by Stephen Lendman

He agreed to them earlier and again now, parliamentary and presidential ones, despite his overwhelming June 2014 reelection, a process independent monitors called open, free and fair.

Russian Communist party MP Alexander Yushchenko is visiting Syria “as part of a delegation of Russian parliamentarians with a humanitarian mission,” bringing food and medicines for children, according to Tass. Assad expressed willingness to hold snap elections with “all political forces that want Syria’s prosperity,” as well as consider constitutional changes, said Yushchenko - “after the victory over terrorism on the territory of Syria and the country’s liberation,” Assad explained.

“(T)he struggle against terrorism will lay the basis for a new and fair world based on sovereignty and cooperation,” he stressed.

Yushchenko said Russian delegates “expressed the position that deep constitutional reform should come from Damascus and not from Washington or Ankara.”

In February 2012, Syrians overwhelmingly approved a new constitution by national referendum - including 14 new articles from the initial draft, 37 amended ones and another 34 reformulated, going along with popular sentiment.

Political pluralism was established for the first time, as well as presidential term limits, and press freedom.

First-time parliamentary elections were held in 2012, a milestone political event, including independent candidates and government opposition ones participating. Independent monitors called the process open, free and fair. Ba’ath party members won a 60% majority legitimately.

Assad is also agreeable to new constitutional changes based on popular sentiment. He’s confident of victory if a new presidential election is held. He’s overwhelmingly popular. Most Syrians want no one else leading them.

During his meeting with Russian parliamentarians, he said “(e)radicating terrorist organizations would lead to the political solution that we, in Syria and Russia, seek in a way that satisfies the Syrian people and protects Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”

The outcome of ongoing conflict “will determine the future of the region and the world.”

He expects an upcoming visit from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, Duma speaker Sergey Naryshkin, and Federation Council chairwoman Valentina Matvienko, Russia’s highest ranking female politician.

Moscow supports the sovereign independence of all nations, especially ones attacked by US-led Western and regional dark forces like Syria and Iraq, using imported terrorists as proxy foot soldiers.

The US-created Free Syrian Army (FSA) is more myth than reality. So-called “moderate” rebels don’t exist except in numbers too few to matter.

On the one hand, they reject cooperating with Russia against terrorists for obvious reasons. It means targeting themselves.

On the other, they’re willing to dialogue with Russia on Syria, according to National Salvation Front coordinator Fahad Al-Masri.

Russia is open to all legitimate diplomatic efforts to resolve ongoing conflict politically. Continuing it assures endless bloodshed.

Vladimir Putin and Sergey Lavrov expressed Russia’s willingness to cooperate with Syrian opposition groups in fighting terrorism.

Moscow’s objective is containing and defeating terrorist elements, preventing them from spreading elsewhere, especially to Russia and Central Asia.

It welcomes support for its vital initiative, including from other nations, groups and individuals united against a common scourge.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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