Al-Shara; Larsen hold joint press conference
Syria-UN, Politics, 4/4/2005

UN Secretary General Special Envoy to the Middle East Terje Roed Larsen said on Sunday that he Syrian government informed him that Syria will withdraw all its troops as well as security bodies from Lebanon by the 30th of April 2005.

In a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara, Larsen underlined that this step comes within the framework of al-Taif Accord as well as UN 1559 resolution.

The UN envoy, who is visiting Syria, pointed out that he agreed with the Syrian government on sending a UN team to verify Syria's full withdrawal from Lebanon " but that will be with the acceptance of the Lebanese government."

"There is a joint understanding between the Syrian government and the United Nation regarding fulfilling the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon in a way that guarantees security and stability in both countries," he confirmed.

Larsen, who delivered President Bashar al-Assad a letter from the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, described his talks with both President al-Assad and Foreign Minister al-Shara as " marked with a high-spirit of cooperation which is based on exchanged commitment to the joint aims that both sides are seeking for." The special envoy dismissed that any international troops will be sent to Lebanon after the Syrian withdrawal from there saying that " this is a theoretical possibility which is not presented on the agenda of the UN."

Larsen reasserted that the UN is continuing in implementation of all the UN Security Council resolutions that would best ensure stability and security in Syria, Lebanon as well the region as a whole.

For his part, Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara said: " by the Syrian troops withdrawal from Lebanon Syria will have implemented the part which is relating to her regarding the UN 1559 Resolution." Al-Shara described as "Historic and geographic relations of various economic, social, cultural and security dimensions" the Syrian-Lebanese relations adding that they are based on national and pan-Arab feelings.

" Syria and Lebanon maintain close ties that can't be annulled neither by withdrawal of the Syrian forces nor by incitement for the purpose of separation of the Syrian Lebanese relations." On Lebanese elections Al-Shara said: " We support those elections to be held in its set time which is agreed upon by all Lebanese." "What Syria has been done in various domains and issues that are in the interest of security and stability of the region is a true and correct work that expresses the profound credibility of Syria's policy in the region and abroad." Al-Shara added.

"Syria believes that the Arab Peace Initiative approved at Beirut's Summit in 2002 is very important for the upcoming stage as the only formula for the realization of the just and comprehensive peace in the region, Syria's support to this initiative is un-doubtful." Al-Shara indicated.

He emphasized that the Israeli rejection to the initiative is not because it is an Arab initiative but because Israel rejects the peace idea so it has rejected even the US initiatives and Madrid Peace Conference.

" Up till now we didn't feel complete seriousness by Israel to establish the just and comprehensive peace in the RegionÉIsrael is the party who hinders the achievement of this noble aim." On the Syrian-US relations after implementation of the UN 1559 Resolution Al-Shara said: " We, in Syria are from states that are more committed to the international legitimacy.. some peoples say why the international legitimacy doesn't apply but on Arab ? Why it doesn't apply on Israel and I think the UN shares us this opinion whether they announce that or notÉ I would to be optimistic and consider the last pretexts must be removed to eliminate any misunderstanding between Syria and the U.S. or any incitement against Syria by the others." On the possibility of a better international climate after the Syrian troops pull out from Lebanon, Al-Shara replied: " If the international legitimacy is respected by all parties and states particularly the supreme powers, if there is a commitment with the UN charter particularly by the U.S. and the UN Security Council and if there is a public political desire to implement all of the UN and Security Council resolutions particularly regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict, then I would feel that there is no need to lessen the importance of stability in the Middle East, on contrary there would be a new, thriving secure and stable Middle East." Regarding timing calls for unilateral peace after the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, the Foreign Minister said that this proves the doubts existing in many Lebanese circles, denoting that Israeli is provoking the others to take decisions that lead to separate the Arabs and create sedition inside every Arab country in order to get far away from peace.

"I can't imagine that the other side, whatsoever its power and arrogance, can impose a one side peace on Syria or Lebanon, al-Shara said, stressing that the Syrian and Lebanese tracks are committed by the virtue of history, geography and social facts." The Minister stressed, during the conference, that no one can believe that Lebanon will start a one-side peace while Syria is out of it noting that "it is a fact which will be proved by the near and far future."

As for the Syrian-Lebanese relations and how they will continue after implementing al-Taif Accord and in the light of the other agreements signed between the two countries, al-Shara asserted that the relations will go on as the two governments agreed on before.

"If any change takes place regarding the joint agreements between the two countries as for example, The Fraternity-Cooperation-Coordination Treaty, it should be with the acceptance of the two governments," the Minister added.

He also pointed out that there is an important point included in al-Taif Accord which is " both countries' securities are connected together under all circumstances" clarifying that Lebanon will not be used by any political or non-political powers who are anti-Syria and the same thing implies for Syria.

"These is an interest in the other parts of al-Taif Accord not just the part which is related to the withdrawal," the minister concluded.

Previous Stories:
  Syria's reaction to UN fact-finding mission's report   (3/31/2005)
  Annan demands Syria to schedule withdrawal; Sfeir denies asking US to dismantle Hizbullah   (3/23/2005)
  Syria proceeds implementation of Association Agreement with EU   (3/16/2005)

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