Foreign intervention source of crisis in Syria: Activist

Press TV has interviewed Richard Becker, with the ANSWER Coalition, about recent remarks made by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif about the need for respecting the sovereignty of states in the Middle East.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: The comments by Iran’s foreign minister covered a wide range of issues; but maybe the most important part of his statement was the assertion that everybody in the region must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others to maintain stability. What is your take on that and what instances do you think he was referring to?

Becker: Well, I think that unfortunately that has not been true in the case of Syria, that clearly outside forces — Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar as well as the big Western powers, the US and France and Britain — have been intervening in Syria and not respecting Syria’s sovereignty. That’s the real cause of the crisis and has brought about this explosion of sectarianism and extremism that foreign minister referred to.

And it’s brought about an enormous tragedy for the people of Syria. I have visited Syria on two occasions and was very impressed by the country and feel terrible about — and, as I think, so many people do — about what’s befallen the Syrian people and understand that that is an outgrowth of this foreign intervention.

And it’s very interesting that the Iranian foreign minister is making this proposal to Saudi Arabia and trying to find, I think, a way out of the war that has been going on and of course that’s the discussion at Munich all in all.

Press TV: Well, of course in other parts of the comments by Mr. Zarif, he referred to common challenges the regional countries are facing and the need to work together to address these challenges. He also mentioned Saudis and Iranians, saying it is possible for both to cooperate for the sake of the region’s stability and security. How much do you think the Saudis and others are ready for this?

Becker: Well, I think if we were to talk about the Iranian people and the people of Saudi Arabia and the other countries, yes, definitely; but I don’t think there’s a willingness on the part of Saudi Arabia to do that. They have been shipping heavier weapons to the rebel forces inside of Saudi Arabia, particularly the TOW missiles, the anti-tank missile systems. And they continue to pursue what has been their objective from the beginning very clear now for almost five years and that is regime change in Damascus.

That has been their objective and I think really continues to be their objective but they have not been able to succeed because of the alliance that’s been formed of forces that, in addition to the Syrian Arab Army, are fighting to defend, have come in at the invitation of the Syrian government and are defending Syrian sovereignty against extremism and sectarianism.

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