The
events that began in March 2011 with the Ba'ath regime's harsh reaction
to demonstrators in Daraa, Syria have turned into a civil war that has
so far cost the lives of more than 80,000 people and caused millions to
flee their homes. It has now become abundantly clear that there can be
no agreement on a democratic and humane solution with this bloody regime
that is trying to use all its army's heavy weapons to intimidate its
own innocent people.
In
order for conflict, terror and war to come to an end in the entire
Middle East, Syria in particular, and for a region living in peace to be
built, an entirely new political reality needs to be created in the
region. As with everywhere else in the world, people with different
cultures, different religious beliefs and political opinions live in the
Middle East. The only way in which such a mosaic structure can live in
peace with the most advanced democracy is for a union of strong
countries to adopt a common decision and approach.
No
problem has ever been solved through violence in this world. Wars
always lead to new wars, terror leads to terror and violence to acts of
even worse violence. The sole key to the elimination of violence from
the world and a peaceful life is for policies based on love to prevail.
The first step to be taken to that end is for the sides to be convinced
of a new Middle East order, by drawing a broad line, abandoning feelings
of hatred, rage and obstinacy, and through the co-ordination of
powerful countries.
A
solution in Syria can be found through sound mediation by Turkey and
Russia, both of which know the country best, which are trusted and have
enjoyed bilateral relations with it for many years. On the one hand
there is Turkey, which has inherited the Ottoman legacy; a country of
exemplary peace that serves as an older brother among Muslims and the
peoples of the Middle East. The peoples of Turkey and Syria have lived
hand-in-hand for hundreds of years. On the other hand is Russia, which
has used Syria as its own base in the Middle East for 60 years, which
established political and economic relations with the people and
gradually made itself very popular.
Due
to long-standing Russian/Syrian relations, "the idea of a solution
without Russia" is of course technically impossible. In addition, no
country, and Turkey in particular, has demanded that Russia abandon its
presence and interests in Syria and withdraw from the country or close
its military bases there.
The
Russian Federation will be able to maintain military, economic and
political relations with the new Syrian government as it enjoys now.
Turkey is giving Russia a guarantee on this. Once Russia has been
reassured on these matters it will have no hesitation about doing what
is required of it to find a solution and for the building of peace.
Russia is the only country the Syrian regime will listen to. With
Russian involvement, and its acting as guarantor, the Assad dictatorship
will quickly lead the country to new elections and then Assad himself
will retire from the political stage. In this way, a regime that has no
qualms about threatening the Middle East and its own people, and about
war and conflict will give way to a new and reasonable regime.
This
new climate would also be welcomed by the U.S. and its allies. A new
and democratic Syria would be broadly accepted because it will be
regarded as one of the steps to a secure Middle East from the point of
view of the U.S. and Israel as well.
One
of the most alarming developments in Syria that has raised universal
concern is the appearance of radical groups among the opposition.
Neither Russia, the U.S. nor Turkey wants these groups to have any place
in the new administration. The Republic of Turkey is a secular and
democratic state of law, which lives by Islam in the most reasonable and
peaceful way, in a manner compatible with its very essence. Muslims
make up 99 percent of the population of Turkey and it serves as a role
model for all other Islamic countries in terms of politics, law,
humanity, quality and modernity. Turkey has Muslim leaders who believe
that Islam condemns terror and believe in the rule of justice among
countries. A new and democratic Syria needs to adopt Turkey as a role
model, and needs its sound and deep-rooted heritage, culture and
experience in order to produce a genuinely devout structure for its
people, to eliminate sectarian conflict and to make a stand against
extremist attitudes.
Turkey
possesses a strength of opinion, knowledge and foresight that can put
an end to conflict, not just in Syria, but throughout the Islamic world.
Violence, extremist attitudes and a spirit of hostility have never been
a solution for the Islamic community; to the contrary, they have always
harmed the Islamic world. This also prevents the establishment of peace
in the world. Yet Turkey wishes to make a reality of its idea of
bringing all Muslims together in a common approach based on peace and
love, "to secure rational and honest gains by abandoning violence and
employing a campaign of ideas." Turkey is the only Islamic country that
can undertake this historic duty. It is therefore the key country in
terms of peace and a solution.
The
urgent solution lies, not in arming either Assad or the opposition, but
in both sides disarming and establishing a climate of peace. Turkey and
Russia are powerful enough to establish a climate of peace under the
most appropriate conditions by negotiating with the supporters of the
regime and the opposition. Otherwise, Syria will turn into a lake of
blood, millions will end up losing their lives in this civil war, and
the Western world, Russia and the Middle East will suffer from the
long-term consequences.
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