GENEVA, March 17. /TASS/. Representative of the Jaysh al-Islam group Mohammad Alloush will remain part of the Syrian opposition’s High Negotiations Committee (HNC) despite Damascus’ position, HNC adviser Bader Jamous said on Thursday.
"What [head of Syrian government’s delegation at Geneva talks and Syria’s Ambassador to UN Bashar] Jaafari demanded from Mohammed Alloush will definitely not be done," Jamous said adding that "Alloush will remain a leader of the delegation to the negotiations."
According to Jamous, the delegation of the High Negotiations Committee has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry on the issue of possible contacts.
"Two days ago I contacted Mr Bogdanov [Russia's presidential envoy on the Middle East and North Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov], heard positive response from him, and I hope that something will happen soon," Jamous said adding that he means "both contacts and complete withdrawal of forces from Syria."
The delegation is ready for direct talks with representatives of the Syrian government.
"We’ve already had direct talks at Geneva-2, therefore, their organization will not be difficult," he said. "We hope for direct talks and are ready for them."
"We have received an official response [from UN envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura] that we are the only delegation that will be sitting at the table of negotiations on Syria," he said.
"All Syrian nationals have the right to be in Geneva, to meet with de Mistura, but they have no right to be present at negotiations," he added.
The adviser also noted that the commitee does not oppose the airstrikes delivered by Russian Aerospace Forces at the positions of the Islamic State (terrorist organization banned in Russia).
"If they [Russian forces] deliver airstrikes [at IS positions in Raqqa and Palmyra], that is fine but it does not help to resolve the problem. What helps is the pressure of the international community on the regime in order to achieve a solution in Geneva as soon as possible," Jamous said answering a TASS question.
HNC against unilateral federalization of Kurdish territories
The delegation advisor also stressed that issues of federalization should be resolved in the framework of the new constitution.
"This issue is still not being resolved. The constitution is needed here, people cannot just gather and make a decision. Who recognizes this federation? Turkey?" Jamous said answering a TASS question. "Kurdish territories will become closed islands that will not be recognized by anybody - neither Syria nor Iraq. So, it looks like this is being made for PR, to make obstacles for us here in Geneva," he added.
"The Council of the Kurdish parties, which comprises 13 Kurdish parties, is represented at the HNC. They were [at the conference] in Riyadh, they are part of the HNC and the negotiation teams. So, the Kurds are represented at the talks…," he said. "I personally heard from [UN special envoy for Syria Staffan] de Mistura that "you represent the Kurds’ interests, you have the broadest representation of the Kurds."