Special: Khaddam outlines Syria's foreign policy
Syria, Politics, 2/13/1999

Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam on Wednesday February 10 met at the headquarters of the Syrian television and radio station in Damascus with the press delegations and correspondents from Arab and foreign news agencies and television crews who visited Syria to cover the referendum for President al-Assad's election to a new constitutional term.

Replying to a question on whether President al-Assad's attendance at King Hussein's funeral will mark the beginning of a new Arab chapter, Khaddam said that Syria is careful to calm down the atmosphere for inter-Arab relations because, "as you see," the Arab condition pleases the enemy not the friend. Khaddam added that President al-Assad has for a long time exerted great efforts to improve inter-Arab relations. Khaddam reviewed the Arab relationships that had deteriorated, noting that since the mid 1970s until now Arab ambitions were limited just to halting inter-Arab conflicts. Khaddam said that when President Hafez al-Assad decided to go to Amman, his visit stemmed from the fact that this visit should open a new way for inter-Arab relations. He added, "Political disputes between us and any Arab country do not mean that we accept or wish that country any bad intention. We hope this visit will help improve inter-Arab relations."

On when the committee in charge of holding discussions regarding the lifting of sanctions from Iraq will meet, and what Syria will do in the forthcoming phase to improve relations between the Arab states and Iraq, on the grounds that Syria is careful to strengthen Arab solidarity.

Khaddam said Syria is very careful to maintain a united Arab position regarding various issues debated in the Arab arena. He added that during the deliberations at the Arab foreign ministers meeting a formula was reached, and "we" think this formula is good and serves all. He highlighted three main points in the statement of the Arab FMs' meeting: rejecting military acts against Iraq, rejecting interference in the internal affairs of Iraq, and working for lifting the embargo on the framework of UN Security Council resolutions.

Khaddam said these three points were unanimously approved by the Arabs. As for Iraq's relations with the Arab states, Khaddam asserted that if problems are to be eliminated the current Arab system should be reviewed so no single Arab state will fear another.

He indicated that the most important issue is how the Arabs will move into the 21st century and face the challenges and requirements of current developments in the international arena, foremost economic and cultural globalization. "Hence we can say the Arab states are preparing the ground for establishing an economic Arab bloc," Khaddam said.

On the recent statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning peace, Khaddam said, "If Netanyahu is serious, let him announce his acceptance of resuming negotiations from where they broke off and address the obligations agreed to by the government of Yitzhak Rabin. But I think the Israelis do not want a just and comprehensive peace."

Khaddam added, "Peace means withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands and recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people. In other words, peace means halting the Zionist project. The question of just peace is in contradiction with the Zionist project ,which the Zionist movement, since its establishment, has worked to achieve and it is still working to achieve this project."

In reply to a question on ideas circulated about Jordan establishing a confederated state with the Palestinians, on the one hand, and towards the project to overthrow the Iraqi government on the other, and to a question regarding allegations about Syria's possession of chemical weapons, Khaddam said, "The ideas made about Jordan after the death of King Hussein are mere analysis. There are many Israeli anti-Arab plans serving hegemony over the Arab homeland. I now think Jordan is working to consolidate the situation in Jordan because there is a new King leading the country, and I do not think that Jordan is busy thinking about these other ideas. Iraq is not a pawn to be played with. It is a country where people live, and we all appreciate the Iraqi people. No one can determine Iraq's destiny from outside Iraq."

He continued, concerning the confederation with the Palestinian side: "All of us know that this idea was proposed at different stages, but it was not achieved because of several factors. What is most important now is to work for creating a new Arab atmosphere where the Arabs are the ones who plan their own future. The Arabs must be effective and practical; however the circumstances are difficult and the Israeli anti-Arab plots are well laid, although they will not succeed."

Khaddam added that concerning the chemical weapons question, "I think it is part of an Israeli plan aiming at a smear campaign against Syria at a time when Israel possesses all kinds of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Israel makes all forms of weapons from warplanes to rockets. It also has the US guarantee for its security and this matter is a part of the anti-Syria plots, but such plots will not disturb us. We are going on with our national and progressive policies, because we have a clear vision of the present and future times and we are doing what serves not only our homeland, Syria but all the Arab lands."

In reply to a question on the meeting of President al-Assad and Clinton in Jordan and on Syria and conditions for cultivating warm relations, Khaddam said the meeting was not very long due to the circumstances in which it was held. It dealt with the mutual desire to improve bilateral relations.

Replying to a question on al-Assad's opinion about Islam, Khaddam said: "President al-Assad is a faithful Muslim. According to us as Arabs, Islam is the religion for the Muslims and culture and heritage for the Christians."

Replying to a question on the future of the Middle East peace process, peace talks on all tracks and on Syria's "expectations concerning a possible wide-range Israeli aggression against Lebanon," Khaddam said: "The peace process is stalemated due to the Israeli intransigent policy and the Israeli concept of peace. The Israelis believe that peace will ensure them the continuity of occupation, the military upper hand, and control of the region's countries. However, this situation will never come about."

Khaddam indicated the "Wye River agreement," signed between the Palestinian Authority and the Israelis under US supervision. He said that the accord serves only Israel's interests and that it is far from the terms of reference on which the peace process was based.

"We see what the Israelis do concerning such ill-conceived accords. Israel continues to apply pressure and attack Lebanon. Israel makes use of the current situation in the Arab arena to continue its aggressions, but such provocation will not give Israel any advantages neither from Syria nor from Lebanon. Israel attacks Lebanon every day and it is difficult to expect an Israeli full scale attack on Lebanon, because such aggression under the current circumstances will bring great pressure to bear on Israel even from the US," Khaddam said.

Replying to a question on the arms deal between Syria and Russia, Khaddam said that Israel tries to spread rumors in order to increase their aid and arms shipments from the US.

On the role played by Iran to settle Syrian debts to the former Soviet Union, Khaddam said, "There is no such Iranian role, because relations between us and Russia are good. There are contacts and the two sides do not need mediation in this regard."

Concerning Iranian - Egyptian relations, Khaddam said: "We are hopeful that these relations will return to normalcy," noting the response shown by Cairo and Tehran. He added that meetings are held on the sidelines of conferences between the foreign ministers of the two countries, noting that the two sides show good intentions and maintain regional cooperation for the interests of the region.

On prospects for future relations between Syria and Turkey, Khaddam said there is a security committee which meets periodically in Syria and Turkey.

Concerning relations with Jordan, Khaddam said that during the meeting between President al-Assad and King Abdullah, talks dealt with relations between the two countries and the mutual desire to enjoy good relations.

On Syria's position concerning attacks on Iraq, Khaddam said Syria's position stems from its vision of the situation in the region: "We are confident that there are objectives which serve the interests of Israel and lead to the partition of Iraq." He added that Syria's stand is that it is against any policy or schemes aiming at dismembering Iraq. "Our stand does not stem from the fact of having good or bad relations with that country. When Kuwait was the victim of aggression we stood by it, and at any time Kuwait or any other Arab country becomes the victim of any aggression, Arab or foreign, we will side with the victimized country."

He added, "When Iraq was exposed to aggression we stood against this aggression." Khaddam said there are some Arab states that have hostile relations with Iraq, and he referred to the decision of the latest Arab foreign ministers meeting, which called for not intervening in Iraq's internal affairs, rejecting military action against Iraq, and lifting the sanctions on Iraq.

"The other issue is that we are against the Palestinian policy in the Arab arena and we do not seek the establishment of blocs. We want the Arabs to be in the same field, but if this is not achieved, we have at least to avoid the negative side and bridge the gaps." He went on: "In politics, emotions are important but we have to see the effect and the impacts of the event in general interest and national security."

Concerning national security Khaddam said there is the joint Arab defense agreement, but this agreement was not implemented in any of the conflicts in the region or Arab wars with Israel.

"We have to crystallize a formula for economic security because we cannot establish national security without cultural and economic security, he said noting to world alliances like NATO, the European community, Warsaw, pacts which were based on economic and military guidelines," he said.

Replying to a question on whether Syria can play the role of mediator in the dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates regarding a dispute over the sovereignty of three Gulf islands, Khaddam said: "We have talked with Iran and we are seeking a dialogue between Iran and the UAE."

On a question about the chances for restoring relations between Syria and the Palestinian authority, Khaddam said: "The Palestinian cause is a national cause for Syria and all the past Palestinian revolutions under the British mandate were led by Syrians, or at least the Syrians took part in them in support for the Palestinians cause. The Palestinian Liberation Organization adopted a political course that does not serve the Palestinian cause. The PLO dropped the national characteristic of the cause and considered it as an independent Palestinian decision, a decision of one person."

Replying to a question on the Syrian stand concerning the Yemeni cause to hold an Arab summit and establish an economic bloc in the Gulf region, with the participation of Syria and Lebanon, Khaddam said that the holding of the summit is a very important issue, and it should have been held in due time regardless of differences in opinion, but had it been held with every side insisting on their viewpoint, the summit would have been a failure. So the whole affair should be the responsibilities of the FMs in light of the current Arab tensions. This is an important step that has been taken, he said.

Khaddam stressed that Syria encourages any step that leads to establishing an economic bloc that does not aim at political polarization in the Arab arena that will create more tension.

When asked about signing an economic agreement between Syria and Egypt similar to that one between Lebanon and Syria, Khaddam said: "Political relations between Syria and Egypt are good and we hope to achieve progress on the economic relations between Syria and Egypt in implementation of the directives of President al-Assad and President Mubarak."

Previous Stories:
  Damascus did not approve inspection mechanism in Adanah agreement   (2/12/1999)
  Damascus: Arafat's policy does not serve Palestinian cause   (2/12/1999)
  Khaddam outlines Syria's policy   (2/11/1999)

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