Moussa: threats do not frighten us, we back Syria
Egypt-Syria, Politics, 10/9/2000

The Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and his Egyptian counterpart Amr Moussa on Sunday held a press conference before Moussa left Damascus, at the airport.

Replying to a question on Barak's repeated accusations against Syria for being responsible for the escalation in South lebanon and what is Syria's reaction to this escalation, al-Shara said: " the Israeli accusations are totally rejected because they are groundless, but are only based on the Israeli aggressive attitude. We have thought we passed (through) this phase ( of Israel's aggressiveness ) but regrettably it was found out that aggressiveness is a trait which was practiced by Israel in the West bank, Gaza and in particular in Jerusalem and resulted in many casualties. We had hopes that matters would not have reached such a level of intransigence and racism."

Replying to a question on expected escalation in Lebanon, al-Shara said: " we always expect escalation but the one responsible for the escalation is Israel and not the Lebanese side nor the Lebanese resistance nor Syria. No one of us wants to launch a war. We have repeatedly announced that."

Replying to a question on how Damascus will answer if Israel will carry out its threats, he added " we are steadfast and the Lebanese people have proven a high fighting ability and if Israel wants to prove its aggressive attitude it will be the looser in the ultimate end."

For his part Minister Moussa said replying to a question on the results of talks he held on Sunday: " the results were good and there is a full agreement in the view points between Syria and Egypt and between President Bashar al-Assad and President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak concerning the Arab summit and preparation for it."

Moussa added " preparations for this summit which will be held on October 21 will continue in consultation between me and Mr al-Shara as well as the Arab foreign ministers in preparations for the summit."

Talks totally dealt with the summit and good preparations for it. Replying to another question on the EU position over developments in the region and his meeting with the EU envoy Moratinos, Moussa said " the European position is very acceptable towards the recent events taking place in the occupied Arab territories, on the Lebanese- Israeli borders and the threats against Syria, Lebanon and the Arab states."

Mousa continued " Moratinos expressed to me his wonder over the rapid deterioration of conditions and that there are limits that can not be violated."

Answering a question on Egypt's position towards Israel if it will carry out its threats against Syria, Moussa said: " if Israel carries out its threats, President Mubarak said on Sunday that if an aggression is made against Syria, Egypt will have a one stand with Syria. This is one say that we will cling to."

Moussa left Damascus later in the day following a short visit o Damascus.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Shara discusses with Moussa Arab summit date   (10/6/2000)
  Mubarak, al-Assad call for convening an Arab summit   (10/3/2000)
  Al-Assad, Mubarak's summit in Cairo   (10/2/2000)

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