Al-Assad confers with Anglican Church Archbishop George Carey
Syria-Syria-UK, Politics, 2/1/1999

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Saturday received Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and members of his accompanying delegation, including the Syrian Archbishop of Jerusalem and Riyadh Jarjoura, the secretary of the Middle East Churches Council.

The meeting was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and the British ambassador in Damascus, Basil Eastwood. Talks dealt with the situation in the region and the escalation of tensions.

The Syrian President stressed "Syria's continued efforts to establish just and comprehensive peace based on international legitimacy."

Carey expressed hope that peace would prevail in the region according to international legitimacy laws. He praised the stability he felt in Syria and the coexistence among the Syrians.

For his part, the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem praised "President al-Assad's constructive role in working for peace," emphasizing the importance of Jerusalem in the Middle East peace process.

At the conclusion of his visit to Syria Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey held a press conference at Damascus Sheraton hotel. Archbishop Carey made an opening statement in which he thanked the Syrian government, especially President Hafez al-Assad, for the warm welcome he received in Syria.

"I have experienced many aspects of the rich, diverse and historic culture of this country, to say nothing of the glories of its food, and my only sadness is that I have not had an opportunity to travel more widely whether to Aleppo, Palmyra or the Golan," archbishop Carey commented.

On his remarks concerning his visit to Syria he added, "I have been greatly impressed by the way in which Christians and Muslims coexist peacefully together in this country. I counted it as an enormous privilege to visit Abul Nour Mosque in Damascus two days ago and to be invited by the Grand Mufti (Sheikh Ahmad Kiftaro) to address the worshipers there. I believe that there are lessons that the rest of the world would do well to learn from the way in which members of both faiths respect each other."

As for his meeting with President Hafez al-Assad, Archbishop Carey added: "I was made aware of the President's desire for a lasting peace for this region, a peace based on justice."

He continued that at the recent Lambeth Conference of Bishops, " We reaffirmed our desire that Jerusalem should be a place where members of all three faiths 9 Jewish, Muslim and Christian 9 can worship freely and in peace. We also underlined our commitment to the implementation of the UN resolutions, as they affect Palestinians and Israeli alike. It is peace with justice that this region is badly needs."

In his reply to a question about his position toward the Israeli settlement drive in Jerusalem, at Abu Ghneim mountain and other places in the occupied Arab territories, Archbishop Carey said: "I had said in many occasions that the recent drive to create more settlements is something I deplore."

On his meeting with Syrian Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Kiftaro and the Islamic -Christian dialogue, Carey said, "I found him the most open, warm man with whom, as one of our RLady' political leaders used so say, someone who can do business. And I feel I can do business with the Grand Mufti and the Muslims of Syria. We have said on many occasions that Christians and Muslims have a major responsibility for the peace of the world. We have got to work together."

As for his meeting with President Hafez al-Assad, Archbishop Carey said, "I was looking forward to meeting with the president, and I was so delighted to meet with him. I found him the most enlightened and wise person. We had a wide range in discussions within the time available. I can report the main outline, the discussions focused on the peace in the region and the contribution that religions can make."

Carey and members of his accompanying delegation left Damascus later in the afternoon on Sunday for Lebanon following a four-day official visit to Syria.

Previous Stories:
  Patriarch Hazim discusses with Canterbury archbishop conditions in Jerusalem   (1/29/1999)
  Islamic World League stresses the Arab identity of Jerusalem   (12/15/1998)
  Israel, US upset over UN report on Israeli human rights violations in occupied Arab territories   (11/20/1998)
  Paris: No peace without Syria   (7/21/1998)

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