Katatni Presents 6-Point Initiative to Stop Assad Massacres in Syria

Katatni Presents 6-Point Initiative to Stop Assad Massacres in Syria

Dr. Mohamed Saad Katatni, the Speaker of the Egyptian People’s Assembly (PA), said that the victory of the Syrian revolution needs a bold 6-point initiative, at the very top of it is a full, immediate and unconditional halt to the killing and violence against civilians, and preserving the unity of the Syrian people, in addition to offering a political solution to stop the bloodshed and to make the changes sought by the Syrian people, averting the risks of division or outside interference.

Dr. Katatni said – during his speech at AIPU yesterday, "The initiative is also based on opening serious responsible dialogue with countries that support the Syrian regime about this solution and its proposed agenda; providing all possible assistance and relief to the Syrian people inside the country, to enable them to hold out until they achieve victory for the revolution; unifying the Syrian opposition and encouraging them to form a national leadership, in addition to helping Syrian people outside of Syria, especially with regard to material, health, educational, visa and security matters. What is happening in Syria now amounts to crimes against humanity and a flagrant violation of morality and the good teachings of Islam".

Dr. Katatni said that, despite the great challenges facing the Arab nation, the Palestinian issue – especially Jerusalem – will remain the main concern, adding: "We look forward to the positive radical transformations taking place in the region, to work in favor of the Palestinian cause, to strengthen the position of the Palestinian people, and reopen the issue, backed with the overpowering force of popular will".

The Speaker of the Egyptian PA stressed the need for the Arab world to activate joint Arab cooperation, at this time, describing it as the lifeline needed to deal with all the challenges facing the region. He pointed out that activating cooperation is the master key to resolving most of the issues facing the Arab world, and that the Arab Spring is creating a positive atmosphere conducive to joint Arab work, stressing that the activation of the role of joint Arab action has become a prerequisite of Arab national security.

Dr. Katatni pointed that 2011 was a year of radical changes and Arab revolutions, describing it as a social, political and economic earthquake, with aftershocks still coming through the entire region. He also said that Arab revolutions and their modern institutions will most likely redraw Arab maps at all levels.

He also mentioned some of the challenges facing the Arab revolutions, highlighting as the most important of these the security challenge, restoring stability and changing the culture of repression to a culture of respect for human rights, freedoms and the rule of law.

Dr. Katatni added, "There is also the economic challenge, with urgent steps required to overcome it. There is, again, the challenge of re-drafting new constitutions that reflect the new reality as well as the people’s hopes and aspirations, and achieve national consensus. And yet again, there is the challenge of re-formulation and development of national legislation and ridding it of loopholes, through which corruption, tyranny and oppression darkly flow onto society".