Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam accused Israel yesterday of obstructing any peaceful movement in the Middle East region and denied the existence of Turkish mediation between Damascus and Tel Aviv. He stated that Syria is well aware of Israel’s obstructionist policy.
Khaddam firmly believed that the establishment of new Jewish settlements in the occupied Golan Heights and the ongoing policy of targeting Palestinians (four people were killed yesterday in Nablus) “clearly demonstrate Israel’s hostility towards peace and its disregard for the interests and future of the Arab nation.”
Khaddam made these remarks at the conclusion of a meeting with an Iraqi tribal delegation visiting Damascus.
Furthermore, Khaddam called for the reconstruction of the Iraqi state to ensure the participation of all Iraqis in managing their country’s affairs through United Nations-supervised elections. He emphasized the importance of a legislative council elected by the Iraqi people, which would draft a constitution for the country. He warned that any shortcomings in the process of national reconstruction or in maintaining Iraq’s unity and security would have severe and detrimental consequences.
Regarding the issue of establishing a federation in Iraq, Khaddam stated, “Our primary concern is for the Iraqi people to determine the popular, constitutional, and political structures through free elections.” He stressed that such steps can only be implemented if they receive the agreement of the Iraqi people.
With regard to Syrian-Turkish coordination on the Iraqi issue, Khaddam highlighted that there are ongoing communications between Damascus, Baghdad, Ankara, and other Arab capitals. He underscored the collective concern of Arab countries, Turkey, and Iran about the situation in Iraq, emphasizing the need for its liberation, the transfer of power to the Iraqi people, and an end to the occupation.
