Mr. Abdul Halim Khaddam, Vice President of the Arab Syrian Republic, affirmed that Syrian-Saudi relations are strong and that there are consultations on how to make the Arab summit conference, which will be held in Tunisia, successful. Khaddam said on the sidelines of his meeting with a delegation of Iraqi intellectuals and journalists, “There are consultations on the data that will be presented at the Arab summit conference, and there is an exchange of views to coordinate positions.”
In response to Riyadh’s question regarding the exclusion of the temporary Iraqi constitution from the Arab identity, given that all its constitutions have affirmed its Arab identity, Khaddam clarified that Iraq’s Arab identity does not await a law, a decision, or an order; it is a fact, and facts do not need to be proven by anyone.
Regarding a question from “Riyadh” about his opinion on Colin Powell’s call for the Syrian forces to withdraw from Lebanon, Khaddam emphasized that Lebanon is a sovereign state with legitimate institutions and is a member of the United Nations, and it cannot decide for Lebanon except the Lebanese themselves.
As for the approaching approval of sanctions against Syria by the United States under what is called the Syria Accountability Act, Khaddam clarified that such a law has no impact on Syria, neither in the near nor in the distant future. He said, “No one can punish Syria”… and added that measures are taken, but these measures will be against those who take them.
Regarding the statements circulated by the media attributed to Massoud Barzani, in which he affirmed the existence of a so-called Kurdistan in Syria, Khaddam denied the existence of such statements and said, “I have not heard that Barzani said that Syrian territories are part of Kurdistan… This is not true.”
Concerning the project proposed by the United Nations to resume the peace process between Syria and Israel, Khaddam stated that Syria has not received any such proposal.
In response to a question about Syria’s stance if John Kerry wins the U.S. elections, Khaddam replied that it is premature to discuss the U.S. elections, and he added, “There is about half a year to go, and we must wait for the results to draw conclusions from them.”
Regarding the visit of the Iraqi delegation to Syria, Khaddam revealed that there is an Iraqi consensus to hold a national Iraqi conference aimed at agreeing on Iraq’s interests and working to achieve their goals in liberation and the restoration of the Iraqi state, and conducting elections under international supervision. He added that Iraqis agree on fundamental issues, namely Iraq’s unity, ending the occupation, restoring Iraqis to sovereignty and independence.