Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam discussed the Middle East peace process Wednesday with President Jacques Chirac, who confirmed he plans to visit Syria this fall, French officials said. They said Khaddam also delivered a message to Chirac from Syrian President Hafez Assad concerning the peace process, but the contents were not revealed.
Elysee Palace Spokeswoman Catherine Colonna said Chirac reiterated France’s position that the ‘peace process remain founded on the accords of Madrid, Oslo and Taba, notably concerning the principle of land for peace.’ She said Chirac also confirmed during the 75-minute meeting that he plans to visit Syria this fall, probably in October. Chirac has held phone conversations with several Middle East leaders over the past two weeks as part of stepped-up French involvement in the peace process. Khaddam told reporters that Syria hopes France will play ‘an active role in the peace process’ because of the country’s ‘historically very close relations’ and ‘common interests’ with Arab nations. His visit also comes less than a week after French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette concluded a three-day trip to Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Gaza and Jordan aimed at advancing the peace process following the election in May of right-wing politician Binyamin Netanyahu as Israel’s prime minister. Israel’s previous government advocated peace and stronger ties with Arab nations, but Netanyahu has said his administration would take a more cautious line toward regional peace. Arab countries have said they fear his rejection of the land-for-peace formula could seriously harm the peace process.
