DIPLOMACY

MOHAMAD ALI HAMOUI: Syria has emphasized and assured repeatedly that it does not have weapons of mass destruction. We belong to the group of signatories of the international treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. President Bashar Asad has appealed for the transformation of the entire Middle East into a region free of weapons of mass destruction. Syria has submitted this project to the UN Security Council. The main opponents of Syria’s initiative are: Israel, the only country in the region that possesses nuclear weapons, and the United States.

We are not surprised by the accusations directed against Syria by Israel, which enjoys the full support of the US. I would like to state firmly, however, that Syria does not support terrorism in any form and no terrorist organization operates on Syria’s territory. On the contrary, Syria was and is the target of terrorist attacks. That is why our country has cooperated with international organizations in the name of the fight against terrorism. Everyone knows this, including Syria’s enemies. I would like to mention that my country has called for more than 10 years for an international conference devoted to defining terrorism, finding ways of fighting against it and differentiating between terrorism and national resistance against foreign occupation.

Our strategic choice is lasting, just and widespread peace in the region. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is an integral element of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Syria believes that there will be no peace in the region unless Israel complies entirely with international law and the resolutions of the UN Security Council. The whole world knows that by rejecting all of the UN’s resolutions and breaking international law, Israel is hampering the peace process. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict will last just as long as the occupation and as long as there are Palestinian refugees. When Israel implements the resolutions of the Security Council, and particularly resolutions 242 and 194, when Israel withdraws from all occupied Arab lands, the road to peace in the region will be opened in accordance with the “land for peace” principle.

Yes. Rule has officially been transferred to the Iraqis. A normalization of the situation will depend on the degree of actual competence that Iraq will need in the future. I believe that peace and stabilization in Iraq will not materialize until the foreign militaries stationed on its territory are withdrawn and a stable government is chosen through free, democratic elections. The Iraqi nation is educated, aware and able to rule independently and develop the country.

The situation in Iraq is very bad. Everyone admits this, even the Americans. The situation is of course a result of occupation. What happens in Iraq influences events in Syria and other neighboring countries and – generally – creates conditions which encourage terrorism. The state of war and anarchy in Iraq also impinges negatively on the peace process and development in our region. That is why we are very worried about the drawn out state of affairs. Syria itself is unable to have an effect on events in Iraq. That is why our country uses the UN forum and cooperation with other neighboring countries to achieve the ethnic and territorial unity of Iraq, although without interference in Iraq’s internal affairs.

Syrian-Polish relations have a long tradition and are currently good. In the history of our countries there have never been misunderstandings, squabbling, or even reasons for conflict. In the political sphere our countries regularly coordinate their positions on international fora and during official visits. In the scientific and cultural spheres we also have traditional and extensive cooperation, among others in the form of grants, research and exhibition organization. Since the 1950s until today, the Polish archeological mission has conducted its excavation work and research without interruption on the territory of Syria.

While economic relations are a cause for concern, they were very extensive in the past. Now, however, they cannot compete with political relations. On our side we strive to improve this state of affairs in light of the great potential of both countries. This potential is not explored in a way which satisfies either side.

In terms of Polish participation in the Iraqi operation, Syria treats this as a sovereign decision by Poland and does not want to interfere in the internal affairs of other states. We trust, however, that the mission of the Polish contingent in Iraq will remain a stabilization mission only, intended to ensure safety and order in Iraq and nothing more. We hope that stabilization will take place as soon as possible, which will mean – in accordance with earlier declarations – that the Polish military will return home quickly and without unnecessary losses. At the same time, I would like to underline the important and peaceful role played by Poland in UN peacekeeping missions in various corners of the world, as well as in Syria. We value this role very highly.

Stabilization in the whole region is in Syria’s interest. Therefore it is logical that we would do everything in our power, in accordance with our opportunities, to act for stabilization and peace in the region. In pursuit of this goal, Syria coordinates and participates in all Arab and international meetings devoted to building stabilization in the region.

The Syrian presence in Lebanon is legal. It came about as a result of an agreement with the legal government of Lebanon and at its request as well as with the permission of the League of Arab States. In this matter there are no misunderstandings between Syria and Lebanon. Our presence has no negative impact on the internal situation – of either Syria or Lebanon. All Lebanese know that the presence of the Syrian army is a stabilizing factor for Lebanon itself.

Syria is ruled in accordance with the law and a constitution guaranteeing democracy and political and economic pluralism. The Syrian nation, with all of its political, religious, social and ethnic entities, is characterized by widespread awareness and great patriotism, which allows the country to cooperate closely with state authorities to ensure national peace and internal stability. I would like to point out that, according to UN data, Syria is third worldwide in terms of internal peace and stabilization.

Islam, as we know, is a religion of peace and not war. Those who commit terrorist acts in the name of Islam, whether they want to or not, are attacking Islam itself. However, we should remember that there are also groups working actively to associate Islam and Muslims themselves with war and terrorism. This is despite the fact that these forces are aware of the peaceful and humanistic principles of the Muslim religion, which call men to brotherhood, love and peaceful coexistence between all nations.

I don’t think so. I have noticed, however, calculated attempts to impose that definition on everything that is happening around the world. On the other hand, we must recognize the multifaceted efforts made by political, social and religious forces to further cooperation between civilizations through constant dialogue that is designed to lead to coordinated action between civilizations and not clashes. I believe that the current global situation is nothing more than a conflict of political and economic interests between wealthy and poor states, based on the domination of one group. I believe that the only path to an end of so-called civilizational clashes is the elimination of poverty, backwardness and illiteracy.