Khaddam meets an Iraqi Tribal Delegation
Syria-Iraq, Politics, 3/1/2004

Syria's Vise-President Abdul Halim Khaddam on Sunday criticized the US initiative for reform in the Middle East saying that this initiative preceded the First World War.

"The door to any kind of cooperation among what they have called the ' Greater Middle East' and any foreign parties is the liquidation of the Israeli occupation and the implementation of the UN resolutions," Khaddam said in a statement to reporters following his meeting with an Iraqi tribal delegation.

In response to a question on the American initiative for the reform of the Middle East, he said that "they proposed this initiative to put an end to violence Éthey believe that what they have called an initiative may bring stability to the region, but they forgot the Israeli violations, crimes and pressures on the Arab countries in an attempt to control the regionÉ Such things constitute a state of tension in the region," he added.

On Denmark's (Moeller's) Initiative, Khaddam stressed that no one can impose anything on the Arab states because reform and development are necessary needs for all the peoples not only for the Arabs.

Regarding his meeting with an Iraqi tribal delegation, Khaddam stressed that members of the Iraqi delegation talked about the suffering of the Iraqi people and the future of Iraq.

He asserted that both sides view points were identical regarding the necessity for regaining Iraq's independence and sovereignty and ending the foreign occupation of Iraq as well as holding election under the supervision of the UN.

On the attempts to develop the Arab League, Khaddam pointed out to the existence of a number of ideas in this regard, indicating that the forthcoming meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers is scheduled to discuss these ideas.

He added that discussing the issue of the development of the Arab League and its charter which was formed at 1945 is an ordinary matter for laying down new basis in order to enhance the Arab cooperation.

He indicated that there are contacts and coordination among Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in this regard.

For his part, Head of the Iraqi delegation Sheikh Rashed Tahan Sarhan, Sheikh of Iraqi al-Mawali Tribe, expressed appreciation over Syria's stance in supporting Iraq to face the internal and external conspiracies. He stressed the deep-rooted relations between Syria and Iraq.

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  Al-Assad receives Iraqi delegation led by governing council member   (1/30/2004)
  Statement of the Iraqi Turkmen's delegation visiting Damascus   (1/16/2004)

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