US Congressman: I highly appreciate pioneering experience in northeastern Syria

AKRAM BARAKAT / NEWS DESK

The US Congressman Thomas Alexander Garrett, who visited northeastern Syria, made a brief statement about the democratic experience in the area and conveyed his views to the people, the US Command and Congress during a dialogue held by ANHA.

The following is the text of the dialogue:

What motivated you to visit the areas of northeastern Syria?

We feel that the US policy is making mistakes sometimes, and we believe that we must enter into the northeast of Syria, understand the positive role of the Autonomous Administration and see it with our own eyes and that is the message I must return with to Washington today, and I hope we will not make mistakes in the future.

North Syria's people have been struggling since 7 years for their freedom and fighting IS' gangs on behalf of the whole world, but so far, the world countries have not considered the presence of this people. In your opinion, why?

I respect what the people of northeast Syria have done, and the reason for the visiting is to open the door for America to recognize the existence of this people who are struggling for their rights. There are many things to consider. The priorities of the US foreign policy in the Middle East are to respect human rights, common values and equality. In addition, the United States concerns about what Iran, Turkey and Russia are doing in the area. I personally highly appreciate the pioneering experience in northeastern Syria and we have to deal with the northeast of Syria seriously. When I return, I will talk to my friends about what I have seen in North-East Syria.

There is an alliance between SDF's fighters and the Global Coalition, but whenever SDF defeat IS' gangs in a specific area, Turkey launches attacks on northeastern Syria. How do you see these attacks and why did the NATO Forces of which you are part did not move?

To me, I am very frustrated by what is going on in the area, especially what Turkey is doing by targeting our allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). If I had the decision, I would been cut off the relations with Turkey, but I defend the general politics' decisions of my country and this means that my policy decisions are mine, but my country is deeply frustrated by Turkey's violation of human rights. I call upon my country to take care of this area, its democratic experience and the great sacrifices made by SDF in order to eliminate IS' gangs . We are also concerned about Russia's role in the area and I salute the sacrifices made by the forces represented by SDF. I was a soldier when I was young, and many of our young men and women sacrificed their lives for a better life for our society and therefore, we have to appreciate the sacrifices which are made by SDF.

North Syria's people respect the American support to SDF who defended their homeland and expressed their indignation about a statement issued by the Coalition and America regarding the Turkish attacks. What do you say about that?

I think there is a big responsibility for the United States and it must be more serious about what Turkey is doing; targeting the areas of northeastern Syria. Erdogan is fighting human rights, and we saw with our own eyes what the cameras depicted when Erdogan's guards attacked the anti-Erdogan's policy protesters and that during Erdogan's visit to the United States.  It is frustrating.

The United States committed many mistakes at the beginning of the Syrian civil war. First, we had to support SDF who are still making brave resistance against IS' gangs, support those respectable women represented by YPJ who have fought for their country and support the Autonomous Administration in north-east Syria which is a new experience that respects religions and human rights.

Many political analysts say that the United States must show its attitudes firmly towards the area?

There are 435 members in the House of Representatives and 100 members in the Senate. I represent myself and I come to my own expense. My opinion is that the politics in our country is a fierce game among many forces so I came here to see everything with my own eyes, tell my friends what I saw and tell them the truth. I will do my best to deliver what I saw.

I love my country, but it is not perfect. Perhaps this is my goal in order to make my country ideal. I hope in the future that mistakes committed by my country would not be repeated.

The US Defense Secretary announced that America will deploy surveillance posts on the border to prevent breaking out clashes between SDF's fighters and the Turkish occupation. How do you see this step?

I do not know much about this decision, but I support the idea of existing joint observation points between US forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces SDF in the area.

Tomas Alexander Garrett is an American politician and former prosecutor, the representative of the United States in the fifth office of the Congress in Virginia and republican. Garrett has been previously represented the canton 22 in the Senate in Virginia and the member of the US House of Representatives from the fifth canton of Virginia.

(T/S)

ANHA