| Politics |
Pushkov: There is concurrence in Russia on the Russian Pro-Syria stance
MOSCOW_ Chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee, Alexei Pushkov reiterated Russia's firm stance on the situation in Syria as renewed by the Russian President Vladimir Putin in his latest TV interview.
During his meeting with the General Mufti of the Republic Dr. Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun and Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Assistant Bishop Luca al- Khouri at the Duma Council on Saturday, Pushkov said "Russia adopts firm, objective stances on Syria, and there is total concurrence between the executive and legislative authorities , the majority of parties and political and social movements and the sweeping majority of the Russian public opinion in this regard.''
For his part, Mufti Hassoun hailed Russia's stance in support of the principles of the right and justice in Syria, stressing the resolve of all sincere Syrians, Muslims and Christians alike, and all the stripes of the Syrian society to adopt dialogue and negotiations without preconditions to get out of the current crisis.''
Bishop Luca said, ''The Christians are one of the core components of the Syrian people who are living in amity and concord with all their fellow compatriots…They reject all vindictive calls that incite them against their fellow nationals.''
He highlighted the crimes committed by terrorist groups against peaceful citizens, Muslims and Christians, who are destroying mosques, churches and wiping out entire families.
In an interview with SANA reporter in Moscow, Pushkov touched upon the Russian president's interview with Russia Today television, indicating that it furnished answers on whether Russia intends to shift stance on Syria.
Pushkov said that rumors and expectations abounded in Western media over the past months on whether Russia might backtrack on its stance and shift to backing the Western plans against Syria, indicating that Putin's answers laid these expectations to rest.
Pushkov stressed that he still sees a possibility for solving the Syrian crisis through dialogue, not through sustaining military confrontation.
''In this sense, President Putin reiterated Russia's stance on the necessity of finding compromises that pave the way towards a new phase in Syria instead of supporting violence and siding with one side, as this path only leads to a deadlock,'' Pushkov said.
He added that no one has yet to come up with anything more convincing that President Putin's, including those who claim to be 'Friends of Syria', the international community , UN representative s or even its Secretary-General.''
On the AL Council cutting the broadcast of Syrian TV channels on Nilesat and Arabsat , Pushkov said that there is a media war waged on Syria, and ''Information are presented in a negative way and there is often deliberate disinformation, like, for instance, when massacres occur, they rush to point an accusing finger at the official authorities even without evidence.''
He said that media outlets are being 'pliant tools' in the hands of their masters, adding that he is convinced that they are doing the bidding of certain circles.
''The Arab League suspending the broadcast of Syrian satellite TV channels is unacceptable and inconceivable as they are talking about free exchange of information. This is not only double standards, but also blatant media aggression against Syria,'' he said.
Pushkov expressed doubt that European parliamentary institutions would condemn such a move, regretting that the media war against Syria is intensifying and increasingly assuming violent forms.
Sunday 09-09-2012
