Damascus: US threats are cover to American problems in Iraq
Syria-USA, Politics, 4/17/2003

Syria yesterday replied to the American threats against it and considered it as aiming to "cover the difficulties the USA is facing in Iraq," noting simultaneously that dialogue is continuous with Washington.

Meantime, and at an Arab support, Syria proposed to the UN Security Council a draft resolution calling for eliminating all mass destruction weapons in the middle East including the nuclear weapons of Israel.

Meanwhile, the American 6th fleet yesterday announced it maintains a strong naval deployment in the East of the Mediterranean. The spokesman for the American 6th fleet Bob Ross at the headquarters of the fleet in Napoli, Italy said that the fleet enjoys a great presence in the East Mediterranean and "we are ready to intercept ships if this is will be necessary."

When he was asked about the possibility that Iraqi officials will flee via sea from Syria or Lebanon, the American military spokesman "we monitor the ships." In an interview by the radio service SBS owned by the Australian government, the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara said replying to a question on the American allegations against Syria that Syria is ready to sign a treaty for making the Middle East as a whole free from mass destruction weapons, nuclear, chemical or biological.

Green-lighted by the Arab group, the Syrian representative at the UN Mikhael Wahba proposed a draft resolution calling on the UN to make the Middle East a zone free from mass destruction weapons, especially the nuclear weapons, according to the draft which was circulated yesterday at the members of the UN security council during a close door session.

Wahba stressed that Israel is the only country in the Middle East which did not sign treaties and agreements pertaining to the mass destruction weapons in the region. The text of the Syrian proposal which is supported by all Arab states will be discussed at the level of experts of the Security Council member states before voting.

In a statement to al-Arabiya TV, the Syrian foreign minister said that the American's aim from " the threats against Syria is to cover the difficulties and obstacles they are facing in Iraq." He added "no body believe these allegations and accusations."

The Syrian minister said that these weapons are not just a "deal of fruits and vegetable to be transported as simple as that -- to Syria."

Al-Shara, however, is scheduled to pay today ( Thursday ) a visit to Cairo in order to hold talks with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at a time when the political advisor for the American presidency Osama al-Baz ruled out a US war against Syria. Al-Baz said "What is taking place now aims at pressuring Syria for certain purposes." He accused the "Israeli circles" of fabricating stories and lies against Syria to force it to give certain political concessions for Israel.

The spokeswoman for the Syrian foreign ministry Butheina Shabaan announced that Damascus is ready to collaborate with Washington for the interests of the people of Iraq. She added that the US President George Bush said he wants cooperation from the Syrian side, adding that Syria will always cooperate in matters serving the interests of the Iraqi people. She continued that "diplomatic channels are quite and constructive much more than is depicted by the mass media." She said that the two countries are running a constructive and calm discussion concerning these issues now and for several years and there is nothing new in the recent American accusations.

She said that Syria will welcome any visit to be held by the US Secretary of State Colin Powell. She said that "the door is not completely closed" between Syria and the USA. She added that "the dialogue is continuous and we are discussing every thing," adding that periodical meetings are held between the Syrian deputy foreign minister Walid al-Mu'allim and the American ambassador in Damascus Theodore Qattouf who visits al-Mu'allim every two days.

She stressed that the offices of the Palestinian groups existed in Damascus are media offices. She continued "these are press offices which have the right to self expression which I think is a right guaranteed also in the USA."

Previous Stories:
  Syrian Cabinet rejects US accusations as threats fueled by Israel   (4/16/2003)
  Rumsfeld stops Iraqi oil pipeline, Damascus for end to occupation, Sharon uses US threats against Syria   (4/16/2003)
  US threats against Syria continues violation of United Nations charter   (4/15/2003)

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