Yalman Haceroglu interviews the head of the Syrian Interim Government affiliated with the Syrian National Coalition: The next stage requires a comprehensive national dialogue… and no sectarian quotas in Syria.
- Any new authority must start from the Geneva Statement of 2012 and UN dicession 2254 of 2015
- We aspire to form a technocratic government capable of building the state and meeting the needs of the people, far from any sectarian or national considerations
- Turkmen factions have played a prominent role since the beginning of the Syrian revolution in confronting the regime and fighting terrorism, including confronting the “PKK” and “PYD” organizations
- We seek for Syrian relations with regional countries to be based on mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs
- The new Syria will seek to build strategic partnerships and benefit from its geographical location to enhance its role in trade, energy and transportation
- The comprehensive role between receiving refugees and military, humanitarian and development efforts highlights Turkey’s steadfast commitment to the Syrian people
- We count on continued Turkish support to achieve political transition and democratic transformation in Syria, in a way that guarantees the security and stability that the Syrian people deserve.
Interview conducted by: Yalman Haceroğlu
The armed factions of the Syrian opposition were able, during military operations, and within a few days, to The removal of the Assad regime and the curtain falling on the Syrian political scene that lasted for more than five decades. Here, many questions arise regarding the future of stability in Syria.
1-Does the easy fall of the regime mean that the forces that seized power will have an easy task in achieving stability in Syria?
How will the future political equation be written and what will be the participation of different ethnicities, nationalities and sects in the political process.
We pose these questions and others to the head of the Syrian Interim Government of the Syrian National Coalition, Mr. Abdul Rahman Mustafa.
2-How do you view the future political process in Syria?
The future political process in Syria is a crucial axis for achieving sustainable stability and rebuilding the state on the foundations of democracy and social justice. With the fall of the Assad regime, it has become necessary for any authority that assumes the management of the country’s affairs to work to implement the spirit of international legitimacy resolutions, especially the Geneva Communiqué of 2012 and UN Resolution 2254 of 2015. This is represented by establishing a transitional government capable of managing the transitional phase and ensuring the transfer of power to the people in a peaceful and democratic manner.
The next stage requires launching a comprehensive national dialogue that brings together all components of Syrian society, without exception or discrimination, and includes political, societal and civil parties. This dialogue must be supported by a sincere will to build trust between all parties and develop a clear vision for the future.
Through this dialogue, a transitional government can be formed that expresses the aspirations of all Syrians, works to achieve justice, and rebuilds state institutions in a manner that serves the national interest.
In this context, transitional justice is considered an essential element to address the effects of conflict and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations, while working to redress the harm suffered by victims and ensuring national reconciliation.
3-As the head of the Syrian Interim Government, what are the political foundations that will be followed in Syria to write the political equation through a government that includes different ethnicities and nationalities in Syria?
We look forward to a transitional period of rule, which is an essential step to start comprehensive reform of various sectors, including the military, political, legal, economic and social sectors. This should be done with the effective participation of different ethnicities, nationalities and sects to ensure fair and comprehensive representation that enhances national unity and establishes the principles of democracy and human rights.
Achieving stability in Syria requires a serious commitment from all parties to the political process based on international legitimacy decisions, in addition to building strong institutions in which human rights are respected and in which all Syrians participate on an equal footing. The ultimate goal must be to build a state of law and democracy that allows every individual the opportunity to live in dignity and justice. This commitment is the basis through which we can overcome the painful effects of the past and move forward towards a bright future for Syria and its people.
4-Do you think, Mr. President, that the next government will be a quota government like what happened in Iraq, and how can we compare the scenes in Iraq and Syria?
Many questions are being raised about the nature of the next government in Syria, and whether it will face the fate of governments based on sectarian quotas as is the case in Iraq.
In this context, he explained that the ambition in the new Syria is directed towards forming a technocratic government that represents all Syrians and is capable of building the state and meeting the needs of the people away from any sectarian or national considerations. The main goal is to establish a national unity government that works to remove the fears of Syrians and enhance their sense of equal citizenship.
Despite the great diversity that characterizes Syrian society, which includes different ethnicities and sects, the future vision seeks to elevate the status of citizenship as the basis for building the state, so that belonging to the homeland is above any other affiliation.
We seek to avoid the sectarian quota model that has proven in many countries that it can lead to internal divisions and conflicts instead of achieving stability.
The Syrian vision is to benefit from the lessons learned from regional experiences, with a focus on building a political system based on efficiency, justice and equality, far from any quotas that harm the national fabric. The challenges in Syria also require adopting a unified approach that works to build strong institutions capable of serving all Syrians without discrimination, ensuring national unity and sustainable development.
5-Will elements of the Syrian armed factions, including the Turkmen armed factions, participate in the political process?
The participation of the Syrian armed factions, including the Turkmen factions, in the future political process is vital to rebuilding Syria on democratic and inclusive foundations.
It is necessary to integrate these factions into a comprehensive national dialogue aimed at establishing a unified national military institution that goes beyond the mistakes of the past and is subject to civilian authority, while respecting human rights and refraining from interfering in political affairs.
Turkmen factions have played a prominent role since the beginning of the Syrian revolution in confronting the regime and fighting terrorism, including confronting organizations such as the PKK, PYD. Their continuation in these efforts reinforces the importance of involving them in the transitional phase to ensure the representation of all components of Syrian society and achieve the desired stability.
Involving these factions in the political process will contribute to building a national army that reflects the diversity of Syrian society, and will strengthen civil-military relations on sound foundations, thus preventing the recurrence of previous painful experiences. This approach is in line with the aspirations of the Syrian people to build a democratic state that respects human rights and ensures the participation of all spectrums in decision-making.
6-Mr. President, during your political work, you were the head of the Turkmen Council in Syria. First, how do you evaluate the Turkmen political activity in Syria?
The Turkmen are considered an integral part of the Syrian fabric and a fundamental component of the Syrian people, whose diversity extends across different ethnicities and sects. They have had a prominent and influential role since the start of the revolution for freedom and dignity, as they stood by their brothers from various components of Syrian society, making great sacrifices in order to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people towards freedom and justice.
On the political level, the Turkmen Council and the Turkmen played an effective role in supporting the revolution, whether through political forums or through community and media activities. During my presidency of the Council, I was able to present the Turkmen voice in international conferences and forums, which contributed to clarifying the position of this component and its vital role in the Syrian revolution.
The Turkmen political activity is characterized by a strong will to work within the comprehensive national framework, with a constant emphasis on the principle of national partnership based on equality and respect for the rights of all. The Turkmen were not only supporters of the revolution, but they were an essential part of the political movement calling for the unity of Syrian lands and the building of a civil, democratic state that accommodates all its people without discrimination. In our assessment of the Turkmen political activity, we find that it succeeded in preserving its Syrian national identity, while at the same time working to enhance cooperation with other groups to achieve a common vision for the future of Syria. These efforts reflect an advanced political awareness and a firm belief that the solution in Syria requires unifying ranks and working together to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people in all their groups.
7-Can we talk about the participation of the Turkmen people in Syria in the upcoming political process?
The Turkmen people have proven during the Syrian revolution that they are a fundamental and effective component, with a strong will to contribute to building the future of Syria. Their participation was not only in the military or societal field, but was also evident in their participation in the political movement and their pursuit of achieving the aspirations of the Syrians for freedom and justice.
The Turkmen were marginalized during the era of the defunct regime, like many components of Syrian society, but their participation in the revolution has re-shed light on their national role and active presence.
This historical marginalization must be addressed by ensuring their fair and effective participation in the transitional phase and in the future political process, to ensure the representation of all spectrums and achieve the balance required to build a democratic state.
We emphasize that building modern Syria requires a true national partnership that includes all components of society without exception, including the Turkmen. This partnership is the basis for strengthening national unity and consolidating the principles of citizenship, where every individual and component has a role in shaping the future of the country, regardless of race or sect.
The Turkmen, through their history, sacrifices and participation in the revolution, have proven that they are an essential part of the project to build a modern state that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people in all their diversity. This next stage will be an opportunity to achieve justice and equality, and to ensure that the Turkmen and all components have a voice and an effective position in political and administrative decision-making.
8-How do you read the Syrian political scene in terms of Syria’s relationship with regional countries?
The current Syrian political scene in terms of relations with regional countries is going through a sensitive and complex phase as a result of years of conflict and foreign interventions. With the fall of the regime, Syria has a new opportunity to reformulate its relations with its regional surroundings on completely different foundations, based on the principles of good neighborliness, joint cooperation, and building strategic partnerships that serve mutual interests.
We seek for Syrian relations with regional countries to be based on mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in the political, economic, and security fields. The new Syria, after all the tragedies it has gone through, must be a source of stability and peace in the region, and seek to build bridges of trust with all neighboring countries in a way that enhances regional security.
The relationship with regional countries will depend to a large extent on our ability to rebuild the Syrian state as a unified and stable entity that works to achieve the interests of its people, while at the same time respecting international agreements and working to enhance regional peace. We seek to transform Syria into a positive partner in the region, capable of contributing to resolving regional issues and enhancing stability rather than being an arena for conflicts.
In this context, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of cooperation with friendly regional countries to rebuild, strengthen the economy, coordinate to combat terrorism, and ensure the safe and dignified return of refugees. These efforts will be the basis for building solid and sustainable regional relations that will make Syria an effective and positive country in its surroundings.
9-If we draw the international political map, where will you find Syria’s position on this map?
Syria is a country with a geostrategic position and a long history, and has always been an important axis in the region and the world. However, the former regime weakened its position by transforming it into an authoritarian state that serves its narrow interests. We aspire to restore Syria to its natural role as an effective state in the international community, built on the foundations of democracy and justice, contributing to regional and international stability and peace.
The new Syria will seek to build strategic partnerships and take advantage of its geographical location to enhance its role in trade, energy, and transportation. Our goal is for Syria to be a model for a modern state that respects human rights, achieves the interests of its people, and restores its role as a source of stability and communication between the East and the West.
10-How do you view the Turkish government’s support for the Syrian people, which has sheltered millions of Syrians and those fleeing the brutality of the Assad regime, as well as the Turkish government’s political support for establishing stability in Syria?
It is impossible to talk about the Turkish role in supporting the Syrian people without referring to the great efforts made by the Republic of Turkey in various fields. It played a pivotal role in defeating terrorism and confronting terrorist organizations such as ISIS and PKK, PYD, as it provided significant military support to the Syrian National Army and the intelligent blood of the Turkish martyrs mixed with the blood of the martyrs of the National Army, who sacrificed side by side to liberate Syrian lands from terrorism and restore security to its people, which reflects the depth of brotherhood and solidarity between the Syrian and Turkish peoples.
In addition to its military efforts, Turkey opened its doors to receive millions of Syrian refugees who fled the brutality of the Assad regime and the horrors of war, and provided them with shelter and care, affirming its humanitarian and moral commitment to the Syrian people. Turkey also contributed significantly to building institutions in the liberated areas, which helped restore life to normal. These efforts included establishing schools to provide education for children, building hospitals to provide health care, and developing basic infrastructure to support the local population.
In addition, Turkey supported the Syrians in international forums, defending their legitimate demands before the world, and working to strengthen local governance and provide stability in liberated areas through development and administrative programs aimed at enabling Syrians to manage their own affairs.
This comprehensive role that combines receiving refugees, military, humanitarian, and development efforts highlights Turkey’s steadfast commitment to the Syrian people. We count on this support to continue to achieve political transition and democratic transformation in Syria, ensuring the security and stability that the Syrian people deserve.