Al-Assad interview to the German daily Der Spiegel
Syria-Regional, Politics, 7/9/2001

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had an interview with the German daily "Der Spiegel" in which he tackled developments in the region and Syria's position concerning the "aggressive Israeli escalation, her commitment to just and comprehensive peace, according to international legitimacy resolutions and the Madrid's conference terms of reference."

He started his interview saying:" doubtless, Sharon and his government are seeking clearly and openly to launch a war." He stressed that the Syrian stand is clear towards following up the negotiations according to UN resolutions, the UN Security Council and the Madrid's terms of reference which means trading land for peace" because the lands in the peace process are un-bargained and UN resolutions guarantee our rights to these lands and to restoring them back."

He noted replying to a question, " there is a difference between peace and the peace process. The peace process is the main title. It has two elements. Land and peace. The land is one integrated element. Its borders are clear for all of us and for the international community. Peace is composed of several elements including the waters, the relations, security and other issues. All these elements are subjected to negotiations after settling the issue of full restoration of the lands." He added:" we have not changed our position. We want peace. We have interests in making peace. Sharon seeks to push the region into war."

"Since Syria's strategy is a strategy of peace, then it is natural we will not be driven to war, but certainly if war will be imposed on us we will not escape it. Being not dragged to war does not mean we will keep silent over Israel's practices. There are numerous means that are more painful for Israel than war and Syria owns many of these means."

Replying to another question on the presence of the Syrian forces in Lebanon and the activities of the Lebanese national resistance, the President said "we have a declared stand.We do not support Hizbullah in its being a party, it represents a Lebanese case and we do support this cause. There are occupied territories in Lebanon and we are with Lebanon in restoring back these territories. It is not the mission of the Syrian army to prevent the activities of the national resistance because it is basically convinced that Hizbullah is doing the right job which is resistance to restore back the lands."

The President highlighted the situation in Syria. He said:" we in Syria carry out what can achieve prosperity together with social justice. We have set the developmental principles by two main basic principles: increasing work opportunities and improving the living conditions. And we support everything that contributes to the realization of these two objectives."

He concluded as saying that the aim of his visits to Europe is to develop bilateral cooperation and revitalizing the European role " in our region."

Previous Stories:
  Al-Assad gets a phone call from Mubarak, Lahoud on Israeli aggressions   (7/2/2001)
  Al-Assad confers with Annan   (6/15/2001)
  Al-Shara, Annan discuss ME developments   (6/14/2001)

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