Dr. Salah Darwish: The Kurdish issue can be resolved in Damascus
Welat TV -Erbil
The Secretary of the Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party in Syria, Dr. Salah Darwish, provides insights into his perspective on recent regional and international developments, particularly the return of US President Donald Trump to power and its impact on US policy regarding Syria and Kurdistan.
In a wide-ranging political interview by "Welat TV" with Dr. Darwish, he discussed key issues, including Trump's expected foreign policy directions, what this new term could mean for the Middle East, and the challenges facing the Kurdish people in Syria aimed at regional and international changes.
Dr. Darwish: also discussed the possibility of a US troop withdrawal from the region, the role of Kurdish parties in addressing these challenges, and stressed the importance of Kurdish unity in Syria. He highlighted the impact of US and Turkish policies on the Kurdish issue.
The interview also addressed the Syrian regime's stance on the Kurdish issue and emphasized the importance of negotiation to achieve legitimate rights, as well as relations with Arab parties and efforts to change the negative perceptions of Kurds. In this interview, Dr. Darwish offers honest positions and a strategic vision for the future of the region.
Below is the interview text of the dialogue with the Secretary of the Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party in Syria, Dr Salah Darwish:
Welat TV: Not many parties expected President Trump to win a second term; what is your perspective on this?
Dr. Salah Darwish: It was expected, as his predecessor, Biden, didn't offer much.
Welat TV: What do you think Trump will do? Dr. Salah Darwish:
Dr. Salah Darwish: Trump will pursue the plans and goals that he believes in. It is important to recognize that Trump did not grow up in American institutions or within their political environment. He is relatively new to American politics and lacks military experience. He won his position largely due to Biden's weak policies, which led the American people to turn back to Trump. Additionally, throughout history, the American people have never elected a woman as a candidate for the presidency.
Welat TV: Do you mean Trump's victory was likely?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Trump raised a lot of money for America, vowed to earn more, and pledged to spend a lot of money to fulfill the interests and services of the American people while also solving domestic issues by stating, "America First."
Welat TV: Has his foreign policy influenced this?
Dr. Salah Darwish: in terms of foreign policy, the Republicans are more hawkish and more concerned about US policy than the Democrats, and I think Trump will follow his previous approach.
Welat TV: What do you think he will offer regarding the Syrian crisis and Syrian Kurdistan?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Trump sees Iran as his main enemy and considers it to be the main cause of the problems in the Middle East and surrounding region. I believe he will move towards Iran with a tougher policy that will affect the countries of the region, as is currently the case between Iran and Israel. Through its continuous support and influence over political Islamist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which fits Trump's orientation to move forward to strike and undermine these groups and achieve his goals.
Welat TV: Do you think Trump will withdraw troops from Syrian Kurdistan?
Dr. Salah Darwish: This depends on the American interests in Syrian Kurdistan, and Trump will consider whether to withdraw or stay aligned with the interests of America; if he finds his interest in Turkey, for example, he will proceed accordingly.
Welat TV: If we assume a US withdrawal, do you expect that?
Dr. Salah Darwish: This is a possibility in line with America's interests, which the US administration has never worked against, and the officials currently appointed by Trump have never opposed their country's interests in their history.
Welat TV: Many officials in the incoming Trump administration are friends of the Kurds, what role do you think this will play?
Dr. Salah Darwish: If we can protect their interests in the region, we will be closer to Trump and his staff.
Welat TV: How is that possible?
Dr. Salah Darwish: If we are strong allies and protect their interests from danger, but if Trump believes that Turkey is fulfilling and safeguarding his interests better than we are, then he will align himself more with Turkey and Iran. When we say that we are an oppressed and persecuted people who need America's support, it's important to remember that Trump does not view America as a charitable institution. He consistently emphasizes, “America's interests first.”
Welat TV: What is required from you as a Kurdish party in the upcoming phase?
Dr. Salah Darwish: We need to understand and study US policy and its direction in the upcoming phase and unite our thoughts and vision more rationally. As individuals, we cannot assess matters on our own, but by coming together around a table, we can better understand the requirements of the upcoming phase and influence our friends in Europe and the international community.
Welat TV: What are your thoughts on Erdogan's threat to re-invade Syrian Kurdistan under the pretext of creating a safe zone following Trump's victory?
Dr. Salah Darwish: I believe Erdogan is making these threats because the Syrian regime's president has yet to reply to his demands, and he is occasionally brandishing attacks in an attempt to force Bashar al-Assad to comply. All of these threats are unjustified because the Kurds in Syrian Kurdistan have made no mistakes regarding Turkey.
Welat TV: Regarding the raising of images of certain symbols and slogans from groups that Turkey considers terrorist, isn't this considered a mistake?
Dr. Salah Darwish: There is no doubt about that, but as Syrian Kurds and Syrian Kurdish parties, we are not in favor of inciting Turkey against us, we advocate for calm and the rights of the Kurdish people peacefully in both Syrian and Turkish Kurdistan. Raising slogans that don't serve the interests of the Kurdish people has a negative and unnecessary effect on us, we demand our legitimate national rights peacefully and exclusively from Damascus.
Welat TV: Can Damascus grant any rights to the Kurdish people?
Dr. Salah Darwish: According to the Syrian constitution, the rights of the Kurdish people must be guaranteed and protected. Regardless of the changes in successive governments, all the countries currently involved in the region may withdraw, but we will still be facing the Syrian people. As we are part of this nation, the Syrian people need to accept us as part of them for us to claim our rights. Our conflict is not with Turkey, Iran, or Iraq; the core issue lies in Damascus.
Welat TV: Do Arab political parties in Syria accept the Kurds?
Dr. Salah Darwish: There is no doubt that Arab political parties will accept the Kurds as partners, but this acceptance requires significant effort and commitment.
Welat TV: What measures should be taken?
Dr. Salah Darwish: I recall that our former party secretary, Hamid Darwish, dedicated significant effort to engage with Arab parties, leading them to acknowledge the Kurdish issue. Over the years, successive governments have made fear and apprehension among the Arab component regarding the Kurds, portraying them as outsiders and separatists who threaten the integrity of our state. It is imperative that we work to change this perception and the prevailing mindset within the community to improve a more positive view of us.
Welat TV: Through your political work in the Syrian Coalition for years, have you been able to change the negative perception of the Arab parties towards the Kurdish people?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Many people's perspectives have changed, and they will continue to change as they learn more about the actual demands of the Kurdish people. When the regime tells them that the Kurds are separatists, that is one thing, but when we demand equality with others in our national and political rights and demands within a united Syria, that is another thing for the Arabs to understand, so it is up to us to paint the true picture in the minds of others.
Welat TV: As the Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party, what are your demands?
Dr. Salah Darwish: In our recent 16th conference, we, as a party, declared our commitment to the slogan, "The legitimate national rights of the Syrian people in a way that will not create future problems in the future."
Welat TV: Why didn't you specify the form of the future state, such as self-administration, federalism, or decentralization?
Dr. Salah Darwish: We believe that the specific form will be determined when we sit at the negotiating table to advocate for our people's rights. This will allow us to assess our own capabilities as well as those of our opponents.
Welat TV: Numerous leaders are advocating for demanding major entitlements until the opposition or its representatives are satisfied. What is your perspective on this matter?
Dr. Salah Darwish: The late Hamid Darwish once remarked, "In negotiations, there are two types of individuals who invariably face defeat: those who are overly demanding and those who give too little." A balanced approach to demands often leads to greater success. For instance, if we demand a state, will they give us federalism? Certainly not. Therefore, our demands should be moderate, realistic, and attainable, ensuring that the opposing side does not fear us as a threat but rather as allies.
Welat TV: Are the Turkish threats of attack serious?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Yes, I consider it serious because it is not the first time, and it has carried out its threats before. We were optimistic about the recent statements of Devlet Bahceli and Erdogan, and we were expecting the possibility of finding a solution for the Kurdish issue in Turkey, but Ankara's attacks changed the direction.
Welat TV: Were the attacks in Ankara the reason for the change, of course?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Regardless of who is behind them, the Turkish leadership must realize that they have turned the Kurds into bogeymen in the eyes and minds of the Turkish people, created countless enemies for the Kurds, and fought them fiercely, so when they suddenly put the talks on the table, many of these people will stand in the way of the solution and create problems to thwart it.
Welat TV: There have been efforts to arrange a meeting between Assad and Erdogan, but the Russian president's envoy recently stated that such a meeting is not appropriate at this time. What is your view on this?
Dr. Salah Darwish: I believe the reasons for this include the current changes in the region, particularly the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Additionally, Erdogan's demands of Assad, which include the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syrian territory, have led to Assad's rejection of the negotiations, as he considers these areas occupied and believes that Turkey must withdraw before any discussions can take place. Furthermore, I see that the international circumstances are not favorable for a meeting at this stage. However, I anticipate the possibility of such a meeting in the coming period, depending on the evolving conditions of the current phase.
Welat TV: Do you think Assad doesn't want to meet Erdogan or vice versa?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Neither of them wants to meet because each has conditions for the other to accept negotiations.
Welat TV: Are the Kurds ready to sit down with the regime, knowing that some Kurdish parties and currents are in contact with some representatives of the regime, are you as a party ready to negotiate with the regime?
Dr. Salah Darwish: I have previously stated that the solution to the Kurdish issue will be in the capital, regardless of the government or the regime represented, so if Assad is willing to solve the Kurdish issue, we are ready to sit with him.
Welat TV: Dr. Salah Darwish Can you trust Assad yet?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Whoever proposes the idea of negotiation, we are ready for it; however, removing the idea of negotiation from its foundation is a major political mistake on our part, because we are a part of this country, and the solution to our issue is within this country, and America cannot grant us federalism without involving the Syrian regime in the process.
Welat TV: Will Damascus be able to achieve anything for the Kurds given the dire situation it is in, and will Russia or Iran prevent it?
Dr. Salah Darwish: According to the current circumstances, Damascus is currently not ready to resolve the Kurdish issue. I think Iran plays a role in this, and the Syrian regime, if it is looking for stability in the region, must address the Kurdish issue and resolve the internal problems in Syria, including the issue of minorities, the economic situation, and more. Without solutions, Syria will not return to what it was.
Welat TV: The Kurdish parties in Syrian Kurdistan have been disconnected for some time. Where do you think the Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue is heading?
Dr. Salah Darwish: There are some meetings between us as parties, but there is an issue between the Kurdish National Unity Parties and the Kurdish National Council.
Welat TV: Have you developed any vision for reconciliation?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Actually, we would like the two sides to reach an agreement so that the Kurdish movement and cohesion do not remain paralyzed. Both sides are important parties; in order to achieve something for our people and our nation, we must agree and cooperate to return the dialogue between the two sides.
Welat TV: As a neutral party, who do you think is the cause of the disagreement between the two parties?
Dr. Salah Darwish: This question should be directed to the two parties, and we hope that they can reach an agreement. Given the available possibilities to the two sides, they can reach an agreement.
Welat TV: Who is more responsible for the stalled dialogue?
Dr. Salah Darwish: I believe the main reason is the slogans being raised, which do not represent the Kurds of Syria. We have to return our focus to our people and our slogans. The slogans coming from outside create difficulties and obstacles and fuel division among us and prevent any agreement among all currents and parties. We hope to reassess our positions and work seriously and rationally. We hope that we will check our accounts and work seriously and rationally to sit at one table to present the urgent demands of the people and to suggest the doors that need to be knocked to solve the Kurdish issue, and this is the form of movement and action that is required from us today.
Welat TV: Are the big powers and international parties responsible for this situation?
Dr. Salah Darwish: I believe that if the United States was more serious, it could have brought both parties to an agreement, as it did in the Kurdistan region in the past, despite the disagreements and conflicts between the parties at that time. Today, if America has the desire, it could achieve this consensus, but it seems that this is not a priority for America.
Welat TV: Regarding your party, which has currently split into two factions, is there any hope for reconciliation?
Dr. Salah Darwish: I don't completely rule it out, but there are no signs of it happening at the moment. The opposing side does not accept this possibility. We made serious efforts to hold a unified conference, but they obstructed those attempts. We negotiated for two years, but ultimately to no avail. If there were genuine hope for unity, the party would not have divided in the first place.
Welat TV: Is it true that Dr. Salah Darwish wants to join the Kurdish National Council or that their visions are compatible? How true is this?
Dr. Salah Darwish: We were one of the founding members of the Kurdish National Council, and we founded it to meet the demands of the Kurdish people. We were honored when it was established, and we worked under its banner. For some reason, our party decided to leave the Council, regardless of whether it was the right or wrong move, but our ties with the Council are now good, and our views on many issues are similar, and our return to the Council is not now on the agenda.
Welat TV: Have you been asked to rejoin?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Yes, but we haven't decided to return yet.
Welat TV: What is your expected decision?
Dr. Salah Darwish I think that it would be better to create a new form, such as the return of the council from some of its previous issues, such as correcting the mistakes made and studying the reasons for our withdrawal from the council, then we can come together in a framework for the benefit of the Kurdish people.
Welat TV: Were these mistakes organizational or political?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Most of them were organizational, and there were no political disagreements, as we signed our political vision document with the Syrian Coalition.
Welat TV: Was your party satisfied with the content of the document?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Yes, we signed it willingly and were satisfied with its content.
Welat TV: What is your party's relationship with the PYD?
Dr. Salah Darwish: Our relationship with them is good and normal. They can criticize us, and we sometimes criticize them, but we do not create discord or enmity between us.
Welat TV: Is there animosity between the PYD and the Kurdish National Council?
Dr. Salah Darwish: No, all parties today are seeking a solution and are looking for someone who can bring both sides to an agreement. We maintain normal relations with everyone, and to facilitate collaboration, our doors must always be open, even to those who may not politically agree with us.
Welat TV: What are your relations with the Syrian opposition, particularly the coalition?
Dr. Salah Darwish: We do not have direct relations with them; however, we do engage with the moderate opposition both inside and outside of Syria. We are in discussions with various parties, individuals, and groups, and we have established some understandings to navigate the political solution for Syria. Our goal is to work with these parties in the interest of Syria and the Kurdish people.
Welat TV: Do you have meetings with parties outside Syria these days?
Dr. Salah Darwish: I received an invitation from the Moscow and Cairo platforms, and I'm going to attend because there is coordination between them; we are also asked to join them, but after discussing with the leaders of our party, there are many things that must be included in the charter of the organization for us to join the platform, namely that the Kurdish issue and the Kurdish demands are few and absent in the platform, and these demands are the constitutional recognition of the Kurdish people and their legitimate rights protected in the Syrian constitution, and justice for the Kurdish people.
Welat TV: Are you going to Moscow alone, or are there other parties with you?
Dr. Salah Darwish: We were invited alone.
Welat TV: What is your relationship as a progressive party with the Kurdistan Region?
Dr. Salah Darwish: We maintain positive relationships with all political parties in the Kurdistan Region, including those in Iranian Kurdistan and Turkish Kurdistan.
Welat TV: What final thoughts would you like to share?
Dr. Salah Darwish: I hope that the political parties in Syrian Kurdistan can come together to agree on a unified approach to achieve and protect the rights of the Kurdish people in Syria. We will do our utmost to foster unity and inspire hope in the hearts of our people.
