Security system is core issue, one activist says<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
(CNN)<\/b> — Syrian opposition activists have told CNN that contacts have begun with the government to try to agree on drastic reforms in Syria. They say the contacts are being made through mediators within and outside Syria.<\/p>\n
“As a first step, we want the regime to dissolve the security apparatus, amend the constitution and form committees to investigate corruption and the killing of protesters,” one of the activists said.<\/p>\n
He described changes made so far by the regime, such as the resignation of the prime minister and his cabinet Tuesday, as “superficial.”<\/p>\n
He said President Bashar al-Assad was expected to make the following announcements when he addresses the nation Wednesday:<\/p>\n
— Lifting the emergency law that’s been in place since 1963;<\/p>\n
— Changing the political parties law to allow opposition parties and end one-party rule in Syria;<\/p>\n
— Establishing committees to investigate deaths during recent unrest;<\/p>\n
— Other constitutional reforms.<\/p>\n
In return, the activist said, the government wanted the opposition to withdraw from the streets and give the new government six months to implement reforms. But such demands were unacceptable, he said.<\/p>\n
The opposition activist said he was authorized by others in Syria’s emerging but largely anonymous opposition movement to talk with the media. CNN was unable to confirm immediately with the government whether the contacts described were taking place.<\/p>\n
But another opposition figure said the core issue was the security apparatus. “We want the regime to dissolve this apparatus and create a new security system,” he told CNN. “High-ranking security generals have terrorized, tortured and killed Syrian civilians …We want these people to go.”<\/p>\n
He added: “I am, like the March 18th opposition, keen on making this work … We do not want bloodshed and we are honest about negotiation attempts with the regime.”<\/p>\n
The March 18th movement was a spontaneous one “representing liberals, conservatives, Christians, Sunnis, Alawites,” he said, and was “not related to Muslim Brotherhood nor the traditional Syrian opposition in any way.”<\/p>\n
Some opposition activists use nicknames, non-Syrian phones and move in and out of the country to avoid Syrian security services. CNN is unable to confirm whether the activists’ comments are representative of other opposition figures.<\/p>\n
One of the activists contacted by CNN said the opposition did not trust the regime to deliver on its promises. He said it suspected the government would replace the emergency law with terrorism law.<\/p>\n
“The word terrorism covers a very wide range of topics that allows the security forces to arrest anyone, including opinion leaders and opposition members,” he said.<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
Continued here:
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