Syrian president, FM confer with Indyk
Syria-USA, Politics, 3/15/1999

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Sunday in Damascus at al-Chaab presidential palace met with US Undersecretary of State for Near East Affairs Martin Indyk and members of his accompanying delegation.

The meeting was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and the US ambassador in Damascus, Ryan Crocker.

Indyk handed President al-Assad a letter from US President Bill Clinton on US - Syrian bilateral relations and the will to develop them.

Talks dealt with the situation in the Middle East and the Middle East peace process. Indyk stressed the interest of the US to continue working with Syria in the context of the peace process.

The Syrian president spoke about Syria's attitude towards the Middle East peace process and the importance of the continuation of the US commitment to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region according to the basis and principles agreed upon in Madrid.

President al-Assad also expressed Syria's aspiration to achieve a peace that maintains national rights and restores the occupied territories.

Earlier in the day al-Sharaa held a three-and-a-half hour meeting with Indyk at the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry in Damascus.

Talks dealt with current conditions in the region, the stalled Middle East peace process and bilateral relations between the US and Syria.

Meanwhile, Indyk said his talks with Foreign Minister al-Sharaa dealt with regional issues, the Middle East peace process, and efforts exerted to resume the Middle East peace process following the Israeli elections.

In a statement he made to reporters following his talks with the Syrian FM, Indyk said: "I came to have consultations with Syrian officials on the basis of our conviction of Syria's important role in the region."

Indyk added: "We have also discussed the situation in south Lebanon, the need to ensure calmness and means of strengthening common understanding for implementing the April Understanding in a constructive and positive way. We did not discuss its (the April Understanding's) amendment."

Indyk continued: "We have discussed the situation in Iraq," noting that despite certain disputes on points of view, the two countries agreed on the need for "Iraq's total commitment to international legitimacy resolutions."

Replying to another question asking if Indyk carried with him a new initiative to resume the Middle East peace process and about Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon, Indyk said: "We had consultations on means of resuming talks on the Syrian tracks following the Israeli elections."

Previous Stories:
  Indyk assures continuation of international sanctions on Iraq   (3/13/1999)
  Damascus seeks to prevent Europe from financing US $1.6 billion Turkish dam   (3/12/1999)
  Indyk will not seek Damascus to amend April Understanding   (3/12/1999)
  President al-Assad's address on taking oath of office: Peace with Israel will not be made before settling inter-Arab disputes   (3/12/1999)

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