Al-Shara meets with Journalists on developments in the region
Syria-Regional, Politics, 7/27/2004

Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday reiterated Syria's support to the unity of Iraqi people and land and the restoration of sovereignty as well as ending the occupation as part of a process to rebuild the country's institutions by all Iraqis.

In an extensive dialogue with Damascus-based journalists and correspondents of Arab and foreign news agencies on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of Syrian Journalists Day, Minister al-Shara said relations with any Iraqi government should be based on those foundations which reflect the aspirations of the Iraqi people.

The Minister pointed out that "Iraq constitutes a strategic depth for Syria in as much Syria does to IraqÉ.we suffered from the absence of sound relations between the two sisterly countries, and we are now trying to correct the course of those relations as you noticed during the latest visit of Iraqi Premier Iyad Allawi to Damascus." On the reported allegations of infiltrations through the Syrian-Iraq borders, al-Shara said that " this issue entails a great deal of fabrications and aims at blocking the establishment of Syrian-Iraqi relations." He reiterated Syria's care for Iraq's security and stability, and readiness to help establish that aim as well as the establishment of strong, advanced and long-term relations with Iraq.

On the Syrian-American relations, the Foreign Minister said the dialogue with the U.S. hasn't stopped, pointing out to the importance of establishing balanced relations based on mutual respect.

The Foreign Minister expressed Damascus' support to Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and internal options, stressing that Syrian policy is based on the statements of President Bashar al-Assad in this regard.

He added that "we welcome the latest statements by the U.S. President George W. Bush on Lebanon if they mean this directionÉbecause our aim has always been to relieve Lebanon from foreign occupation and Israeli hegemony." On the Syrian-European partnership, al-Shara expressed Syria's desire to boost relations with the EU and reach an agreement of association as soon as possible for the benefit of the two sides.

He pointed out that any talks about the elimination of the weapons of mass destruction should be comprehensive and balanced and not at the expense of any party.

The Foreign Minister cited in this regard the Syrian initiative on freeing the Middle East from all the WMD.

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