Damascus did not approve inspection mechanism in Adanah agreement

The Syrian charge d'affairs to Turkey, Mamdouh Haidar, denied any new position for Syria concerning its refusal of a Turkish proposal that provides for setting up a security system to follow up on and supervise efforts to fight "terrorism" concerning the banned Kurdistani Workers Party.

The Syrian charge d'affairs in Ankara stated that, "The Syrian side did not approve since the very beginning the idea of a mechanism for inspection and follow up."

He added that there was no certain item to set up such a mechanism. Rather, he added, it was agreed to return the idea to the Syrian leadership as a reference in taking a final decision concerning this Turkish proposal.

Haidar added that Turkey was informed about Syria's position rejecting the idea upon the return of the Syrian delegation which signed the Adanah agreement on October 20, 1998, as Syria stressed that concentration should be made on supporting elements of confidence between the two sides.

The Syrian charge d'affairs wondered about the objective of highlighting this issue at this time by certain Turkish dailies, despite the fact that there is nothing new in the Syrian position in this respect.