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Editorial – With or without Geneva, Coalition to face unwelcome consequences

An opposition boycott of Geneva would play into the hands of the Syrian government
Editorial – With or without Geneva, Coalition to face unwelcome consequences

We cannot deny that the National Coalition with all its suffer of rifts and fractions is still the legitimate group by the International Community amid the Syrian opposition. But is this recognition able to be last longing if NC failed to attend the planned peace conference in Geneva, Jan 22.

 

Some may say if NC officials agreed to participate, the whole coalition would face danger of collapse and perhaps that would be the mercy bullet ends the age of coalition.

 

On other side Coalition, opponents of the peace talks argue that to sit down with Assad's officials without any concessions from Damascus would further alienate the political opposition in exile from the rebels on the ground, according to Dasha Afanasieva, analysts and journalist.

 

Monzer Akbik, chief of staff to the Coalition's president, said an opposition boycott of Geneva would play into the hands of the Syrian government: "The regime would love it if we don't go," he said to Reuters.

 

The logical thinking, why the NC principals not to find a common ground to solve their discords and to avoid a similar copy of Oslo I Accord 1993 between Palestinians and Israelis.

 

The Oslo I Accord 1993 has many similarities with Geneva II, according the participated parties (Israel- Palestine Liberation Organization)-(Assad regime- National Coalition).

 

 Oslo I officially called the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements was an attempt in 1993 to set up a framework that would lead to the resolution of the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. And Geneva can pave the way for a framework that would lead to a resolution regarding the 3-year war old.

 

'Oslo I' was the first face-to-face agreement between the government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and so it will be between the government of Assad and the Syrian National Coalition (SNC).

 

The historical memory approved that Palestinian had gained the media war against Israelis in Madrid conference 1991 that showed PLO revolutionaries playing diplomatic role for the first time, gaining an international recognition.

 

 The participation seemed to be a destiny that has no escape, according a Western diplomat following the Friday’s talks, who told Reuters  "I expect a Yes vote," adding that the United States, Britain and other Western backers had told the Coalition that a No vote would have unwelcome consequences.

 

"We haven't used the language of threats," he said. "But we have made clear the decision on Geneva is a big one and it will be difficult to deliver on military and political strategy if they don't go."

 

 

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