Members of Syrian opposition SNC reacts to conference

• published: 30 Jul 2015
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1. Wide pan of media centre at so-called Friends of Syria conference 2. Set-up Adib Shishakly, member of Syrian National Council (SNC), speaking 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Adib Shishakly, member of Syrian National Council: "The SNC is the political arm of the Syrian revolution. The demand on the street is protecting the civilians. If we don't hear such a strong statement and a deadline, I don't think we accomplished anything today." 4. Close-up of name tag and hands 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Adib Shishakly, member of Syrian National Council: "That was our request. We stated as an SNC to pay all the defected members of the army and we asked several countries for supporting such a fund financially. We are still in talks with many countries. Gulf countries can be a partner in that fund." 6. Pan of media centre STORYLINE: Representatives of the Syrian National Council said on Sunday that they hoped to hear a "strong statement and a deadline" by countries participating in the so-called Friends of Syria conference. The conference - in the Turkish city of Istanbul and which representatives of 60 nations are attending - aims to further isolate President Bashar Assad's government and bolster a divided Syrian opposition. Speaking to the Associated Press on the sidelines of the conference, SNC member Adib Shishakly said their primary concern is the protection of civilians - and that if they don't hear a "such a strong statement" or deadline following Sunday's meeting then "I don't think we accomplished anything today." Shishakly also said the SNC has requested assistance in funding military defectors in the hope of undermining Assad's forces. "We are still in talks with many countries," he said. "Gulf countries can be a partner in that fund." The large-scale plan to help Syria's badly overmatched rebels offers a solution to the international divide over whether to arm the rebels or support them through only non-lethal or humanitarian means. It also reflects frustration with months of failed diplomacy aimed at pressuring Assad to stop his crackdown on dissent, as well as hopes of forcing his ouster by shifting the military balance on the ground. The Saudis and other Arab Gulf states have proposed giving weapons to the rebels, while the US and other allies, including Turkey, have balked out of fear of fuelling an all-out civil war. Washington hasn't taken any public position on the fund, but it appears that it has given tacit support to its Arab allies. The salaries would aim to entice reluctant servicemen in Assad's military to break ranks and join the insurgency. With Syria's economy in a spiral, the Syrian opposition and US and Arab officials hope soldiers will desert in large numbers and accelerate the downfall of the Assad regime. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/0339a769299d7dc2e0ddd818130b7496 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork