Dear fellow citizens,
The United States and Russia have agreed to hold a conference in Geneva to find a negotiated solution to the crisis in Syria. Despite the heavy bloodshed that has been inflicted upon the Syrian people by the brutal aggression of the Bashar Al-Assad regime, the two countries have decided to come together and work towards a mutually negotiated solution.
However, it is important to note that the goals of the Syrian people to liberate, overthrow the regime, and hold accountable those who have committed crimes must not be ignored. The participation of any Syrian party in the name of the opposition must be carefully considered as it may lead to serious consequences and an increase in the complexity of the situation in Syria. Any participation that goes beyond the goals of the revolution and the struggle for change and building a democratic civil state in which citizens have equal rights and duties is extremely dangerous.
We must also be realistic about the outcome of the conference. The two countries sponsoring the conference have decided not to overthrow the regime but rather involve some opponents in the government. The tyrant Bashar Al-Assad is unlikely to give up power and may use his armed forces, security services, and loyalists in the state to change any situation resulting from the conference.
I urge all our brothers in the opposition to work towards holding a comprehensive national conference for all parties committed to overthrowing the regime, to unite forces and efforts, and to unify the goal on the basis of saving Syria, protecting its people, bringing down the deadly authoritarian regime, and building an authority from the people.
We must remember that while the regime is fighting the Syrian people united by its military forces and supporters, the opposition that is working to overthrow the regime is still scattered and discrimination weakens it rather than strengthens it. Let us come together and work towards a brighter future for Syria and its people.
May God guide us on the right path to save the unity of our country and the unity of our people.
Abdel Halim Khaddam
27\11\2013
