Mr. Abdel Halim Khaddam’s message to Syrians about the Geneva conference
Dear fellow citizens, the two major countries, the United States and Russia, have agreed to hold a conference in Geneva to find a negotiated solution to the bloody crisis in Syria. The two countries have overcome the heavy bloodshed in Syria caused by the brutal aggression of the tyrant regime led by the serial killer Bashar Al-Assad.
Moscow has announced that it will not allow opposition forces to play a leading role in Syria. The US Secretary of State has also announced that the conference may lead to a mutually negotiated solution between the regime and the opposition. However, the two countries have ignored the goals of the Syrian people, which include liberating Syria, overthrowing the regime, and holding accountable the killers who have committed crimes of murder, extermination, and humiliation.
The participation of the National Coalition or any Syrian party in the name of the opposition will have serious consequences that will further complicate the situation in Syria. Any participation that goes beyond the goals of the revolution, which aim to bring about change and establish a democratic civil state with equal rights and duties for all citizens, is extremely dangerous. Moreover, opposition parties wishing to participate in the conference must understand that they will not be able to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people, as the sponsoring states have decided not to overthrow the regime but to involve some opponents in the government.
The tyrant Bashar Al-Assad is holding onto power, and even if he is forced to leave, he will remain involved in political affairs. He will utilize the armed forces, security services, and loyalists to manipulate any situation that arises from the Geneva conference. We hope that the participating opponents in the Geneva conference will realize that they are contributing to creating a highly dangerous situation in the country. The overwhelming majority of Syrians, whether civilians or members of armed organizations, along with the Free Army, will not allow this international game to succeed and will not allow a second calamity after the Palestinian catastrophe.
I appeal to all our brothers in the opposition to work towards holding a comprehensive national conference involving all Syrian opposition parties. This conference should be committed to working towards overthrowing the regime, uniting forces and efforts, and establishing a unified goal based on saving Syria, protecting its people, bringing down the deadly authoritarian regime, and building a government based on the will of the people.
At a time when the regime is waging war against the Syrian people, united with its military forces and supporters, it is crucial for the opposition working to overthrow the regime to come together and not be weakened by divisions and discrimination. I pray that God will guide us on the right path and help us save the unity of our country and our people.
Abdel Halim Khaddam