Russian president meets with Khaddam
Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/16/2003

Russian President, Vladimir Putin received yesterday in Moscow Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam.

At the beginning of the meeting, Khaddam delivered President Putin a message from President Bashar al-Assad.

During the meeting, President Putin underlined that the Syrian-Russian relations are old and strong in all fields and recently acquired more importance in light of the prevailing situation in the Middle East and Iraq.

The Russian president also stressed the importance of dialogue and improving relations with Syria in all fields, citing the importance of political cooperation and coordination between Syria and Russia and called for reaching highest levels of cooperation.

For his part, Khaddam affirmed that the cooperation between the two countries would be for the interests of both countries and that relations between them have helped a great deal in international detente. He stressed that Syria pays great importance for improving bilateral cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the Russian Foreign Minister, President Putin's Political Affairs Assistant, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Middle East and North African Department, Syrian Ambassadors to Moscow and the Russian ambassador to Damascus.

Meantime, Syria's Vice President, Abdul Halim Khaddam, stressed yesterday that "reviving the Syrian-Russian relations" is the main issue to be discussed with President Vladimir Putin.

In a interview with the First Channel of the Russian TV, Khaddam asserted that talks will deal with the international situation, stressing that the Iraqi issue and the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian People top the agenda of discussion.

He underlined that the dangerous consequences of a military action against Iraq will affect the region and international peace and stability.

Khaddam reminded that 90% of the UN Security Council resolutions during the period from 1948 to 1967 condemn Israel's aggression on Syria's lands and that many Israeli leaders admit, in their autobiographies, that Israel was planning to occupy Syria's lands as well as finding a pretext to occupy Golan Heights.

"Israel resorted to demagogic pretext to continue its occupation of the Golan Heights and we are confident that this occupation end," Khaddam stressed.

Previous Stories:
  Khaddam conveys a message from al-Assad to Putin   (1/15/2003)
  Syrian Vice President to convey al-Assad's message to Putin   (1/14/2003)
  Russian Party officials outlines conditions in the region   (12/27/2002)

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