Former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam has directed a message to the Syrian opposition, urging them to boycott the ‘Geneva 2’ conference, stating that their participation would result in “serious consequences.” He accused Russia and the United States of colluding to maintain the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Khaddam also warned that the armed groups and the Free Syrian Army “will not allow a Syrian catastrophe after the Palestinian catastrophe.”
Khaddam, who defected from the regime in late 2005 following months after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, said, “The two major powers, the United States and Russia, agreed to hold a conference in Geneva to find a negotiated solution to the bloody crisis in Syria. They have overlooked the extensive bloodshed caused by the brutal aggression of a despotic regime led by the butcher Bashar al-Assad.”
He continued by stating that the United States and Russia, by not insisting on Assad’s removal, have “ignored the goals of the Syrian people for liberation, toppling the regime, and holding the killers accountable.” He added, “The participation of the National Coalition or any Syrian party under the banner of the opposition will lead to serious consequences that will further complicate the situation… The opposition factions must understand that they will not be able to achieve the aspirations of the Syrians because the two sponsoring states of the conference are not seeking the overthrow of the regime, but rather the participation of some opposition members.”
Khaddam believed that Assad continues to cling to power and will use the armed forces, security apparatus, and his loyalists in the state to manipulate any outcome of the Geneva conference. He hoped that some opposition members participating in the Geneva conference would realize that they are contributing to a highly dangerous situation in the country. He emphasized that the overwhelming majority of Syrians, whether civilians or armed groups, along with the Free Syrian Army, will not allow this international game to pass and will not allow a second catastrophe after the Palestinian catastrophe.
Khaddam called upon the opposition forces to convene a conference to unify their efforts under the basis of “saving Syria, protecting its people, and toppling the murderous despotic regime.” He noted that while the government forces are united in their fight against the opposition, the latter’s efforts remain scattered.”