Speaking on Monday at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank, the
US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey said Washington is
not looking for a "regime change” in Syria, but rather a "different” government.
"We want to see a regime that is fundamentally different. It’s not regime change
— we’re not trying to get rid of Assad,” he said.
US Syria envoy James Jeffrey remarks reveal a policy that
is both naive and counterproductive. He says America doesn't want to remove
Assad but instead change his behavior. This contradicts his earlier statements
that Assad must go
Jeffrey further estimated that Syria needs $300-400 billion for reconstruction,
saying Western countries and international financial institutions would not
commit funds to rebuild the war-torn state unless there is a compromise on the
part of the Damascus government.
"There is a strong readiness on the part of Western nations not to ante up money
for that disaster unless we have some kind of idea that the government is ready
to compromise,” he said.
He also acknowledged that Washington may not find an ally
anytime soon in Syria, saying, "It doesn’t have to be a regime that we
Americans would embrace as, say, qualifying to join the European Union if the
European Union would take Middle Eastern countries.”
The US has long been accused of providing safe passage and
logistical support to the Takfiri terrorists, who have been fighting to topple
the Assad government since early 2011.
Washington has on many occasions argued with vehemence that peace in the country
was inconceivable as long as Assad remained in power.
Currently, American military forces maintain a significant presence in Syria’s
north, where they openly support the anti-Damascus Kurdish militants.
The US and its allies have also been running an illegal bombing campaign against
what is claimed to be Daesh positions. Those raids have done little to uproot
terrorism and, instead, hampered Syrian army advances against Takfiri militants
on numerous occasions.
Russia said last month that the US views Daesh as an ally to push for regime
change in Syria.
On the other side, the Damascus government – backed by its allies Russia and
Iran – has succeeded in defeating terrorists on almost all fronts countrywide.
Idlib Province remains the last major terrorist stronghold in the country. The
Syrian army has suspended a liberation operation in that area, giving room to
peace efforts on the diplomatic stage – mediated by Iran, Russia and Turkey –
aimed at working out a non-military solution to the Syria crisis.
Assad said in May that the US "is losing its cards” as the militant groups it
supports have lost significant ground on the battlefield against the army,
emphasizing that the Americans "should leave” the Syrian soil.
Source:PressTV