Syria needs a peaceful, pluralistic, moderate future

The Inquirer

Ribal Al-Assad is an international campaigner for democracy and heads the Organisation for Democracy and Freedom in Syria, an independent body. Ribal, a cousin of Syrian president Bashar al Assad and exiled in London, was recently in New Delhi to deliver lectures on the current situation in Syria. He spoke to B S Arun of Deccan Herald.

Excerpts:

How do you see India’s position on Syria, particularly after New Delhi’s recent voting in favour of the resolution supported by the west in the Security Council to back the Arab League efforts to resolve the crisis?

India knew that China and Russia would veto the resolution, still they went with the majority. India made a statement that it is  against military intervention. It is a message for the Syrian government. India is important to Syria because it is neutral, it is the largest democracy. It can play a very big role for peaceful transition in Syria. India should be more direct.

For no one will blame India because of its standing. Everyone knows India is neutral and democratic, has good intentions. India is a golden example for those of us who shine a light to democracy. You have made it work in a country that is not just huge and ethnically diverse, but one that has sectarian issues of its own.

Do resolutions like this one really resolve problems in Syria?

As the UN fails once more to agree to a resolution on Syria, my country hangs on the precipice of war. And not just a civil war but a regional war, armed and funded by countries across the region and backed by vested interests across the world. Any analysis of the situation in my country requires an understanding of the ever-growing tide of Islamic extremism.

Syria is squashed geographically and ideologically between the imperialist inclinations of Iran (from where Tehran and Hizbullah back the current regime in Damascus), and its opponents across the region, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Sitting back from this hotbed of international relations, are the world’s superpowers: China, Russia, and the United States, which has delegated its responsibilities to Turkey.

A toxic mix of a sectarian divide within the country and an opposition whose first instinct is to propagate that divide has created a situation where state-sponsored fundamentalists from neighbouring states continue to pour into the country with loaded guns. As a  result, Syria is on a course to become the battleground for a regional war, pitching Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, with tacit support from  Russia and China, against Nato-backed Turkey and its allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Assad regime’s inevitable departure will not be the end. It will actually be the beginning of something equally frightening if not handled the right way.

As the UN fails once more to agree on a resolution on Syria, my country hangs on the precipice of war. And not just a civil war but a regional war, armed and funded by countries across the region and backed by vested interests across the world.

What is the role played by the Arab League? Is it helping the situation turn any better?

Without unity of opposition in Syria, it is going nowhere. Arab League is not playing a positive role. It decided to send observers to Syria but did nothing after that. It is not working for an all-inclusive government. Syria is fast becoming a pawn in this  enormous game of diplomatic chess.

You share the concerns of many in India that ‘Arab Spring’ could result in Islamists coming to power across the region. How real is this fear? Why shouldn’t the supporters of democracy welcome the rise of political Islam in the region?

Of course, that possibility cannot be ruled out. Iran is ambitious and wants to gain hegemony over the Middle-East but is very sectarian. Minorities in Syria comprise about 50 per cent and most may want regime change but don’t want theocracy. What happened in many countries may happen in Syria, of religious fanatics taking over.

Basher is stronger now than he was 11 months ago. Right now there is no alternative because the opposition in not united. First the secret service and then the army intervened to control the situation.

Some in India feel that Syria is going the Afghanistan way. What is your view?

Yes, it is heading that way. Right now, the administration has full support of Russia. Sectarian violence has to stop. Those who are aiming for power in Syria have a distorted ideology. It will be a danger to India too. Anybody who is against their ideology is considered infidel, they have to be killed.

Is military intervention still a possibility?

A military solution would be a disaster for my country. The only answer is a change not just of our regime but of our entire political process. Which is why Hillary Clinton’s strong words on the Russian and Chinese veto need to be analysed carefully. But she also spoke about a ‘democratic future’ for Syria.

And although I am sure we all agree that the regime’s behaviour is outrageous, we must do everything we can to ensure a peaceful, pluralistic and moderate future. You understand that there are no magic solutions, and that there are many long and painful steps on the road to democracy. Syria had a difficult recent past. It also has another side – more liberal and progressive. And that is an heritage of which I am incredibly proud.