Syria's Khaddam offers surprising remarks and future vision
Syria-Regional, Politics, 3/3/1998

Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam said it is important to build a new Arab system and new Arab partnership capable of preserving the interests of the Arab nation, liberating the occupied lands and establishing economic, security and cultural integration with the rest of the world.

In an exclusive political statement he gave on the occasion of the first edition of the Arabic language Tishreen al-Isbui magazine on Monday, Khaddam said the Arab initiative of objective review should lead to establishing an Arab project for safeguarding Arab rights, confronting the "Zionist" aims and standing firm against all forms of foreign hostile projects.

He said the "Zionist" goals contradict the peace goals in the region and runs counter to Arab interests and rights. Khaddam said despite some positive and important phenomena in the Arab arena, such as the stand against Israel's anti-peace drive, and confrontation of the US-led political and military escalation against Iraq, there are many questions raised by Arab citizens, which express anxiety toward the Arab nation's destiny.

The Arab goals should take into account establishing an Arab partnership on the basis that each country concedes a part of its regional sovereignty, for the benefit of national sovereignty, he said.

"The goal is national and changes should not be based on ignoring reality, but through dealing with it," Khaddam added.

He said the Arab partnership should establish four state-political organizations: people's, economic, security and cultural, adding that the Arab goal also should lead to enabling the people to participate actively in establishing public policies.

"Participation does not means imitating others' experiences and systems, but setting up the Arab experience according to the economic, social and development period the Arabs live in at the present time," Khaddam said.

Previous Stories:
  Khaddam: no peace with occupation; Israel has to abide by UN resolutions   (2/28/1998)
  Khaddam and El-Sharaa will visit Tehran   (2/27/1998)
  Syrian delegation delivers communique to Mubarak   (2/18/1998)

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