MSDThe Syrian National Assembly announced, through a press conference, on June 17 in the Austrian capital, Vienna, that it had joined the Syrian Democratic Council( SDC), after completing several meetings and understandings during the previous phase.
The president of the Syrian National Assembly, Mohammad Bermo, says that the decision to join the Syrian Democratic Council is a step towards a political transition, work for a democratic civil state and to encourage dialogue among among Syrian components.
In a private dialogue with the media office of the Syrian Democratic Council, the President of the Syrian National Assembly, Mohammad Bermo, highlights several questions and clarifies the assembly position on issues and files related to the Syrian crisis.
The text of the interview :
Q-The name of the Syrian National Society has appeared on the Syrian political map. Is there any clarification of the role, priorities and project of this assembly?
A-The role of the assembly is not new on the Syrian scene, but rather dates back to the twelfth of November of 2012, when it emerged for the first time in Madrid in the presence of European diplomats and remarkable media attention. The assembly is a national political, social and inclusive body whose primary pillar has been the members of Cordoba working group who have pledged to defend the people’s revolution for freedom and dignity.
Q-What about the political project and the priorities of the assembly?
A-The Syrian National Assembly stresses on all occasions related to the Syrian issue, the importance of the political solution that the Syrians demanded and endorsed by Geneva Statement 1 of 2012 which leads to overthrowing of this authoritarian regime, building a civil, democratic and pluralistic state within the framework of a national charter, and a modern constitution that recognizes the rights of all components of Syrian people according to international conventions and norms and respects their national, religious and cultural particularities, as well as fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people in choosing their legislative and executive powers, the rule of law and independence of judiciary.
The assembly attaches to the role of women a real, not cosmetic, importance, as it believes in the necessity of consolidating the role of youth and women in building Syria and enabling them to participate in political decision-making in line with the principles of equality and true participation for all.
Q-What is the importance of the Syrian National Assembly joining the Syrian Democratic Council in these circumstances?
A-The principle of the Syrian National Assembly is dialogue and open-mindedness with all Syrian political parties, and it believes in dialogue in order to achieve a secular democratic state. Accordingly, the dialogue and understandings were with SDC over years , then we moved to the stage of joining and alliance, for the sake of political transition and work for democratic civil state, and encouragement of dialogue among other Syrian components … especially in light of the turmoil by the regime. This imposes on Syrians to unite and understand on general political action lines in the next stage.
Q-After this alliance .. tell us about the next steps?
A-The next stage is the stage of field and work on the ground, after we have accomplished this alliance, it must be established on the ground. The assembly tends to open several offices inside the Syrian interior (self-administration areas), in order to seek direct contact with the Syrian reality, this confirms our tendency to work from inside, which is an advanced step in political action. Throughout past years, the work was from outside. Now, however, progress must be made towards practical steps in order to promote real political partnership on the ground.
Q-After this alliance, there are approximately 29% of the area of Syria that you are working on … Do you have Arab support ?
The geopolitical reality of Syria and geographical indications indicate the importance of Arab depth as well as the importance of geographical neighborhood. Accordingly, the relations with Arab countries enable the Syrians to build their state and consolidate stability, as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt are countries participating in the coalition against the terrorist organization ISIS. In addition to that, they are countries that work for the unity of the Syrian lands, and this was at the heart of the alliance statement with SDC. Therefore, there are intersections with Arab countries in this matter. We are working to communicate with all Arab countries for the benefit of the Syrians, and our presence, as I mentioned on an area of approximately 29 % will contribute to activating the role of opposition institutions in cooperation with all active countries.
Q-You have recently followed the Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue, and what appeared to be local Arab protests against this dialogue .. How do you see this?
A-Since the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, launched the Kurdish Dialogue Initiative, we have been supporters of this initiative because of its importance in bringing views closer. The Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue, is definitely a first step to expand the circle of dialogue with all political and social components in Northeastern Syria. Thus the Arab tribal factor will be at the center of upcoming dialogues.
Q-Will you play a role in the future with the rapprochement between Arab and Kurdish components?
A-We in the National Assembly do everything that enhances the interests of the Syrian people. Thus, the dialogues among the components is one of our most important goals in order to formulate a very close vision . The presence of the Assembly in the regions of Northeastern Syria will have a role in expanding the circle of understandings and rapprochement among the components of Syrian people .
Q-The devil is said to lie in details. Have you talked with SDC about the form and how to manage the area?
A-We are in an alliance situation now, and this alliance was the result of lengthy consultations and careful study, we hope that it will be a model for the Syrian situation. In the statement of the declaration of the alliance, many details were agreed upon, including the unity of Syria , achievement of democratization, and working on a decentralized, pluralistic, democratic system that respects the rights of individuals nationalities, religions and sections. And I want to say, that the success of the self-administration project will be reflected on all Syrians, and that will be the nucleus of an inclusive national project.
Q-How do you see the solution in Syria?
A-The unity of the Syrian ranks at all levels is a necessary introduction to the solution in Syria, and working alongside the entire Syrian political components is the path that leads to a political solution. We must not forget that the Syrian crisis today is in the custody of major countries and there are Security Council resolutions in this regard, foremost among them is Resolution 2254, but the Syrians have a great responsibility to unify their position through political dialogue.
The National Assembly is an inclusive national political, social body whose primary pillar has been the members of Cordoba working group, whose goal is to work to reach a political solution and build a pluralistic democratic civil state within the framework of a national charter, and a modern constitution that recognizes the rights of all components of the Syrian people according to international conventions and norms and respects their national, religious privacy and culture, it realizes the aspirations of the Syrian people to choose their legislative and executive powers, the rule of law and independence of judiciary.
