Syria: exempting TV and radio director, satellite channel from posts
Syria-USA, Politics, 11/28/2002

The Syrian cabinet decided to exempt the director general of the radio and TV establishment Fayez Sayyegh and the director of the Syrian TV satellite station Ala' Nemeh from their post because of broadcasting a TV interview with the American ambassador in Damascus Theodore Qattouf in which he called on Damascus to change its foreign policy.

Well-informed sources in Damascus said that the decision came following the broadcasting, several days ago, of the program ( Trans - Atlantic) which concentrates on the Syrian relations with the US and is presented by anchor Farah Buqa'e.

In this interview, the ambassador spoke, replying to a question put by Buqa'e, on the possibility of maintaining rightful and balanced relations between Syria and the UN under the prevailing complex regional and international conditions by confirming the multilateral ties between the two countries. Qattouf also indicated points of differences between the two countries saying "those who back and support terrorist organizations should know that this will affect the American vision of them, and we have to keep that in mind." Qattouf added that the American president and people will look forward at Syria, hoping that it will reconsider some of its policies, it had pursued in the past, which we think do not serve the Syrian interests, nor the interests of peace. But Syria's voting for the recent UN security council resolution ( no. 1441 concerning Iraq) is a very encouraging position, he said.

Qattouf also called on Syria and Lebanon to play a greater role in fighting terrorism ( including the war against terrorism,) in remarks to the Palestinian organizations and the Hizbullah.

Well-informed sources in Damascus said that the Syrian deputy minister of culture Riad Ismat ( 55 year old) assumed Sayyegh's post.

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