Al-Jaafari: Pluralism approached in presidential elections main axis of democracy

New York, (SANA) – Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari held on Thursday a joint press conference with the U.S. team that covered the presidential elections process in Syria held on 3rd of the current month.

Dr. al-Jaafari said that the elections took into account the international criteria and the principle of pluralism, which has not been witnessed since 1960’s of the past century, pointing out that pluralism is considered according to the western standards as the main axis of democracy.

Judy Bello, a writer and antiwar activist from Upstate New York city talked about her participation in covering the presidential elections with the aim of getting deep knowledge about the impact of the war backed by the West on Syria, hailing the great response of the Syrians to the event.

She considered that the high turnout of voters inside and outside Syria has directed a strong message by the Syrian people to the world where they expressed their loyalty to their country and government, which is protecting them now.

For his part, Joe Losbaker, an antiwar activist from Chicago clarified that the Syrian people are inspired and they are steadfast in the face of war that has been caused by the USA and its allies.
Meeting some Syrian students, Losbaker said he grasped their conviction that the Syrian people will rebuild their country all over again.

Paul Larudee, a former state consultant from north California, said that he covered the elections in Homs province, which has witnessed a high turnout, despite all threats and attacks launched by “the armed opposition”.

Jane Stillwater, a freelancer and war correspondent during the U.S. invasion to Iraq, said that she covered the elections in the southern province of Sweida, pointing out that there was a feeling of security enough for holding elections.

International Action Center activist Scott Williams said that he covered the elections in the country, visiting a number of polling centers in Sweida.

He described the elections as an expression of the free will of the Syrian people unlike the fake elections held in the region and in the west, adding that the high turnout of voters reached 73% and that proves how millions of Syrians want peace, democracy and sovereignty.