Syrian President: Lebanon is a state, discusses critical issues
Syrian President Hafez al-Assad gave a televised interview to the representatives of the French TV channel 1, Patrick Bovavre Darvour, assistant director and presenter of the political programs and Mrs. Naheda Nakad, chief reporter.
President al-Assad was persistent in saying that the Golan is Syrian territory and must be returned to Syria, adding that the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stands against the peace process. On relations between Syria and Lebanon, al-Assad said, "Lebanon exists. It is a state. I was the first to say that Lebanon is a state and I recognize this state."
President al-Assad also warned that many countries would suffer if peace efforts fail as "The peace process does not concern Syria alone but the whole world. If we accomplish nothing, wars will flare up and will spill over into many countries in direct or indirect ways."
Assad added that he is willing to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if Israel withdrew from the strategic Golan Heights it is occupying since 1967. "Once peace is established, it is completely natural that people should talk to each other. Otherwise we would not be realistic. If the problems are solved, relations would be normal," he said.
On the release of detainees from jails in Syria, President al-Assad said: "The issue is connected with ordinary crimes committed between 1980-1982. The perpetrators were convicted and would be released when their sentences were completed. Most of those were from the Muslim Brotherhood. Some of them carried out assassination and sabotage acts. In prison we had also some members of our Party (the Baath party) as a result of previous disputes. Their number was six or seven and are now out of prison."
Replying to a question on whether he is preparing his son Bashar for any expected succession and if he has had any other thoughts on securing Syria's future, the Syrian President said: "No. I am not preparing him to be my successor. I never heard from him anything on such a topic. Maybe such statements on him surface as a result of his being active and beloved and respected by his colleagues. He is respected in the country. Regarding the issue of succession, there is nothing in our constitution and laws that entitle kinsmanship the right to inherit power, or run for a new Presidential term. In short, my answer is there is no preparation."
Replying to a question on whether Nazi criminal Alois Brunner will be turned to the court and if he would allow the French prosecutor to come to Syria to investigate him if he were living in Syria, President al-Assad said, "Nobody in Syria told me he is here. Why should you accuse Syria of caring about that person? If you know his whereabouts then go directly for that address to see for yourself if he is there or not. I wonder if I live in Syria and do not know his whereabouts, while the French prosecutor says he knows his whereabouts."
On the main message he wanted to relay to the French people, President Assad said: "The French people are great. We greatly respect and appreciate the cultural role this people plays and their great contributions to human civilizations. We come to France because of what is existing between us of friendly relations which are long standing. Such cooperation dated back to 1532 when France opened a consulate in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Accompanying us in our trip to France will be a large number of businessmen who will work for the promotion of economic and commercial relations. We will also work for the enhancement of cultural relations and others in all directions."