.
I extend my greetings to our people remaining steadfast in the areas ruled by the terrorist gang ISIS, in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor, and who have shown unshakeable faith in freedom and dignity, and are waiting for the day of salvation.
I extend my greetings to the refugees in camps, who are suffering harsh life conditions, rigors of nature, and the inaction of sister nations and the betrayal of the international community, and also to Syrian expatriates and asylum seekers who have not forgotten their people and their homeland and will never forget.
I extend my greetings to the souls of the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for freedom, and we pray for a speedy recovery to the wounded and injured.
Dear Syrians, we in the Syrian Coalition are embarking on new phase, fully aware of the weight of the burden placed on us and of the size of the expectations held by the revolutionary and opposition forces who are waiting to see a big leap forward.
We promise to do our best and not to shirk the responsibility assigned to us, and we are determined to do so, provided that you give us your support and trust. We are also aware of the need for greater integration between you and the Syrian Coalition to make it an all-inclusive national institution around which all of us must rally and support.
I promise that the next stage will be new in every sense, set by you, guided by your vision, designed to achieve your aspirations, one that accepts what you accept, and refuses what you refuse to accomplish the revolutions’ first slogan “The People Want.”
O Syrians:
I testify to you and tell the whole world on your behalf:
The oppression and criminality that has long perched on the chest of Damascus, choking its jasmines, will come to an end just like how despotic regimes were toppled before it. Assad’s importing of foreign sectarian gangs and hiring mercenaries from everywhere in the world to kill our people is an unmistakable sign that he is gasping for breath.
We will not allow the regime’s life be prolonged or it be reproduced under any slogan or pretext, otherwise it will go on with the killing of our people.
Our homeland will be spared destruction only through ridding Assad’s oppressive regime, and no political solution will materialize if it does not lead to the departure of the head of the regime and his thuggish cronies.
We will not allow the goals of the revolution to be circumvented by any initiative for negations, which we see as a means to an end, namely to bring about real and full transition of power in Syria.
Our revolutionary and national project aimed at building a modern civil state, based on equity, justice and pluralism, under constitutional life and the rule of law, and for which heroic sacrifices have been made, will only materialize by our own efforts.
Therefore, I call on all revolutionary factions to unify and close ranks, and coordinate with the interim Ministry of Defense as a first step towards establishing a Syrian national army. I also call upon all rebel fighters to stay away from extremism and to adhere to moderation which has always characterized the Syrian national identity. I also appeal to every Syrian for the support we need to regain the initiative and face the upcoming relief, political and military challenges and needs. We assure you that the Syrian Coalition will remain open to constructive criticism that aims to correct the mistakes and encourage consultation.
Dear brothers in the Jabal al-Arab, Mount al-Sheikh, Salamiya Masyaf, Tartus and Latakia:
Dear Christians and Muslims of all sects and creeds,
Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen and Assyrians,
Assyrians, Circassians, Armenians,
All Syrians:
Change Syria is well underway, and you, the ancestors of the fallen heroes who gave their lives for Syria’s independence, are the only ones capable of bringing about this change. Today your sons are giving their lives to regain their freedom. The homeland is calling on you in order to rebuild it and make it prosperous. We are determined not to let the murderous regime sow fear and hatred among the components of the people. No bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden, and no one should be apprehensive of the future of Syria except the criminals themselves.
I say to those whose will was robbed by the Assad regime which deluded them into believing that it is their savior and recruited some of them to fight alongside it, but found themselves dying for murderers: Isn’t it time to wake up?! We assure you the Assad’s murderous regime will not have any future in Syria, and your future lies only with the revolution and among us.
Dear Syrians,
Our religion has taught us that he who does not thank people does not thank God. On your behalf, I would like to gratefully thank whoever gave us a helping hand or with a favor, whether they are organizations, individuals, governments or leaders.
I extend special thanks to the people and governments of Syria’s neighboring countries for bearing the burden of hosting millions of Syrians who were forced to flee their homes.
My brothers in Syria: Victory is but one more hour of patient perseverance.
Victory will be on the side of a revolution that has proved it is unbeatable.
Peace, mercy and blessings of God.
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