Al-Ahmar outlines Syria's policy in a press conference
Syria, Politics, 6/21/2000

In a press conference held on Tuesday evening at the Damascus Ummayad's conferences hall, in conclusion of the 9th regional congress, the assistant national secretary general of the Baath Arab socialist party Abdullah al-Ahmar said that the congress was convened on June between 17-20 after the loss if the great leader President Hafez al-Assad.

He explained that the 9th congress was proceeded by two steps. The first was elections at the ground level to elect people to be members of the congress. And after preparations were made the reports were submitted to the congress. They are political, economic and organizational. He said that in the opening session of the congress, agreed to its agenda, formed committees which started individual works. He said in the congress the discussions embraced all aspects of life in Syria and all aspect touches our party and country. He said when the committees finished deliberations they submitted recommendations to the congress which put them in their final shape. He said that the first decision taken by the congress is the choice of Bashar al-Assad as a leader of the Baath party and the people. He said that the reason for the choice is to continue the same approach trodden by the late President so as to take the approach of upgrading of our country and party, noting that this was because renewing is our basic principles. And also Bashar al-Assad is the link of the two generations of experience and modernity and youth.

He was brought at the school of the late President Hafez al-Assad and learnt his thinking. Through shouldering many responsibilities Bashar al-Assad showed seriousness and efficiency and people as a result have chosen him spontaneously. So it was natural that Bashar was elected as a member in the Baath party regional leadership.

On the three main reports discussed by the congress, al-Ahmar said the reports discussed concentrating and assessing of the previous stage. He said that during the previous stage we have achievements but also negatives.

He added therefore the congress had referred the points of failure in order to address them and the positive points to concentrate on them. he said it is normal to have achievements to be reflected on the life of people. He said that there were institutions in the country to ensure smooth transitions of the government. Institutions in Syria played their role, things are normal and continuous, no problem at all in performance. he said this transition was done through the Baath party regional leadership, then the Parliament and the Congress helped to ensure smooth transition for a better future for the country.

He said there are many political issues to be addressed. In the ME, especially the peace process, this congress stressed the realization of a just and comprehensive peace based on UN resolutions and the land for peace formula. This requires from Israel to withdraw fully to the line of June 4, 1967. The question of territory and its final status is not subject to negotiations. And this does not mean we want to impose our opinion on others, but to commit to UN resolutions. When Israel is ready to withdraw we will be ready to achieve peace for all in the region.

Concerning the Arab situation, al-Ahmar said Syria is part and parcel of the Arab bloc. Syria is committed to the challenges of development and in the international progress. Syria has always a pioneering role in making a decision in inter-Arab relations. He continued that Syria is an open country believes in interaction. He said No body in the world owns the whole truth.

He said we have our popular democratic system started with the Correctionist movement ( led by late President al-Assad in 1970) and this democracy was laid in the Syrian constitution in 1973. We have pluralism of the political party, and besides social and artistic activities to conducting the affairs of our party and country. This democratic system is designed to suit the life of our people. Each citizen is free to express himself through his own institution.

He said the people's organizations in Syria can speak up their words, we enjoy the excellent national unity that proved stability.

As for Lebanon, al-Ahmar said: We and Lebanon are one people in two independent states. And because of that we corresponded to the Lebanese request in helping them eliminating the civil war and to liberate the occupied land. He added the help and support given by Syria had enabled Lebanon's achievements especially the liberation of South Lebanon.

He said Syria and Lebanon are working in the same track in order to liberate South Lebanon and the Golan. Both countries are together to form the nucleus of the joint Arab states.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Shara: Renewal in Syria is a public call   (6/20/2000)
  9th party regional congress discuss political, economic, organization reports   (6/20/2000)
  Bashar al-Assad confers with Kuwaiti FM, Fe-Arab delegation   (6/19/2000)

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