Rafif Jouejati

"Day 5 of the Geneva talks: the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) presented to the Assad delegation a vision document calling for a free, democratic Syria. The regime's response: a tirade against the United States and the West in general. This was to be expected, of course, and Bashar Jaafari, the regime's chief negotiator, has been using all the stall tactics at his disposal.

There was much ado about the fact that yesterday there was only one session in the morning. A couple of things to note: first, Lakhdar Brahimi and his team set the age day; and second, I'm sure that when one delegation goes off on a tirade, the chief negotiator will most likely put that delegation in a time-out. You can draw your own conclusions.

Today's talks are supposed to be about going back to the basis of these negotiations: the Geneva 1 Communique, which clearly calls for a transition of power. The issue of Homs is still unresolved, as expected.

Regardless of how the talks go today, or tomorrow, or Friday, we have to recognize that this will be a long process. The dictatorship built over more than four decades will come tumbling down because of one meeting in Geneva. But I truly believe that this is a first step. We are highlighting, every day, the fact that the regime continues to bombard civilian areas despite these talks. Nobody from our side has forgotten those who are suffering.

I'm re-issuing the call for solidarity among members and friends of the Syrian community, particularly in the US. Perhaps we can convene a meeting of the formal organizations and independent activists to agree on a strategy going forward. We all need each other, and as I've said in the past, we don't have to love each other to work together. We have a common goal and a common enemy, so let's join hands and make something positive happen.

Long live Free Syria, long live our people.

** all comments, for and against, are welcome but please maintain professionalism and respect. **"