Damascus refuses to submit the border demarcation issue with Israel to the International Court of Justice
Damascus has refused to submit the question of Israel's complete withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights to the International Court of Justice, saying that such an Israeli withdrawal is a just Arab demand and a right approved by the international legitimacy and "non-bargained."
In his meeting on Saturday in Damascus with the Arab ambassadors accredited in Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara warned against being "trapped by the media misleading launched by certain papers" (in reference to what was stated by the London based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily) in submitting this issue to the International Court of Justice in the Hague.
Al-Shara added that, "Israel's complete withdrawal from the Golan to the June 4 border lines is a just Arab demand and a legitimate right approved by the Arab summits and the international legitimacy," and therefore it is not bargained. It is one of the unwavering rights.
"The repressive occupation force cannot be put on equal footing with the owner of the land in this regard," he said.
The Syrian foreign minister briefed the Arab ambassadors on the actual events of the Geneva summit between US President Bill Clinton and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on March 26. He indicated "the obstacles placed by Israel before the resumption of talks." Al-Shara stressed Syria's firm commitment to the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions, especially UN resolution 242, 338 and 425 and the land-for-peace formula.
Al-Shara commended the stances adopted by the Arab states for backing the Lebanese and Syrian positions expressed by the Arab foreign ministers in their 113th session held in Beirut on March 11.
Al-Shara also expressed similar thanks to the Arab media which backed the stand of justice and dignity "expressed by President al-Assad and in not giving up the land, regardless of time and fierce challenges."
