Boris Dolgov: “A new stage is coming in the Syrian settlement”

Interview by Daria Melikhova. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

Sponsors of the irreconcilable opposition in Syria prevent a political dialogue, according to the head of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov who is meeting the coordinator of the National Coordinating Committee of the Syrian Opposition abroad, Heisam Manaa.

Senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the RAS, Boris Dolgov, commented for Vestnik Kavkaza the talks between Russian diplomats and the Syrian opposition and the general situation in Syria.

-When can we expect a resolution of the situation in Syria?

- I think that the crisis in Syria is now global, so the main thing is to stop the violence in Syria, but it is possible only with an adjustment to common consensual positions of all global players, primarily the U.S. and Russia, as was said here. This is the main point. To stop the supply of weapons to anti-government armed groups in Syria, cessation of hostilities on both sides - this is the main thing. Then we can talk about the beginning of a positive political process, i.e. a national dialogue, as mentioned in Proposals of the Syrian leadership, it was discussed at  today's press conference. I think the main thing is to put an end to violence through the political coherence of the U.S. and Russia and internal consent in Syria. The consent of the opposition, first of all, to cease military action and start a political process.

- For two years, there has been fighting, and no solution has been found. How then is it possible to expect one? What can be done?

- That is true, but, in my opinion, we are now in a new stage. Now the armed opposition, which includes mostly radical Islamist groups, is showing itself not only in Syria. The same forces are at war in Mali and  in Libya. The same radical Islamist groups, participated in the murder of American diplomats in Libya. Barack Obama talked about it recently before the U.S. Congress. He said that the US will support the Syrian opposition, but they need to be careful and check in whose hands the weapons will end up, so that these weapons will not be used against the US or Israel. The US also included, one of the main armed anti-government groups in Syria, the "Victors' Front", on the list of terrorist organizations. This is already a landmark moment. It shows that radical Islam is a threat not only to Syria and to the Syrian leadership, for the Syrian people, but also for the  West. This is a positive development, a positive moment. I think that this can bring Russia and the United States closer.

- Is not there a danger that the hotbed of rebellion will spread to neighbouring countries?

- Yes, it is a danger. Actually, it had already spread. In Lebanon, we know that there were conflicts in Turkey, terrorist acts in Iraq - all this echoes the Syrian conflict that goes beyond Syria. This is also a fact that cannot be ignored in the policy of the Western powers. On the one hand, this is a negative point, that is, the spread of violence from the territory of Syria, but at the same time, it is a positive point in terms of understanding the threat. The understanding of all our Western partners.

- What can we expect from the talks between Lavrov and the opposition?

- I think those points that have already been discussed will be made more precise. Specific steps to create perhaps a coalition government, possible negotiations between the opposition and the leadership of Syria. But, in my opinion, the question still remains how to find consensus among the opposition. We know that there are several organizations and groups, often warring, among the  Syrian opposition. there is no unity, and no subject for negotiation. There must be a single program, a single position, and the Syrian opposition does not have it yet. This is also a question which, in my opinion, will be discussed at the negotiations.