Syrian opposition turn down Muslim brother's call for dialogue in London
Syria, Politics, 7/29/2002

Groups and factions representing Syrian opposition refused invitations extended by the Muslim brothers group, banned in Syria, to attend a meeting for discussing its "national" charter -- prepared to be a "basic document for a proposed political front" based in London.

Despite the fact that rejection of invitations which were extended personally were varied, however, the main of one main reason seen by local political observers has to do with the way the Muslim brothers group is viewed, and what the group had done during the 1980s in Syria ( in acts of killing and bombarding).

The Muslim brothers organization has extended the invitation to the groups of the political opposition in Syria and "independent figures" to take part in discussing the national charter on August 23 in London, which would follow a discussion of its political report, in the hope to meet with various forces.

On whether invitations were extended to the ruling Baath party or any other party of the National Progressive Front, a well- informed Syrian source said "Invitations were extended to sides which responded and showed readiness for a dialogue."

Leftist analysts doubted the participation of any of the representatives of the Marxist or communist trend "especially those who were released after years of imprisonment and have become of various aims."

Worthy mentioning that the Syrian authorities officially rejected the Muslim brothers charter, and Syrian official sources considered the charter "as an attempt to get out of its bottleneck and to give an impression that a fundamental change has been introduced (within the organization). A move which Syria doubts." The Syrian authorities indicated the rejection of the Muslim brothers to apologize in public for "the crimes and acts of violence committed by the group and claimed the lives of numerous Syrian civilians."

Previous Stories:
  Al-Assad's message to Carlos conveyed by al-Shara   (7/27/2002)
  Al-Turk's trial postponed   (4/29/2002)
  For more political detente in Syria   (12/4/2001)
  Several political detainees released in Syria   (11/27/2001)
  Al-Bayanouni brother returned back to Syria   (9/25/2001)
  Nayouf admitted to a hospital in Paris and vows to return back to Syria   (7/18/2001)
  Muslim brothers group denounces Israeli aggression against Syrian forces   (4/18/2001)
  Muslim brothers back the 1000 Syrian intellectual statement   (1/16/2001)
  Some 17 political prisoners from the 'liberation party' released in Syria   (11/1/2000)
  Syrian Muslim brothers call on President al-Assad to open a new page   (10/12/2000)
  Syrian Muslim Brothers media office in Amman closed off   (2/9/2000)

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