Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam stated that both Washington and Tel Aviv are not convinced that Syria is ready to accept Israeli conditions. He emphasized that the problem lies not with Syria, but with the Israelis. Syrian Vice President Mohammad Zuhair Mashareqah accused Israel of engaging in state terrorism, labeling it as the most dangerous terrorist hotbed globally. He asserted that Israel’s actions have endangered international peace and security, holding it responsible for the faltering of the peace process in the region. Mashareqah called upon the American administration to have a clear vision for the peace process and possess the appropriate tools for its success.
Khaddam’s remarks followed his meeting with a delegation of seventy-three Iraqi intellectuals in the Syrian capital, Damascus, yesterday. Speaking to reporters, Khaddam stated, “A few months ago, Syria presented an initiative to the UN Security Council to establish a Middle East region free of weapons of mass destruction, preceding the recent Libyan initiative… We will continue to pursue this initiative, and there is an agreement between us and the Arab countries to pursue it within and outside the Security Council.”
Regarding the American Secretary of State’s call for Syria to extricate itself from a difficult situation, Khaddam responded by saying, “I believe everyone knows who is currently in a difficult situation.”
When asked about reports of an American missile striking the Yarubiya border post between Syria and Iraq, Khaddam stated that he had no information on the matter.
Regarding reports suggesting that Washington has advised Tel Aviv not to engage in negotiations with Syria unless Damascus accepts the American and Israeli conditions, Khaddam stated, “We have not heard such talk. The Americans and Israelis are not convinced that Syria is ready to accept Israeli conditions.” He added, “We have a clear policy. We aim to implement Security Council resolutions and respect international legitimacy. The issue does not lie with us, but with the Israelis.”
Concerning the nature of the meeting with the Iraqi delegation led by Mansour Abdulaziz Al-Hadithi, the fourth of its kind to convene at this time, Khaddam explained, “The meeting focused on the Arab situation and the situation in Iraq. Our Iraqi brothers informed us about the events there and their commitment to Iraq’s strong independence, sovereignty, and freedom from occupation.”
In the meantime, a Syrian media source reported that the American administration’s announcement, stating that the wall being constructed by Israel does not contradict the “road map,” has increasingly emboldened Ariel Sharon to commit further acts deemed as crimes. This development has provided Israel with a broader range of maneuverability, enabling them to evade the recognition of Palestinian rights and impose their political, sovereign, and military demands on the Palestinian side. The Syrian source contended that Tel Aviv’s policy not only violates the rights of peoples who are victims of aggression and occupation but also constitutes a breach of international peace and security. As a result, the source asserted that the United Nations must take deterrent measures against Israel and its brutal terrorist policies.
