{"id":7065,"date":"2012-03-29T07:27:00","date_gmt":"2012-03-29T07:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/?p=7065"},"modified":"2025-09-05T13:28:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:28:44","slug":"london-ribal-al-assad-calls-for-a-peaceful-inclusive-transition-to-democracy-in-syria-in-speech-to-the-international-forum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/london-ribal-al-assad-calls-for-a-peaceful-inclusive-transition-to-democracy-in-syria-in-speech-to-the-international-forum\/","title":{"rendered":"London: Ribal Al-Assad calls for a peaceful inclusive transition to democracy in Syria in speech to the International Forum"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ribal Al-Assad, the Director of the ODFS, this week called for a peaceful inclusive democratic transition in Syria in a speech to the International Forum, Hampstead, London. The packed audience included professionals, business people, analysts and journalists. The talk was well received and concluded with a comprehensive Q & A Session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ribal Al-Assad made the following speech:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good evening \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and thank you for that kind introduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I should start by addressing the issue of my surname.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will all be aware that being called \u2018Al Assad\u2019 is not currently the best way to win friends and influence people!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Particularly when you are related to the Syrian President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am sure you will be relieved to hear that is where the similarities end \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 as our politics have as little in common as our shopping habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can imagine, my name can be a hindrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Particularly in this country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it has also afforded me an unparalleled insight into events in Syria and the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it still opens doors for me to give what I hope will be a more balanced and objective view of events in my country than you may have read elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I currently live in exile in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also a mixed blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I miss the country I love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But being here leaves me free to criticise the Syrian regime without fear \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and to champion democratic reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also gives me a sense of perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because I closely follow events at Westminster \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and give or take a few pence in taxation \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 I see the major political parties here increasingly pushing into a relatively narrow, moderate middle ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which cannot be said for the Arab world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where vested interests are stretching political doctrines to the extremes \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 by trying to frame in the whole conflict on sectarian lines and thereby fueling sectarian conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having experienced both environments \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 I know which is healthier \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and which is more likely to lead to unimaginable grief and suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which is why my agenda is not as simple as the overthrow of a corrupt regime \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 or to condone the knee-jerk reaction to its violence – which tends to be support for the loudest and most extreme element of its opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My focus is democracy and pluralism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because I genuinely believe that they offer the last and only hope for a peaceful future for my country \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and those around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when I say \u2018democracy\u2019 \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 I mean \u2018real\u2019 and \u2018genuine\u2019 democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elections in which all parties are allowed to participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And not the sort that simply pay lip-service to pluralism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is, of course, all we can expect from the Syrian regime\u2019s recent promises of elections \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 which are token gestures \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 aimed at appeasing the United Nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I welcome Kofi Annan’s six point plan and it’s acceptance by the regime<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course the regime should now show through actions that it is implementing it<\/p>\n\n\n\n

because its past promises have not been delivered<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also the Syrian opposition should show through actions that they support the peace plan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will return to this later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than the recent distraction of the Presidential family\u2019s email inbox \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 the Western press understandably focuses on the terror perpetrated by the regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And understandably so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shelling of civilians \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 the shooting of protesters \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and the persecution of religious groups \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 is obscene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But its danger \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 is that if we only read about the violence \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 we may jump towards the wrong solution by supporting the wrong people<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This approach would be fatal to the chances of peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it is something that cannot be understood simply by looking within Syria\u2019s borders \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 because it requires an understanding of global international relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when it comes to global politics \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 we need to start with the Superpowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because we are witnessing the early stages of a new Cold War \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 facing Russia and China \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 against the United States and NATO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is evidenced in what China perceives to be a US policy of encirclement \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and in Chinese currency protectionism \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and in President Medvedev\u2019s warning on Friday that time is running out for the West to secure Russia’s agreement to a missile defense shield in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These issues continue to bubble \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and as with the Cold War of the last century \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 these superpowers hone in on the world\u2019s trouble spots \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 to fight their proxy battles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it will surprise none of you, that when it comes to trouble spots \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 there is nowhere quite like the Middle East and North Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many decades, the Arab Israeli conflict has been at the heart of regional politics \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but the nuclear stand-off with Iran notwithstanding \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 the most volatile issue right now \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 is the cross-border sectarian divide between Shiaas and Sunnis across the Arab World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This divide did not cause the Arab Spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it has been fundamental in ensuring the metamorphosis of the Spring\u2019s initial optimism \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 into chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The popular protests across Egypt, Libya and Tunisia \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 shared the common outcome of a deposed dictator \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but also the hijacking of the moderate and peaceful majority who sparked change \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 by more sinister and extreme forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, Islamists have entered the fold \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 backed by insidious elements in Saudi Arabia and Qatar \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and rather than free and transparent elections \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 we are witnessing nothing short of bedlam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a lesson that should have been learned from the toppling of Saddam Hussein\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 namely that it is one thing to displace a dictator \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but another to bring about a more stable and democratic replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if there is a country in the Middle East where this should be possible \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 it is a Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our people represent a mosaic of ethnicity \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and 45% of the population are classified as \u2018minorities\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thirty years ago \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 ours was a progressive society \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 with an admirable record on women\u2019s rights and cultural acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Syria now sits in the middle of a tug-of-war \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 with two extremes supported and funded by vested interests \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 pulling it apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And those interests are Iran on one side, supported by Russia and China \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 against Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar on the other …<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 with the implicit backing of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To maintain its strategic interests, Iran has spread its tentacles far and wide in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The survival of the regime in Damascus is in Tehran\u2019s interest \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so Iran will do everything in their power to \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

support to the Syrian regime<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This attempt to manipulate the Shiaa Arabs support to develop Iranian Imperial objectives \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 is happening in parallel with Turkish Imperial manipulation of Sunni Arabs support .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey is the growing player in the region \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 economically and politically \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and it has gathered a host of regional allies who share its enmity to Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes Saudi Arabia and Qatar \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 two influential power brokers in the in the Arab League \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 who are both breeding Islamic fundamentalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In line with its aim of widening the sectarian divide \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 Saudi has described as \u2018excellent\u2019 the idea of arming Syria’s rebels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qatar also has a recent history of empowering extreme Islamism in Libya and Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is \u2018real politic\u2019 in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi and Qatar have frosty relations historically \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but have come together to pursue a common cause .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 irrespective of the Regional consequences of arming elements of the oppositions on sectarian line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The region is bubbling towards something apocalyptic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State-sponsored television channels such as Safa and Wisal preach extremism\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 whilst clerics in Mosques openly call for Jihad against the Shiaas and Alawites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So as things stand, we are not just on the brink of a civil war \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but a regional war played out on Syrian soil \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 overseen and influenced by the world\u2019s Superpowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are parallels with events in 1980s Lebanon \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 when refugees, arms, and religiously inspired fighters crossed Middle Eastern borders\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 as they did after the start of the Iraq war in 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consequences will soon be felt across the Region..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as the petrodollars and arms for jihadists flood-in \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 Syria has the key elements to turn into a great-power proxy battleground on the scale of Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which brings me to the crux of the Syrian problem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That this tide of sectarian conflict \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 needs to be calmed-down by the opposition \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 not stirred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But one part of the Syrian opposition, the SNC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

which is still a non-representative movement \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 has helped transform the actions of moderate protestors seeking democratic reforms and chanting \u201cPeaceful, Peaceful, Peaceful\u201d …<\/p>\n\n\n\n

… and \u201cOne, one, one, the Syrian people are one\u201d\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 into a violent hub of extremism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, the New York-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 reported that armed opposition groups in Syria have kidnapped, tortured and executed members of the security forces and supporters of the Syrian regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is abhorrent \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 as it demonstrates that the opposition is no more democratic or moderate than the regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And they leave Syria\u2019s minorities and all secular people more fearful that the regime may be replaced by something worse<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed this is why the two largest cities Damascus and Aleppo have not risen against the regime<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SNC has admitted that it is largely made-up of Islamists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bayanuni \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 the former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 explained publicly that the relatively liberal Burhan Ghalioun was chosen to lead it, and I quote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cto prevent the regime from capitalizing on the presence of an Islamist at the top of the Syrian National Council. This man, he is different from us with respect to political thought and ideas”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SNC\u2019s ideas have moved dramatically in recent months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially it promoted non-violent struggle \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but it now has a military council to coordinate the violent overthrow of the regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially it claimed to work for a democratic Syria \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but it is funded by patently un-democratic regimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its duplicity knows no boundaries \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and it is no surprise that twenty of its most influential members recently broke away to form the Syrian Patriotic Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yet the West continues to offer its support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hillary Clinton has recognised the SNC as a legitimate representative of peaceful Syrians \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 despite warnings from U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 who described the opposition as fractured, \u201cnot a national movement\u201d \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and infiltrated by al Qaeda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the \u2018Friends of Syria\u2019 conference in Tunis failed \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 not least because many peaceful opposition groups including our own \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 were not invited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which was not for want of trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wrote to the organisers via the Embassy and the advisors to the President and Foreign Minister \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but received no reply, so we sent a delegation to Tunis …<\/p>\n\n\n\n

…that was banned from even approaching the conference site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So for the follow-up meeting in Turkey we have written to the Turkish government via its former Foreign Minister \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but in reply \u2013 just more silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is yet more evidence that there is no attempt to unite the opposition \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 unless you share the extremist outlook of the SNC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is vital that the West understands this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SNC is violent and unrepresentative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is backed by Islamist groups and states from around the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They, in turn, are benefitting from the US and Nato\u2019s policy of benign neglect in Syria \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 where responsibility is left with Turkey \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 despite its own partisan agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do not doubt the West\u2019s sincerity when it calls for an end to Syria\u2019s problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I said earlier I welcome the regime’s acceptance of Kofi Annan’s Six point plan \u201cto bring an end to all violence and human rights violations, secure humanitarian access and facilitate a Syrian-led political transition to a democratic, plural political system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I can guarantee that this will not happen under the auspices of the SNC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As democrats, we are entitled to ask why it was chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why it rose to prominence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From where it found its legitimacy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And how democratic was that process?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have described how the tide of violence is surging \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 and how it is generating its own momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this contest, War is inevitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I am launching a three point plan to maximise the chances of a peaceful future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is simple and brief:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly the opposition must act in a way that is inclusive and representative of the Syrian people \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 by creating a platform where all parties can come together and speak with a single voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, it must work peacefully with the international community with the aim of non-violent regime change…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

…even if this process involves speaking to the incumbent Regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thirdly, and only once it can display real unity \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 can it take on the regime by campaigning for a genuinely pluralistic election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No amount of heavy shelling can destroy moderate, democratic thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No amount of terrorism can undermine a unified and peaceful majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron explained in Washington that Syria doesn\u2019t need a revolution from below \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 but a transition from above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it will require enormous reserves of patience, resilience and diplomacy to make it happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would be delighted to answer your questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gracias, se\u00f1or.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ribal Al-Assad, the Director of the ODFS, this week called for a peaceful inclusive democratic transition in Syria in a speech to the International Forum, Hampstead, London. The packed audience included professionals, business people, analysts and journalists. The talk was well received and concluded with a comprehensive Q & A Session. Ribal Al-Assad made the […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4232,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-speeches"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7065","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7065"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7065\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7071,"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7065\/revisions\/7071"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/odf-syria.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}