The Assad Regime Renounces the Very Basis for Geneva II

Press Statement

The Syrian Coalition

President Office

Istanbul, Turkey

November 28, 2013

The Assad regime has announced its willingness to attend the Geneva II conference in January 22, 2014, but declared its unwillingness ‘to hand over power to a transitional governing body’. This announcement, in addition to previous statements by regime’s officials, makes clear the regime’s true intentions of not wanting a political solution in Syria. It has become evident that the Assad regime is trying to cover its war on the Syrian people, whilst maintaining a pretense of co-operation with the international community.

The regime continues to deny the popular demands of ending its rule of tyranny and injustice and to ignore the legitimate aspirations of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Furthermore, the delusional regime claims to be the victim of a conspiracy, and is still refusing to acknowledge the true aim of the Geneva conference which is the transition from a dictatorship toward democracy.

The Syrian Coalition reiterates its commitment to participate in any and all political processes that might achieve the Syrian people's aspirations for democracy and freedom.

The Syrian Coalition aims to attend the Geneva conference and remains fully committed to the United Nations Security Council Resolution No.2118, the London Communiqué of October 22nd, the Arab League Resolution of November 4th, and the UN Secretary General’s announcement on November 25th of the Geneva II conference.

The regime continues to oppose the will of the international community and renounce objectives of the Geneva conference, and strangely enough its latest statement talks about fighting terrorism as the sole objective of the conference.

It is crucial to remind the international community that the regime has encouraged and indeed brought terrorism into the country. It fueled sectarian division, and most importantly it has deliberately destabilized and threatened the security of the region.

The regime continues to lay sieges on different towns and cities starving the Syrian people to death, primarily targeting the most vulnerable classes of society, women and children. It continues to hold political prisoners without trial.

It is imperative for the success of the Geneva conference, that relief convoys, including the Red Cross and the Red Crescent and other international relief agencies, have immediate access to all besieged areas - while all political prisoners, specifically women and children, are released immediately.

The Syrian Coalition has resolved “to participate in a Geneva conference based on the transfer of power to a transitional governing body," at its General Assembly on November 10th.

The Syrian Coalition believes that this transitional body “should have full executive powers including presidential powers with control over military and security apparatus.” Furthermore, Assad and those associated with him will have no role in the transitional period and future Syria.

We ask for Mercy for our martyrs, health for our wounded, and freedom for our detainees.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.