Opposition Against Isolating Syria

The Damascus Declaration, Syria’s leading opposition group, says it generally supports international engagement with the country, although it remains unsure about the government’s own intentions.



In a statement issued on September 5, the Damascus Declaration said it was too early to know whether the regime was serious about re-evaluating its domestic policies and its relations with other Arab countries and Iran.



The opposition group said it had never supported isolating the regime, arguing that such policies hurt the people more than the government.



It said that as the government opens up internationally, it should allow its own people more freedom.



On the indirect talks process now in place between Syria and Israel, the Damascus Declaration said any agreement should secure Syrian rights to land, water and security, without sacrificing Palestinian rights.