Al-Assad - Blair meet on bilateral issues
Syria-UK, Politics, 12/17/2002

"No one is seeking war, anybody who looks for war as a goal in itself is psychologically ill'' Syria's President Bashar Assad said yesterday in London.

In a joint press conference with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, President al-Assad asserted that his talks with Blair were realistic and constructive and focused on Iraq, the Middle East peace process and terrorism.

President Assad reiterated Syria's rejection of terrorism stressing that Syria has been combating terrorism for decades.

Regarding the so-called supporting terrorism groups, President al-Assad said "In Syria we don't have what is called groups supporting terrorism, we have press offices that express the opinions of the Palestinians inside Palestine and outside Palestine." Regarding Iraq, he said that he is optimistic and cited the good cooperation from the Iraqi government with the international inspectors and hoped that this cooperation would continue until the crisis is solved peacefully.

Al-Assad mentioned that what he and Blair focused on, during their meeting, was the implementation of the UN and the Security Council resolutions regarding different issues.

For his part, Blair described his talks with al-Assad as "good and interesting adding that he discussed with President al-Assad the international situation.'' Blair pointed out that it is important to open dialogue with Syria because Syria plays an important role in establishing a stable peace in the region.

Blair added that the process of engagement with Syria is the right way forward.

Regarding the peace process in the Middle East, Blair said "we have to do everything we can to push forward the peace process in the Middle East.'' Earlier in the day, President al-Assad held a meeting with Blair at the Prime Minister's 10 Downing Street residence. The meeting was joined later by the Syrian Foreign Minister, Economy Minister, Communications Minister, Foreign Media Director, and the Syrian Ambassador to London and from the British side by the Foreign Minister.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Assad, wife Arrived in London   (12/16/2002)
  Syrian information minister's briefing on al-Assad's visit to london   (12/16/2002)
  Al-Assad's interview with the British 'the Times' on Syria's policy   (12/14/2002)

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