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STATEMENT BY THE ASSYRIAN DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION



Jamil Diarbakerli, Chief of Staff of the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) in Istanbul, is in
Geneva for direct negotiations between the delegations of the Syrian regime and the Syrian
National Coalition.



The Assyrian Democratic Organization, together with our partners in the opposition, believe that
there is only a political solution for stopping the bloodshed in Syria. We are in Geneva for this
purpose. Our negotiations with the regime in Geneva have been focused on preparing for
Geneva II to establish a transitional governing body with appointed ministers from the
opposition, but also ministers from the Syrian regime who have not committed crimes. Our
condition is that Bashar al-Assad is not included in a new government. This transitional
governing body is needed to establish peace and to eliminate the terrorism which has been
growing on the ground in Syria.



The regime is so far negative to these demands, and shows no true efforts in the negotiations,
while the opposition has come on a Geneva I basis. The delegation from the Syrian regime
cannot even make any real decisions, but point out they must return to Syria for the decisionmaking process. Altogether, there is not much new in the negotiations worth mentioning.



Abdelahad Astepho and I brought up, and will continue to bring up the case of arrested ADO
leader Gabriel Moshe with all delegates we meet, who for example include the Russian
delegation and the joint special envoy Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi. In an official meeting between the
opposition and the regime regarding imprisoned and kidnapped individuals, Abdelahad Astepho
brought up the case of the bishops, abducted priests and nuns, as well as the case of our
chairman, Gabriel Moshe. We should mention, however, that there are thousands of detained
and kidnapped people, and we have yet not seen a positive result of these discussions between
the regime and opposition.



We are hoping that Geneva II will become a solution for Syria, where blood is flowing and cities
and villages are being destroyed. We are hoping that Geneva II can be the solution for all
detained and kidnapped individuals, and a means to eliminate terrorism in Syria. We, within
ADO, as a part of the opposition but also as a part of the Assyrian people, also see this as a
solution – to create a new Syria based on democracy, freedom and equality. If it turns out that
Geneva II does not become a solution for Syria, we will still continue to struggle for democracy,
freedom and equality for all Syrians.