Democratic Union Party (PYD) co-chair Saleh Moslem stressed that it was not only Turkey but also some other forces that didn't want the participation of Kurds in the Geneva-3 meeting to avoid their attainment of political status. He underlined that those disapproving PYD's presence in Geneva talks wanted to seek a political solution for Syria together with the groups bearing ISIS mentality.

Moslem spoke to ANF regarding the details of the Geneva-3 Conference in search of a solution to the crisis in Syria, and their stance towards the talks.

Everyone has taken your participation in Geneva-3 for granted. Was your exclusion a last-minute decision?

We cannot say that it was an entirely last-minute decision, but the situation wasn't very clear in advance. Yet, everyone was expecting our participation as many circles agreed on the fact that Kurds, mainly PYD and Autonomous Administration, were definitely needed at the table for the achievement of a political resolution for Syria, and that such a force and system in Syria couldn't go ignored. The organizers of these talks are still telling the same thing. Yet, we knew already in advance that this issue would still be made a matter of negotiation.

To the sides we have held talks with, we have been telling since the very beginning that we need to take part in these talks. Those who would thus far defend that our participation was not necessary are now saying that our presence as of the first day would cause a huge conflict. For this reason, they say we will be included not in the first place but later on.

Our participation in Geneva-3 talks is not completely off the agenda now. However, it is not clear when and how they will include us. They say they are waiting in terms of timing. UN officials dealing with this matter said this decision goes beyond their authorities. We thus understand that there is a power and plan greater than the United Nations that hinders our participation.

So can we say that your participation is promised?

We will see. We address our remarks to the UN rather than states themselves.

Your exclusion is greatly attributed to Turkey's attitude. How would you comment on this?

It was not only Turkey. There were some other forces that didn't want our inclusion in this process, because an invitation to us would mean a political recognition of our side. There are other major forces that do not want to recognise the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Rojava. Turkey's attitude is based on the same stance and Kurdish phobia anyway. They are against us.

Some circles stand against our participation over concerns that Kurds will attain political status in the event of joining Geneva-3 talks. Another reason for their objection is related with the democratic system we have built in the region. The existence and embracement of this system by the peoples is not welcomed by many circles. They are creating an obstacle in order to avoid the recognition of this system. Forces gathering over these two issues have united against us. In other words, those who want to obviate a Kurdish status and recognition of the system built by Kurds.

They continue to refuse us for 5 years now, and they want to make other circles an instrument to this objection. Some are calling us an "ally of the regime", while others label us "terrorist". They have resorted to various ways to break the Kurdish will and their system that offers a future to the peoples. The aggression on Kobanê was also a consequence of this mentality. Yet, everyone has seen and understood very well by now that this system and will cannot be destroyed. Still, they insist on hindering the recognition of this will and system.

Do these circles include Russia and the U.S. in addition to regional forces?

It doesn't make a big difference to Russia and the U.S. which system will be implemented in Syria. Still, they must definitively have some plans on it. The existence and power of Kurds has revealed and proved itself in the Middle East today. Everyone should see and recognise this power. If these forces mean to fight terrorism, they cannot ignore this power. A system and will embraced by 40 million Kurds can no more be ignored by anyone. They cannot ignore this power anyway, which is why they are aware of the need to find a way out. In consideration of this truth, we say that they will have to accept us. It is mainly regional forces that resist us most, led by Turkey, Saudis, Syrian Regime and Iran.

Could you talk a bit about a series of talks you had with the U.S. and Russian delegation in Geneva?

I cannot tell all the details but in general terms, both sides told us "Be patient for some time. This process can by no means make a progress without Kurds. You will definitively take part in talks, but timing is important."

What was your answer towards the probability of an invitation to your side?

We told that we needed to be present in talks from the beginning, and that we wouldn't recognise the decisions made during talks that would exclude us.

Why have the UN, US and Russia connived at the invitation to Geneva-3 of other forces that are not embraced by any circle in Syria?

They are in search of a way out. The conflict in Syria has also become entangled in Europe, US and everywhere else, which therefore requires an absolute resolution.

Will a resolution be achieved with groups called terrorists?

Not, of course. However, this situation will give a headache to Kurds most. The attacks conducted by some groups invited to Geneva-3 against our side are already known to everyone. We will tell about it.

You are engaged in an alliance with the U.S. and Russia on the ground. Why do these powers stay back in Geneva-3 matter while they already recognise you in military aspect?

True. They do not want to recognise us politically anyway. In other words, they do not want to see us as a political representation. This attitude, which speaks of democracy and human values in the region but ignores the only democratic force of the region, is not right. There is no other side other than us to defend secularism, human values and democracy in Geneva talks. No opposition group invited to Geneva defends the values we defend. Democratization cannot be achieved with those bearing an Islamic state mindset. We are the only force defending democracy. Our absence at the table of talks will end up in contrary decisions.

They are fighting terrorist forces together with you, but on the other hand invite circles close to the mindset they are fighting, while you are not invited. Isn't this interesting? Doesn't it actually express the current situation?

Right, this is exactly what is happening now. We have highlighted this issue also during the talks we had with some circles which, however, consider these invited groups a bit moderate, which actually means a bit more moderate than ISIS. This is an approach like 'they are beheading and killing people but not doing this before cameras'.

Those vowing to sit out Geneva talks in the event of our participation are actually engaged in blackmailing over these groups with an aim to hinder us upon the leaking of information on our inclusion in the meeting.

What will a Geneva-3 without Kurds mean?

In the event of excluding us, the most effective force since the beginning, Geneva-3 will also end up like Geneva-2 since when numerous people have died amid an ongoing conflict. The same situation will continue in such a case.

You've said you will not recognise it?

Right, we do not have to recognise the decisions to be made at a meeting that excludes us. We can only accept these decisions in the event that we take part in talks.

Turkey has made huge efforts to obstruct your participation in Geneva-3. You had previously met Turkish officials. What did you speak then and what has happened now?

We voiced good-will during our talks with Turkey. We have never perpetrated any wrongdoing against the Turkish people, nor will we do ever in consideration of the historic ties between the peoples. However, AKP poisons everything. There existed very good opportunities when we met 4 years ago. If those opportunities had been welcomed, Turkey wouldn't end up in the current situation now.

We can't achieve unilaterally the fraternity and friendship that Turkish officials had talked about but didn't fulfill because they didn't want to recognise us politically.