Issues discussed in Assad - Chirac closed door meeting
Syria-France, Politics, 7/17/1998

Spokeswoman for Elysee Palace, Catherine Colona, said that a one-hour closed-door meeting was held between President Hafez al-Assad and President Jacques Chirac dealing with bilateral relations and the Middle East peace process.

Elysee palace sources said that President Chirac noted the importance of teaching the French language and the French presence in Syria. Concerning the case of Alois Brunner, the sources said that President al-Assad told Chirac he is not in Syria. Chirac stressed the importance of Syria sending an official reply to the French jury in this respect. President al-Assad said he will discuss the matter.

The sources continued that talks also dealt with the internal situation in Syria and the question of human rights. They added that President Chirac said the decision in this respect is a Syrian one. He said that Syria is proceeding in this respect on the right path, adding that "any initiative of this kind will be positive." It went on that talks dealt with debts and Syria's relations with UN financial institutions. It noted that President al-Assad spoke about the question of debts with Germany.

For his part, President Chirac encouraged him to settle this matter, as Syria did with France. President Chirac also encouraged al-Assad to maintain openness with the outer world and to normalize economic relations with international institutions.

Colona continued that during his talks on Thursday with President al-Assad, Chirac reviewed the objectives of the French-Egyptian initiative to convene a conference for countries that are determined to salvage Middle East peace. She added that Chirac explained to al-Assad that the initiative is a means to get out of the current impasse. She continued the Syrian President did not express any remarks, and it was clear he knows the details of the initiative.

Colona also quoted the Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa during his meeting on Thursday with his French counterpart, Hubert Vedrine, that if the said initiative was inclined toward peace, it would be welcomed by Syria.

Colona noted that Syria has agreed to supply land in al-Mazzeh district in Damascus for a French school.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Assad in Paris: Peace is Syria's strategic choice   (7/17/1998)
  Syrian President: Lebanon is a state, discusses critical issues   (7/16/1998)
  Vedrine speaks on issues prior to Assad 's visit   (7/13/1998)

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