Syria's Khaddam views on national issues
Syria, Politics, 1/29/1998

In a statement to Dubai Space Channel broadcast Tuesday night, Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam said the Arab pursuit of peace is based on international legitimacy, and a just and comprehensive peace that leads to Israeli withdrawal from all occupied lands and the guarantee of the Palestinian people's national rights, including their rights to self-determination, and the establishment of the independent state on Palestinian soil.

As for Israel, he said, the objective is to establish the Israel of the Torah, that is "Greater" Israel, a strong dominant state in front of which nations and peoples are only to surrender, he said. In reply to a question about a plan Former Israel Prime Minister Rabin proposed before his assassination for withdrawal from the Golan, Khaddam said the contacts which were made through the American administration led to Rabin's commitment to withdrawal to the fourth of June 1967 lines (The border lines between Syria and Israel before the June 1967 Arab -Israeli war).

Khaddam said "We also agreed on a document that includes the objectives and principles of the security arrangements, the most important of which is that no one party's security should be protected at the expense of the other's security."

Regarding normalization of relations with Israel, Khaddam asked when someone is exposed to aggression and have his lands occupied and then proceed to normalize relations with Israel and open the road so that their country can be used to serve Israel's strategy, can this be described as logical? Khaddam remarked.

Those who have normalized relations with Israel or are seeking normalization are taking a very important card away from Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese negotiators and are giving this card to Israel, he said.

Khaddam described Syrian-Egyptian relations as very solid and as having deep historical roots.

About Syrian - Iraqi relations Khaddam said, "We have clearly said the Arab countries should work to alleviate the Iraqi people's suffering and to remove these sufferings, therefore we have opened the borders with Iraq." About reports for the reunification of the two Baath (the ruling party in Syria and Iraq) wings in Syria and Iraq, Khaddam said: "This has not been discussed."

He stressed the indivisibility of the Syrian and Lebanese peace tracks.

About Syrian - Iranian relations he said good relations with Iran are to the benefit of the Arab world and for Iran. It is a big supporter of the Arabs and in their conflict with Israel.

About the recent meeting between US President Bill Clinton and Israeli Premier Netanyahu, Khaddam said the statements issued by some Palestinian parties who took part in the meetings said the atmosphere of the discussions was good and that there were American ideas which were even-handed toward both sides, therefore, things should not be judged in advance.

Khaddam denied any specific ideas presented by the American secretary of state during her recent visit to Syria for the resumption of negotiations on the Syrian - Israeli track, but noted that there was a message from the US President in which he stressed his own commitment regarding the Syrian track.

Khaddam also stressed Syria's belief that Europe should play a role in the establishment of peace in the Middle East region.

Khaddam said we must first set up the Arab common market and build the Arab common bloc, then this bloc can join the world economy.

Previous Stories:
  Khaddam: Turkish-Israeli alliance endangers Arab security   (1/27/1998)
  Assad unhappy with America's negligence of Syrian peace track   (1/26/1998)
  Syrian foreign minister confers with EU Middle East peace envoy on peace   (1/23/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search