Larsen's press conference in Damascus
Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/24/2002

In a press conference following his meeting with President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Tuesday, the UN secretary general special envoy to the Middle East Terry Rod Larsen described his talks with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad as constructive, noting that the talks dealt with the deteriorated conditions in the region, especially in the occupied Palestinian territories and means of reviving the peace process.

Larsen said: " I agree with President al-Assad on that it is not possible to find out a solution for security problems without solving the standing political problems. He stressed that there is no peace in the region unless being comprehensive and that Syria is a basic element in that peace.

He added that there is one way to halt violence and eliminate terrorism which is to deal with its roots and political factors that lie behind them.

Replying to a question on what he had seen in Jenin camp, Larsen said that the international community has seen through various TV channels what happened to the camp and that he had earlier described what he had seen and heard as well as smelled in the camp, confirming what he had earlier stated that Jenin camp seemed as if having an earthquake hit the camp.

Larsen indicated the fact finding commission announced by the UN secretary general Kofi Annan to investigate what happened in Jenin camp, stressing he will be happy to play the role of the witness in this committee.

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  'Effective' UN resolution for immediate Israel withdrawal, honoring Geneva convention, or face sanctions   (4/10/2002)
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  Arab League insists on holding int'l conference to implement Geneva convention   (9/8/2001)
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