Khaddam urges close relation with Turkey, end to sanctions in Iraq

The Turkish Anadolia news agency reported on Wednesday that the Syrian vice- President Abdul Halim Khaddam said during his meeting with the Turkish press delegation on Tuesday that Syria pins special importance to the relations with Turkey. He expressed his hope that this visit will avail the chance for the Turkish delegation to know Syria better and to see that the Syrian people and government are ready to develop relations with Turkey.

The Agency quoted Khaddam as saying that Syrian- Turkish relations are good at the meantime and better than 20 years ago. He explained that relations between the Arabs and Turks started before the Ottomans and that "the common historical legacy and interests make it imperative on us to search for means to develop bilateral relations," noting that certain obstacles might surface but should not constitute an obstacle before these relations.

The Syrian vice- President added " we are living in a changing world and the countries of the region should collaborate because the big fish is eating the small ones. And I felt during my visit to Turkey that there is a desire to improve bilateral relations."

Replying to a question on not signing the " declaration of principles" agreed upon in Adanah agreement between Syria and Turkey, Khaddam said that contacts have been made at the levels of the foreign ministries. He expressed his hope that these contacts will be completed very soon and stressed the need of developing relations between the two countries whether a meeting will be held or not, in the service of the two countries and the desire of the two peoples to that end.

Khaddam continued that establishments in the two countries should work to strengthen relations in the economic, scientific and cultural fields.

On the date for President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Turkey, Khaddam said the visit will take place but he does not know its timing. He added that President al-Assad had decided to make this visit.

As for the sanctions imposed on Iraq Khaddam said that all Arab states, unanimously, see that these sanctions cause sufferings for the Iraqi people and Syria sees that these sanctions inflect a damage on the region.

He said that the double- standard policy pursued by the greater states cause concern in the region and that the countries which imposed sanctions on Iraq at the meantime are the same which had provided weapons to Iraq in its war with Iran.

Khaddam noted that Iraq had made a mistake when it occupied Kuwait and it had withdrawn from it ( Iraq from Kuwait) according to UN resolutions and that the countries which attacked Kuwait claimed they did so for the sake of Kuwait and the Gulf states.

Khaddam said that Israel had occupied territories from three Arab states, refused to implement UN resolutions, and is killing the Palestinians daily and did the same against the Lebanese people. He questioned: " so why they do not impose sanctions on Israel."

Khaddam continued that " Iraq withdrew from Kuwait and has recognized its borders and does no more constitute a threat in the military area, besides, Iraq does not have the intention to attack others and that the only thing which bring in stability to the region is to eliminate the idea of attacking and to establish justice.

Replying to a question on Turkey ' s position in the new policies of President Bashar al-Assad, Khaddam said: " first we seek to strengthen our defense as Arabs against Israel. On the other side our relations with Turkey has a different traits in the region. But when we compare our relations with non- Arab state and Turkey, we see that the relations with Turkey has a special priority and if you ask any person in Turkey he would say he wants closer relations with Syria and this is what you will also see in Syria." On establishing political parties and non- governmental organizations in Syria, Khaddam said: " we have a project to modernize the state in all fields. We have started with the economic field, because the priority for citizens is that side. We have taken a step forward in the political field and the Baath party leadership has permitted other parties to issue their papers." He explained every and each state has its own condition. " Even in Europe there is no one united form of democracy. We have prepared a developmental program for our countries and we will implement it."