Alexei Pushkov: “Israeli authorities should carefully treat prospects of Syria”

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Vestnik Kavkaza continues a series of articles devoted to views of Russian experts on the Syrian conflict and preparation for the peacemaking conference Geneva-2.

According to the chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs Alexei Pushkov, general enthusiasm about the fact that Russia and the USA agreed on holding the conference on the situation in Syria is decreasing. The expert sees several reasons for this.

“First of all, there are very serious disputes regarding the participants of the conference. The US and Saudi Arabia firmly stand against Iran's participation. However, Iran is one of the countries that have significant influence on development of the Syrian crisis. It cannot be denied. Iran is a Shiite state and it has special relations with Syria. As you know Alawis are Shiites. Iran is the leading state of the region. It is not clear why they try to take Iran out of the conference. The country is a member of the United Nations. It is not an outcast state. Probably it is an outcast state in McCain’s or Sara Palin’s eyes, who don’t know where Iran is situated, but know that it is a bad country. Why do they deny Iran’s right to participate in the conference? Qatar and Saudi Arabia should take part in it, and Iran should not! On this issue we cannot agree with our colleagues. It is a serious contradiction,” Alexei Pushkov thinks.

Moreover, he is worried that the European Union has decided that certain countries of the EU can supply Syrian rebels with armament. “There was a clash in the EU regarding the problem. 14 countries were against this, and these countries are significant – Finland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and so on. However, the UK and France decided to provide the opposition with armaments. Of course, this is a sign: “We give you a chance for victory. We support you against the government of Assad. Go on fighting!” It is not a positive sign for the opposition for bringing it to negotiations with the government of Syria,” Pushkov says.

The third reason which worsens the situation is considered by the Russian expert as the fact that the opposition, especially the national coalition, still has no common position on the conference. “Whether they should take part in the conference or not, who should participate in the conference, who should represent the opposition – all this is unclear. Very serious games are played over this,” he notes.

“The fourth moment – I believe there are countries which are interested in spoiling the conference. The countries bet on the military scenario, forced the overthrowing of Assad and they are ready to fight till the last Syrian. I think these countries are playing a very negative role behind the scenes. Everybody knows these countries,” the Russian expert states.

Alexei Pushkov draws special attention to the agreement between Syria and Israel which was signed 40 years ago and required that the Security Council members would not take part in peacemaking operations on their territories. The expert notes that since that time the situation has changed, especially in Syria. “If there are no UN peacemakers, a war between Syria and Israel may begin. That is why today Russia initiates the reconsideration of the agreement. On Friday President Putin called the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and talked to him on a possibility of changing the treaty which was signed 40 years ago. As far as I know, Netanyahu promised to think about the Russian proposal. I won’t be surprised if Israel gives a negative answer. However, the question is still unsettled. It is being considered and discussed. We cannot dismiss that the Syrian-Israeli border will be involved in the conflict,” Alexei Pushkov is sure.

The expert believes that the Russian proposal would give additional guarantees against the Syrian-Israeli war and the key moment in this situation is Israel’s interests. “Does Israel need a collapse of Assad’s regime in an uncontrolled form when Islamist radicals replace him and Assad seems to be an angel in comparison with them? People who promise friendship to Israel when they come to power will consider Israel not as a partner, but as an enemy. Thus, I believe Israel should carefully treat the prospect of Syria. Russia can play a stabilizing role here,” Alexei Pushkov concludes.