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April 17th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda
Diplomats say a string of EU, US and other sanctions are affecting Assad by
curbing Syria’s ability to export oil.
Speaking at a separate meeting in Moscow, Syrian opposition members say they
have sensed a shift in Russia’s stance on the conflict in their homeland and
voiced hope on Tuesday that Moscow will crank up pressure on Assad’s regime.
On a visit to Moscow, Haytham Manna, spokesman for the Arab Commission for
Human Rights, said Russia has voiced support for democratic changes in Syria
and believes the Syrians themselves should determine the country’s future.
“The representatives of the Russian government aren’t inclined to support the
idea of preservation of the dictatorial regime,” Manna told a news
conference. “They are talking about the need for continuing democratic
changes, and it’s very important for us.”
Abdul-Aziz al-Kheir, a spokesman for the National Coordination Body for
Democratic Change in Syria, said Russia’s position has been changing over
the past two months and “particularly fast over the past two weeks.”
Members of the Syrian opposition said they hoped Russia will apply its power
to persuade Assad to observe UN and Arab league envoy Kofi Annan’s ceasefire
plan to end 13 months of violence in Syria.
“Russia has all the necessary levers to apply pressure on Assad’s government
and help Annan’s mission,” Manna said.
Hassan Abdul-Azim, the head of the National Coordination Body for Democratic
Change who is leading the delegation, said Moscow’s support is essential for
the success of Annan’s mission.
“That is the last chance to end the fratricidal massacre and create
preconditions for the transfer to a democratic form of government,” he said.
Manna said that while the opposition was encouraged by the talks in Moscow,
differences remain. Russia continues to be strongly critical of Assad
opponents using force, Manna said, while the opposition views it as a
legitimate response to the violence on the part of the regime.
He said that the opposition delegation also sought to assuage Russia’s
concerns about the rise of Islamism in Syria and prospects of continuing
violence in the country in case of regime change.
The opposition delegation is expected to meet with Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov later on Tuesday.
Lavrov has recently criticised Assad for dragging his feet on reforms and
using excessive force. He and other Russian officials have strongly urged
their old ally to observe Annan’s plan.
Russia, along with China, has twice shielded Assad’s regime from U.N.
sanctions over its deadly crackdown on a popular uprising. But Moscow has
strongly supported Annan’s ceasefire plan to end 13 months of violence and
begin talks on Syria’s political future.
Source: AP
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