Syrian Presidential Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban said that Thursday’s talks between the Syrian Arab Republic delegation and the coalition delegation of the so-called “opposition” will tackle terrorism.

Syrian Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban said that Thursday’s talks between the Syrian Arab Republic delegation and the coalition delegation of the so-called “opposition” will tackle terrorism, as UN Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi became convinced that they must discuss how to stop terrorism first.

In statements to the press on Wednesday, Shaaban said that the coalition delegation of the so-called “opposition” doesn’t want to discuss anything other than how it can rise to power, and this is what those who support it want as well.

She pointed out that that former US Ambassador to Damascus Robert Ford came out into the open yesterday to confirm that he leads the coalition delegation of so-called “opposition” after he was leading it covertly.

Shaaban said that Ford addressed the Syrian people on Tuesday as if he were a high commissioner, telling the Syrian people what they want, don’t want, and what’s good and what’s not good, forgetting that Syria is 10,000 years old and that the Syrians have dignity, and that those he meets and dictates to don’t represent Syria nor its people.

She pointed out that the coalition delegation of so-called “opposition” doesn’t care about first Geneva communiqué nor about Syria; all they care about is reaching a transitional stage to carry out what its supporters want, adding that the coalition delegation claims to represent part of the Syrian people, but in fact it only represent foreign interests which are hostile towards Syria and its people.

Shaaban wondered if one can imagine that there are Syrians who refuse to denounce US interference in their country and sending weapons to criminals who murder and abduct,  and who disagree to liberating occupied and to stopping terrorism and foreign interference.

She reiterated that the Syrian Arab Republic delegation wants to stop terrorism, stem bloodshed, and end the crisis and the tragedy affecting the Syrian people due to foreign interferences, noting that those who started this tragedy want to keep it going, while the Syrian government is trying to find a way to end the war and restore security and safety to Syria so that Syrians can decide upon their future.

Shaaban said the morning session was different, but the talks were positive, with the coalition delegation trying to discuss the issue of a transitional government, and the Syrian official delegation said it doesn’t mind discussing the first Geneva communiqué one item at a time from the beginning, noting that the first item of this communiqué calls for halting violence which has now become terrorism and creating a suitable atmosphere for launching a political process.

She noted that agreeing to discuss counterterrorism came due to the Syrian official delegation’s persistence on this point.

“The coalition delegation talked yesterday with a vision that almost made us feel like they had a magic wand and that they will solve all problems at once, but when we told them to let us bring humanitarian aid to Adra if they’re capable of stopping violence, terrorism and murder with their incredible capacities, they said that they cannot guarantee anything,” Shaaban pointed out.

On the interposition presented by the coalition delegation, Shaaban said this interposition’s main point is that they want a transitional government with full authority which they consider capable of ending violence, defeating terrorism and making Syria a paradise, noting that it’s clear that the coalition delegation need time to coordinate and agree on the ideas they want to discuss with the Syrian government, but it seems that there are sides who give contrary opinions to this coalition.

She pointed out that Friday may be dedicated to discussing when sessions will be continued afterwards, as the Syrian official delegation informed Brahimi that they will stay in Geneva only until Friday because they have commitments in Syria, stressing at the same time that the Syrian government wants to see a wide spectrum of opposition, particularly internal opposition.

On the US Congress decision to continue arming the so-called “opposition” and if this was discussed with Brahimi, Shaaban said that Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari discussed this with Brahimi.

“We know that they are arming and funding and overlooking Saudi Arabia which arms and funds, but declaring this while the Geneva talks are in session shows confusion on the part of the US administration which on one side talks to Russia and says it wants to hold Geneva to resolve the crisis in Syria, and on the other side hinders it, as announcing the arming constitutes real and tangible hindering of any political solution we seek to achieve,” she said.

Shaaban said that it’s unclear whether the contradiction in US step is between different US sides or strategies, contrasting it to the Russian government which has been consistent in its positions and statements.

She said that the results of what is taking place in the conference will be discussed by the Russians and the Americans who sponsored this conference, with an upcoming meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US State Secretary John Kerry, and Brahmi.

Shaaban voiced belief that the meetings in the Geneva conference will reflect positively on the Syrian people and their interests, adding that this optimism is drawn from what is happening on the ground, form the Syrian people, and the army.

She pointed out that the CNN correspondent told her during an interview that the Syrian government is “making a strong performance” which is why they cut down on media coverage, as the Syrian government has things to say while the other side seems not to have much that is convincing.

Shaaban said that the foreign press which had been against Syria and attempted to isolate it now realizes that Syria has convincing things to say, adding “we came to Geneva carrying the tears of the mothers, wives and children of martyrs, the strength of the Syrian Arab Army, President Bashar al-Assad, and the Syrian people, and the Syrians’ interests.”

She asserted that the foremost concern for any Syrian citizen is the restoration of security and stability to Syria, and the Syrian official delegation is representing this and hopes to be able to realize the Syrians’ aspirations.

On social media taking parts of statements she made out of context, Shaaban said this isn’t surprising as media misdirection was employed since the beginning against Syria, its people, and against her in person, adding that this is done by people without the least bit of respect and professionalism, and she will not respond to it because this does not worry her.

On whether there can by a Syrian-Syrian dialogue in Damascus instead of Geneva, Shaaban said that this is the Syrian government’s goal, and when all spectra of the opposition arrive and real dialogue begins, it must take place in Damascus.