Khaddam: relations with Turkey deeply rooted, rejection to striking Iraq is ultimate; Yeni Safak

Syria's Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam has expressed his satisfaction over the developed level of relations between Syria and Turkey and described these relations as very old and deeply rooted.

In a statement to the Turkish daily Yeni Safak issued on Thursday, Khaddam explained that Syrian- Turkish relations have developed in the political, economic, social and security fields in the framework of reciprocated friendship and confidence. He stressed that these relations will contribute to improving Turkey's relations with the Arab and Islamic worlds.

The Syrian vice president highly appreciated the position of the Turkish government towards stances committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. He said that statements made by the Turkish prime minister Polent Acawet during recent events were met with esteem appreciation by the Arab states.

Khaddam described Syria's relations with the US as based on "defending our interests." He said "the American view points towards us is not of concern for us and that the Americans will be mistaken if they believe we will give up our interests to satisfy their ambitions, besides we do not want tense relations with the USA." Khaddam regretted the US accusations against Iraq to that it constitutes a threat to its neighbors. He questioned "why it does not say the same thing about Israel, as the whole world knows that Israel owns large number of nuclear weapons."