Kurds back federalism plan

GENEVA: Kurdish officials in the main Syrian opposition bloc at peace talks in Geneva said on Wednesday they backed the idea of an autonomous political federation in northern Syria, but dismissed as illegal PYD Kurds moves to seek autonomy.

The PYD and its powerful YPG military wing control three provinces in the north of the country and have declared they would push for a vote to unite the areas in a federal system that appears aimed at creating a self-run entity within Syria.

That initiative drew rebukes from the Damascus government, neighbouring power Turkey and Washington.

It could also further complicate UN-backed peace talks where the PYD have not been invited.

Abdul Hakim Bachar, a Kurdish representative of the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), which includes three Kurdish negotiators, told reporters that Syria would need federalism in the future.

"I believe federalism will be best solution for Syria because of the disputes the regime has created between the Syrian people," he said.

"I think it’s the best solution." However, he said it had to be decided only once President Bashar al-Assad had stepped aside and that the Syrian people as a whole had been consulted.

"We would pressure to have a federal state at that time, but the federal area announced now (by the PYD) is not agreed among the people," Bachar said.

"It will make public opinion work against the Kurds, because we have always been seen as separatists and this decision will reinforce this vision."