Qaddoura: People's Assembly received presidential nomination message
Syria, Politics, 6/23/2000

The speaker of Syrian People's Assembly (parliament) on Thursday in a press conference held at the People's Assembly (PA) premises said that the PA received the message of the Baath Party Regional Leadership which provides for nominating Bashar al-Assad, who is also the secretary general of the central committee of the Baath party for the post of President of the Syrian Arab republic.

In the press conference which was attended by Syrian, Arab and foreign media men Qaddoura said that the PA in its Sunday's session will form a special committee including representatives for the Baath ruling party and the parties of the National Progressive Front ( the 6 parties rallied under the name of the NPF together with the Baath party) and other independent activists represented at the PA in order to study " the message" of the Baath party Regional leadership.

Qaddoura said the report of this committee will be submitted to the PA for public debate and discussion to be followed by a vote and then to set a date for the referendum which is expected to be held later.

Replying to a question, the PA speaker said that Lt. Gen. Bashar al-Assad has grown in a house of politicians and fought for the ideas of the Baath party" and is qualified by now to lead the country's march based on certain principles, adding that he proved good results in his practices.

Replying to another question, Qaddoura said that the regional leadership of the Baath party will hold a meeting to distribute responsibilities to the members and to elect a secretary general for the Baath party. In this regard, Qaddoura stressed the renewal made in the Baath party regional leadership was an important indicator on the development within the Baath party itself and through having new " comrades " joining it to continue the march of the party and the people.

As for the coming stage, Qaddoura said that during the 9th congress resolutions and the speech delivered by the secretary general of the Baath party central command Bashar al-Assad, it has become evident that the stage that follows the congress would reflect itself on the internal agenda concerning transparency, shouldering of responsibilities and serious efforts that will have positive reflections on the role played by public on the national level.

On the possibility of having a governmental reshuffle, Qaddoura said that "Usually the changes come after convening a congress for the Baath Party."

Qaddoura blamed the criticism addressed to the Syrian parliament when it amended article 83 of the Syrian constitution to reduce the required minimum age for a President from 40 to 34. Qaddoura stressed that what happened was all according to the Syrian constitution. No violation of the constitution was made as certain sides claimed and the "constitution was not amended within quarter of an hour. Amendment is the right for the two thirds of members of parliament. According to our parliament which has 250 members, some 75 parliament members had the right to ask for the amendment. What we had done ( in amending the constitution) was at a request of 150 parliament members to amend the constitution."

Qaddoura continued: " we have proceeded into necessary constitutional measures. We formed a committee which studied the amendment and approved it and then we meet ( all members of the parliament). The issue of the amendment was debated before all and asked everyone if this amendment should be debated. And had anyone asked for debate, we would have debated. When this amendment was put to a vote, everyone agreed."

On having together the two posts of being a cabinet minister and a member at the Party's regional leadership at the same time, Qaddoura said nothing prevents having the two posts together. He added it has become a tradition since the Baath party had assumed power to have the two posts together.

He explained that the new Baath party regional leadership which was elected at the party 9th regional congress of 21 members including 12 new, including Bashar al-Assad, will hold its first meeting on Saturday ( tomorrow ) to distribute responsibilities on its members.

Previous Stories:
  Official Nomination of Bashar al-Assad for Syria's presidentship set   (6/22/2000)
  Smuggled diesel oil tanks confiscated   (6/22/2000)
  Information minister: Syria clings to national principles   (6/22/2000)

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