Al-Sharaa discusses Syrian, regional issues in an exclusive interview with al-Wasat
Syria-Regional, Politics, 4/27/1999

In an exclusive interview with the London-based al-Wasat magazine published on Monday, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa said that before the convening of the Stuttgart meting, there was an Arab coordination meeting during which, "We were able to reach acceptable solutions to all issues set for discussion, including the Middle East process."

On Sharon's address to the Arabs during his participation in the conference al-Sharaa said Sharon's ideas addressed to the Arab and European foreign ministers were very far from the truth. For example, he alleged that the Israelis are peaceful people and want peace, and that the evidence is that they have been saying "Shalom" (peace) for 4000 years.

"For a few minutes Sharon talked about peace and for much longer time about water. He said he had come to talks about the substantial issue, namely how to rescue the region from a water shortage. He also said he is granting the Palestinians and the Jordanians the waters, forgetting about the fact that those waters are mostly Syrian Arabs," al-Sharaa said.

The FM added: "I commented on Sharon's allegations about peace and said we, as Arabs, have had the word for peace in our language since the beginning of our existence. Sharon alleged that Syria refused to resume negotiations and is awaiting elections in Israel and preventing the Israeli army from pulling out of South Lebanon. I told the European ministers just imagine what kind of power Syria enjoys so that it can prevent Israel from withdrawal. This is really a flagrant pretext, because the heart of the matter is that the Israelis want to impose their own conditions on Syria and Lebanon as a price for the pullout, and still refuse to implement UN resolution 425."

Al-Sharaa added that when Sharon says everything must be put on the negotiation table without conditions, "What he was saying is exactly a matter of preconditions set to destroy what has been achieved in previous negotiations." Al-Sharaa added, "I reiterated Syria's inclination to resume talks from the point they had left off and to complete the achievements. And when we want peace, this does not mean that we want to intervene in Israel's internal affairs. We want to see a government in Israel which believes in peace and completes what was achieved."

On the controversial press conference during the Stuttgart conference, al-Sharaa said the conference should have been held between German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in his capacity as the current President of the European Union "and me as head of the Arab group to the conference." He continued: "I was told by Mr. Fischer, Sharon insisted on taking part in the conference, but we refused his participation. Fischer also told me that Sharon may storm into the press conference's in order to attend it, but I laughed, expressing wonder at how Sharon could do such a thing. Fischer went on saying that Sharon does not admit he is outside the group which represents the Mediterranean south, including Israel. I told Fischer Israel is acting as if it were above law and wants to use its veto against others, so I really expressed wonder about accepting such Israeli logic."

On the repercussions for the Middle East peace process if Netanyahu wins upcoming Israeli elections and retains power, the Syrian FM said, "Whoever succeeds in the elections is not important. The party which succeeds must be a peace advocate and should believe in a just and comprehensive peace." Al-Sharaa added, "For the Labor Party, I did not have the feeling that it could embarrass Syria."

He proceeded that during the Labor Party rule in Israel, there was progress with the participation of the United States on the question of withdrawal to pre-1967 lines and of security arrangements. But when the Likud took power again in 1996, the process was deadlocked. Such signs are indicative of the fact that the Likud had no intention to achieve progress whether in 1991 or throughout the past three years, he said.

The Syrian FM described the reports claiming indirect contacts were frequent between Syria and Israel in different capitals as totally groundless, adding that many US congressmen and former political figures used to come to Syria and talk about peace. They might have visited Israel and heard about some officials' viewpoints, but such affairs cannot be regarded as direct or indirect negotiations, al-Sharaa said.

On Syrian - US contacts, al-Sharaa said that contacts between the two sides never ceased. "You know that the Americans used to tolerate the Israelis very much and only tolerate the Arabs a little."

Concerning ties between the US and Syria, al-Sharaa said, "Ties between the two sides never have been at their best." He stated that there are many points, especially the strong Jewish lobby in the US, Washington's systematic response to meet Israeli demands and the fear of any American official of any anger he would receive in case he is slow in defending Israel. "Under these circumstances, how can we accept America to rule the whole world, including the region, while it is weak towards Israel? We really want good and balanced ties with the US and President al-Assad was never against the possibility of setting up sound relations serving the interests of the Arab and American peoples, as well as the cause of a just and comprehensive peace," he said.

On Syrian - Jordanian coordination and the opportunity for Syrian - Palestinian coordination al-Sharaa said: "We seek total coordination with our Jordanian brothers. We want to advance and develop relations with our brothers in Jordan that will positively reflect in the interests of every Jordanian citizens, and, of course, every Syrian citizen."

On the possibility of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat visiting Syria, al-Sharaa said: "Mr. Arafat has been to Damascus several times, and his visit is not a problem. We wish all the best for the Palestinian people because they are part of our people and nation. We made great sacrifices for the cause of Palestine. We regret that matters have reached a point where you cannot help your Palestinian brother or you do not understand how you can help them. Maybe this is the most dangerous thing that faces the Arabs now." Al-Sharaa continued, "In principle, we are for the restoration of the rights of the Palestinian people, to return, self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state."

On talks by the US to topple the Iraqi government or to bring about changes in Iraq, al-Sharaa said, "The question is very complicated and surrounded by many non-objective expectations, most of which have been based on wishes rather than realities for ten years. We consider the aim of all this as to blackmail and prolong the crisis and not to leave it. It seems to be an attempt to fool the Arabs." Al-Sharaa proceeded: "We, in Syria -- and we have said this publicly at the Arab League's meetings -- are for lifting the sanctions imposed on Iraq because these economic sanctions only harm the Iraqi people."

On Syria's concern over an Iraqi uprising that causes turmoil in Iraq or a surprise change within the country that brings in a pro-US government, al-Sharaa said: "Naturally, Syria is against a change in Iraq that brings about a state of turmoil. We are against any civil war inside Iraq because it will be conducive to partition and to bloodshed that leads to a serious situation. We are against a change in Iraq from the outside and we do not support it either. The Iraqi people should decide for themselves."

As for relations with Turkey, the Syrian FM said there is "an improvement in relations with Turkey. The Turks have considered, and we agree with their consideration, that there is a new page in the Syrian - Turkish relations. The Syrian deputy premier for economic affairs, Dr. Salim Yassin, has recently visited Ankara and met ranking officials there. Turkish statements gave the impression that they are satisfied about the development of Syrian-Turkish relations. We work to improve these relations between the two sides to tackle all pending matters following the formation of a government in Turkey."

On the postponement of President Hafez al-Assad's visit to Russia, al-Sharaa said: "Certainly, it will be made shortly. Foreign minister of Russia Igor Ivanov has visited Syria and discussed the suitable date for both sides."

In reply to a question on a possible Israeli attack on Lebanon, the FM said: "There is continued coordination between Syria and the Lebanese government. Naturally, Israel is held responsible for escalation in the south. There is also coordination within the framework of the April Understanding Monitoring Committee."

On whether there is an agreement on holding an Arab summit in Cairo shortly, al-Sharaa replied: "So far, no," adding that the "Arabs have many problems and therefore one summit cannot take on a long agenda. The problem of the Arabs is that they do not set an agenda of priorities like those of the developed countries."

He indicated, as an example, that, "The problem of a very important subject is the Arab common market. How can we imagine an Arab summit being held on this subject while some Arabs do not even talk to each other? We need a minimum understanding, common vision and common feelings."

The Syrian foreign minister concluded his comprehensive interview saying: "Syria is asking for anything that would help correcting Arab conditions."

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