Syrian Foreign Minister Abdul Halim Khaddam, speaking at a press conference here today, declared that Israeli-European Economic Community trade accord will only serve to encourage Israeli obstinacy in her Middle East policy. Khaddam asked that the EEC suspend the accord or be prepared to pay compensation for the damages incurred by the Arab countries.
He warned the EEC nations that Israel’s “destructive and aggressive” policy will endanger European security, Khaddam concluded by demanding that Israel withdraw from the occupied territories and that the non-Arab world grant full recognition to the natural rights of the Palestinian people.
West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, said that the accord conforms with the EEC’s balanced policy toward the Middle East. He indicated the fairness of the accord by pointing out that agreements have already been concluded between Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, and negotiations are to begin shortly with Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
