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The Consequence of extremism and stubbornness
The invitation of Moscow and Cairo Platforms [of Syrian opposition] to Riyadh to discuss the formation of one delegation of the Syrian opposition was a new step in securing the necessary elements for the completion of the political process. Regardless of the preliminary results of the meeting and the sharp disagreement that emerged between the platforms on the principles of forming the one delegation. The invitation itself – in its timing, and despite the advance and repeated announcement of the Moscow platform that Riyadh is not the most appropriate place for the meeting – reveals that the new international and regional climate imposes its rhythm on the Syrian scene, and primarily on the political process.
On the other hand, the invitation came as a confession by the Riyadh platform, that the lie of “the legitimate and sole representative” no longer fools anyone, and that the attempts of denial and exclusion brought only more embarrassment, and that the arrogance derived from international support became obsolete, and that a compatibility with other platforms is a must. But at the same time, the hard-line forces at this platform, as shown during the meeting in Riyadh, still wish to circumvent the political process. But their wish will not realize, and the fate of such an attempt will not be better than the fate of previous attempts of denial and exclusion, which brought nothing but more embarrassment to the “Coalition” [for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces], in all its structures, and this is for the simple reason that the factor which pushed Riyadh platform to insist on holding the meeting, i.e. the new balance of international forces and the Russian effectiveness; is such a factor of a sufficient momentum and instrumentality enough to reach a political solution that will rescue Syria.
The insistence on preconditions; the unilateral interpretation of UN Resolution 2254 by the Riyadh militants; and the failed attempt to blame the Moscow platform for the failure of reaching a consensus, are no longer consistent with the apparent flexibility, the tangible retreat and the adjustment to the new international balance by all the allies of the Riyadh Platform, from Washington to Paris, through Riyadh, and Ankara. The insistence of the hardliners of this platform on holding their position, does not only contravene the interests of Syria and the Syrians, and violate international resolutions, but will also make them a burden on their international allies and on the new positions of those allies.
This will obligate the Riyadh Platform to choose out of three options: either to comply with the international will and engage in the political process and formation of the one delegation [of opposition] on a consensual basis; or to reconstruct the “coalition” in a way that removes the hardline forces from the scene, and comply to political realism; or to bear the consequences of intransigence, and to rule out their selves from political life, which is narrowing day by day to anyone who begs himself to continue to tamper with the fate of the Syrian people, who are suffering the crisis with its daily costs of blood, destruction and ambiguous fate, overshadowing even the most basic requirements of daily life of Syrians inside and outside the country, and impeding their legitimate rights of comprehensive radical national democratic change, as well as the fact that the continuation of this crisis is a threat to regional and international security as a whole.
Kassioun Editorial, Issue No 825, August 26, 2017.
