Syrian PA continues deliberations on nominating President al-Assad for new term of office
Syria, Politics, 1/13/1999

The Syrian People's Assembly on Tuesday continued the deliberations of its special session to debate the Baath Party regional leadership's proposal on the nomination of President Hafez al-Assad for a new constitutional term of office.

The PA special meeting was held at 11 a.m. Damascus local time on Tuesday. It was chaired by the speaker of the People's Assembly, Abdul Qader Qaddoura, and attended by a number of Syrian Cabinet ministers.

The deputy speaker of the PA, Abdullah Mousilli, read the report prepared by the special committee in charge of studying the regional leadership's proposal of nomination. Members of the committee expressed appreciation for and pride over the nomination which they said is a manifestation of "people's sweeping unanimity on the historic leadership of President Hafez al-Assad."

They also expressed full allegiance and loyalty to President al-Assad and to continuing to rally around his "wise and brave leadership." The committee said the proposal is compatible with provisions of the constitutions and the Statute of the People's Assembly.

It also asked the PA to approve the nomination for the Following considerations: The Regional leadership RL's proposal "is a consideration of national principles and a continuation of shouldering the responsibility of confronting tough circumstances manifested in Israel's perpetuation of occupation, the Zionist policy of aggression and threats against the entire Arab nation, the obstruction of the Middle East peace process, and the great burden in healing Arab differences and reviving solidarity. The nomination's proposal is a reflection of people's unanimous approval of the President's courageous leadership which continues to enhance the country's march of socioeconomic development of liberation and of genuine progress. President al-Assad enjoys a clear-cut strategic vision and farsightedness, a unique leader and a staunch defender of the Arab nation's rights, national interest and dignity. The President was able to overcome all difficulties facing the nation and the region and to achieve victories in various domains. Thanks to the country's great potentials and to the President's firm and sound stances based on unwavering national principles, Syria continued to be a bulwark of Arab steadfastness and confrontation, and has become a force, to be reckoned within the region's peace and war affairs."

The committee continued that "under President al-Assad's remarkable leadership, the march of democracy was strengthened in terms of boosting the vital role played by elected people's organizations and vocational associations and of maintaining political and economic pluralism. Democracy was also solidified thanks to the strong and exemplified national unity and to deepening the role the Progressive National Front plays in all walks of the country's life. Under the leadership of President Hafez al-Assad, Syria was able to safeguard her national rights and interests and to spare no efforts for reviving pan-Arab solidarity and achieving Arab unity. The proposal of nomination is a reflection of people's deep belief in the historic leadership of President al-Assad, who represents the nation's conscience and its ambitions of materializing the cherished goals of unity, liberty and socialism."

Qaddoura later thanked members of the committee for producing the report and expressed determination to continue backing the President's leadership and the country's march of comprehensive socioeconomic development until liberation and victory are fully attained.

Later in the day, the PA council continued deliberations in the presence of Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi, his two deputies for economic affairs and services and the Cabinet ministers.

The PA members thanked the Special Committee "for the efforts they exerted in preparing the report which expressed the people understanding of the great meanings of the Baath Party's message of nominating President Hafez al-Assad for a new constitutional term." The members added that "the popular cohesion that has been realized, under the leadership of President Hafez al-Assad, including a national unity based on political pluralism embodied by the Progressive National Front, people's organizations, vocational trade unions, the people's Assembly and local administration."

Some 45 people's assembly members who spoke at the session with one expressing the sentiment of many saying "We look forward eagerly to the day of the referendum with high spirit and determination to continue the historic march of President Hafez al-Assad and to renew pledges of allegiance to the builder of modern Syria."

In their presentations, the members expressed that Syria has passed important and great steps on the way of its cultural progress under the Correctionist Movement (when al-Assad came to power in 1970), where industry, agriculture and services have been developed. Others added said "Syria has respect for liberation and progress in the eyes of the world under the wise leadership of President Hafez al-Assad."

Previous Stories:
  Secret committee surveys properties of Israelis in the Golan   (1/12/1999)
  On the nomination of President al-Assad for a new term of office   (1/12/1999)
  Presidents Mubarak, al-Assad hold Damascus summit   (1/9/1999)

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