Afro Asian Business Chronicle

As the world watches the play of political passions on Syrian territory, the country's leadership makes brave efforts to contain the revolt. In an exclusive interview to Renu Malhotra, Editor-in-Chief of Afro Asian Business Chronicle, Ambassador of Syria to India H.E. Dr Riad Abbas dispels the 'popular notion' and asserts that President Bashar  Al-Assad enjoys the full faith and support of the Syrian people. Edited Excerpts:

The Libyan leader is captured, the country faces leadership crisis. What is the impact of this development on Syria? Does it send a warning to President Assad?

What happened and is happening in Libya is an internal affair of that country. That has nothing to do with Syria, and we wish the people of Libya stability, unity and prosperity. Such kind of warnings, have no significance in Syria to a President who enjoys the support of his people. The people of Syria understand the game plan of the US and NATO against Syria and rally behind him to face the grave external challenges.  The pro-government demonstrations taking place in Syria are proof of the unity of Syrian people and putting their faith in their elected leader.

As far as Libyan crisis is concerned, throughout history there is no positive experience of any external interference in a country. External interferences are not at all in the interest of the people of the country and they are always in the interest of the invaders. The position of Syria since the beginning was in favour of non-interference in the affairs of Libya.

What is the real situation in Syria now?

Syria is facing armed terrorist groups that are seeking to destabilise the country and targeting its security and stability. They are receiving support and funding from similar organisations in the neighbouring countries. In Syria and across her borders, we are suffering from the infiltration of elements of al-Qaeda and the Salafists armed and trained with a mission to destroy Syria`s stability and security that has been prevailing for decades. One can note that all these groups have one origin back to al-Qaeda and everyone knows who created al-Qaeda and who supports and uses it. From the beginning, we knew which external hands are behind the destabilising efforts. The members of armed groups who were arrested have confessed about their support, arming and funding.  Some have also come from Islamic associations in the Gulf countries, Europe, and from arms and drug smugglers in the border areas of Syria. The government has its duty to implement law and order to protect civilians as any government in the world that does not accept the existence of armed groups on its territory, would do.

There appears to be no end to the agitation/upheaval. Using force against protestors seems to be no solution. The country is suffering. Comment.

I have not heard about the existence of chaos which you mentioned in Syria, and there is also no revolution there.  Recently, a media and academic Indian delegation went there to see the real situation in Syria. They have not seen anything that biased channels broadcasting about on Syria. The people of Syria are paying the price for what external forces are trying to achieve. Many innocent citizens and security personnel lost their lives at the hand of armed perpetrators and we have enough evidence to prove that from the confession of many criminals who admitted shooting at security and demonstrators and implicate the government in their crimes. President Bashar Al-Assad responded to most of the demands for uplifting the socioeconomic situation and improving the life standard of Syrian people and those genuine demands are a part of daily life of any society. What we are trying now is to bring back life to normalcy so that the Syrian people can enjoy their life once again and prosper.

The present Syrian government had gained immense respect and popularity for the economic stride. But now Assad government's image is bruised due to poor economic condition.

The image of Government is distorted only in the biased channels. In fact, you said it yourself the popular government of Syria enjoys the support of the masses. It has been on the right track to implement the policy laid down by H.E. the President based on improvement, modernisation and development. These are the themes that brought President Assad to power and has been fulfilling duties ever since. But when the vested interest and politically bankrupted had nothing against the President, they instigated the demonstrators and instructed the armed and trained perpetrators to kill innocents to worsen the situation and threw the country in upheaval. We will get over it and revive our economy and enhance the reforms as per our plans.  We are holding an economic dialogue with the participation of the Syrian economic players to discuss the economic situation and ways to develop and address the economic sanctions that negatively target and affect the livelihood of Syrian citizens.

Turkey had developed close ties with Assad's regime over the past decade but has expressed growing frustration with the president's failure to address popular demands for reform. It has also hosted the opposition leaders of Syria. Please comment.

We share a long border with Turkey and we want cordial relations with our neighbour. Syria has established strategic relations with Turkey in many areas, but Syria does not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs in the same way we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. This is the standard on the basis of which we assess relations with the neighbouring countries. Our position is well known and as our foreign minister said, "who throw a flower at us we throw the same."

While the international community had been mounting pressure on Syria for restoring normalcy, the saving grace for your country was the defeat of the UN resolution condemning your country.

The campaign by certain countries to mount international pressure on Syria has failed at many fronts and exposed their real intentions. The colonial powers represented by the United States and the Western countries, which put pressure on Syria do not represent the entire international community. However, the BRICS group including Russia, China, India, Brazil and South Africa stand by Syria, as well as Latin American countries. The veto by Russia and China in the Security Council prevents the Western countries from intervening in the internal affairs of Syria, and gives Syria an opportunity for the implementation of the adopted reforms without external pressure.  With regard to the demand of Western countries from Syria to carry out reforms and democracy, I wish that they would claim so for the Palestinian people right on their land. 

India had abstained from voting on the UN resolution condemning Syria. Please comment.

In the case of India, we highly appreciate India`s fair stand and understanding of the real situation in Syria. India is an important country and has a significant role to play in the international arena and because of her adherence to its principles and values it gained respect from the people around the world by pursuant of non-interference policy in the internal affairs of other countries.  India is a friendly country to Syria. We enjoy historic ties and it is aware of the present ground reality in Syria and its position was clearly explained in the statement of its permanent representative in the UN Security Council.

What firm measures your government is taking to restore normalcy?

President Bashar al-Assad, has presented a program of reform and development that was hindered by regional and global factors during the past decade. The Syrian government has begun to implement a comprehensive reforms program that will meet the aspirations of Syrian people. Certain and significant measures already implemented  include lifting  the state of emergency and the formation of new political parties, forming a committee to put new draft for constitution and holding free parliament and local administration elections in addition to a law for freedom of information. President Bashar al-Assad has identified a timetable for the reforms and the preparations for a comprehensive national dialogue conference are under way, which will embrace all the components of the Syrian people and the national opposition.

What is your stand on the exchange of Israel/Palestine prisoners?

Any procedure that leads to freeing prisoners from Israeli jails is welcome development in Syria which considers the Palestinian issue as the Arabs' central issue. We would like to see all prisoners freed, an establishment of an independent Palestinian state with sovereign border, end of  Israel occupation and return of all the occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan to achieve a comprehensive peace in the region based on the UNSC resolutions and aspiration of the Arab people and in particular of the region. Syria still pays the price for its rational position in support of this issue.