February 11, 2005

AL-ASSAD - PUTIN SUMMIT IGNORES RESOLUTION 1559. THE SYRIAN PRESIDENT STRESSES SYRIA'S ENDEAVOUR TO ACHIEVE PEACE AND HOLDS ISRAEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STALEMATE OF THE PEACE PROCESS. PRESIDENT PUTIN: RUSSIA WOULD NEVER UPSET THE MIDDLE EAST'S REGIONAL BALANCE AND ANY SALE OF THE ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES COULD BE ALLOWED FOR "DEFENSIVE PURPOSES." THE FRENCH PRESIDENT STRESSES HIS COUNTRY'S COMMITMENT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOLUTION 1559. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and President Vladimir Putin of Russia signed a joint statement to continue deepening cooperation and friendship relations between the two countries. The statement said that both sides stress keenness on enhancing bilateral relations based on the international law and principles of the UN Convention including the principle of equality, respect, confidence and mutual interest. It added that the two sides express confidence that the 21st century world system should be built on the international law, taking into consideration the interest of all countries and mechanisms of formulating unanimous stances to solve international issues through the pivotal role the UN assumes. Both sides also underlined that the UN correct and non-selective resolutions could contribute to boosting the Organization and Security Council's respect in the international issues. "Both sides call for putting a comprehensive strategy through the leading role of the UN to confront the newly- raised threats and challenges in the 21st century in order to make a progress to achieve the declared goals of the UN millennium statement," the joint statement added. It said the two countries are committed to achieve strong cooperation and coordination under the umbrella of the UN and other international organizations in the central international issues to avoid eruption of regional disputes and conflicts and to solve them peacefully, in addition to combating the international crime, drugs, money laundering, and in boosting the multi-sided stances to ensure the international security and stability and increase effectiveness of the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly. In this context, the two sides agreed to make consultations on issues related to enhancing cooperation between Russia, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Conference in which Syria is an active member. Syria and Russia agreed to cooperate in the field of boosting international stability and preventing the proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction, pointing to importance of commitment to the UN Security Council resolution No. 1540 and freeing the Middle East from all kinds of WMD. "Democracy and reforms in the Middle East should be in line with the historical, spiritual and civilizational features of states and are strongly linked to the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace in the region," the statement added. The two countries condemn all kinds of terrorism and assert the dire need for mobilizing the international community to fight this phenomena, asserting necessity for defining "terrorism" and for combating its political, economic and geographical factors, including regional disputes. They also announced that terrorism has no relation with ethnic or religious beliefs and could never be considered as a clue for the alleged civilization conflict, expressing readiness for cementing joint action to fight international terrorism and the double-standard policy towards this phenomena, the organized crime, the illegitimate use of WMD and drugs smuggling. In this regard, both sides agreed that signing an agreement on combating crime as soon as possible contributes to deepening cooperation between the two sides. "Syria and Russia are to coordinate their efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on the UN Security Council resolutions No. 242, 338, 1515 and other relevant resolutions" the statement said, pointing out that quick resumption of non-preconditioned negotiations on the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese tracks could help reach a just and comprehensive settlement that provides for Israel's pullout of all the occupied Arab lands, the establishment of the Palestinian state and solving the problem of the refugees. Regarding the Iraqi issue, both sides stressed commitment to Iraq's territorial integrity, sovereignty and security, asserting support to the underway political process in Iraq to achieve reconciliation and secure rights of all Iraqis regardless of their religious or ethnic belonging in line with the UN resolution No. 1546 whose implementation creates the proper conditions for the foreign troops pullout from the country. The joint statement said the two sides would promote to deepen the political dialogue and develop the comprehensive cooperation on exchanging contacts and visits of the Parliamentary delegations, noting that they would actively use coordination and consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries in both countries. It added that the two sides were to enhance the mutual cooperation in the technical, scientific, trade and economic fields and they would give priority to dealing with energy, irrigation, oil and gas transit and exploration as well railways with the fertilizers production and mines industry with other domains that both sides are interested to develop cooperation in. It pointed out that they would work to make contacts among the scientific institutions and the higher education institutions and they would further implement projects and joint programs in technical and scientific field as well as the exchange of expertise and the available scientific information, taking into consideration the two countries' needs and their international commitments. It stressed the two sides would reactivate the Syrian-Russian Joint Permanent Committee for trade cooperation as well as technical, scientific and economic cooperation with the aim of the wide use of the available experience they have. The statement noted the two sides would foster by all means businessmen ties and contacts development with their federations including the Syrian-Russian Businessmen Council. It underlined that two sides would develop traditional cooperation in the military technical field in a way that meets mutual concerns of both countries and their international commitments. It said the two sides would cooperate in providing legal assistance related to civil and family affairs as well as criminal and civil law in addition to accelerate an agreement signing in this respect. The two sides have to support by all means cultural and human contact developments and cooperation including scholarships exchange among universities, institutes and the higher studies sections. Syria and Russia will work to extend Arabic-Russian language scope of teaching in a balanced way in both countries, the statement said. It called to adopt the needed procedures to facilitate contacts among Syrian and the Russian citizens for scientific, cultural, tourist and trade aims as well as making private trips. Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin signed a raft of documents in the Kremlin to revive flagging economic ties and deepen military cooperation. Projects in areas including oil and gas production and investment aim to reverse a slump that reduced the volume of bilateral trade from around one billion U.S. dollars in 1992 to some 210 million in 2004. Russia will also write off 73 per cent of Syria's debts amounting to 13.4 billion dollars, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said after the consultations. In a joint declaration on friendship and cooperation, Moscow and Damascus also agreed to "develop traditional cooperation in the military-technical sphere with consideration of mutual interests and international obligations". But Syria's acquisition of modern Russian missiles was not a topic, President Assad said earlier, despite Israeli claims that a major arms deal is in the works. The leaders sought new impetus for ties that flourished in previous decades. "Syria is a country that had special and extremely warm relations with the Soviet Union and with Russia today," Putin told Assad, who arrived in Moscow last Monday on a four-day visit. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the proposed sale of missiles to Syria was still under discussion despite US and Israeli opposition, in a interview published in an Israeli daily. Putin told the English language Jerusalem Post that Russia would never upset the Middle East's regional balance but said any sale of the controversial anti-aircraft missiles could be allowed for "defensive purposes." "While we're talking about supplies of weapons to countries in the region, such a supply should be understood in the light of supporting defensive capacities, as in Syria," he said. Israel and the United States have both expressed disquiet about a possible sale of the Russian-made SA-18 surface to air missiles. "First of all, we understand and are committed to maintaining the balance of forces in the region. We understand our responsibilities. We have not taken a single step to violate that balance and we will follow that pattern in the future," said the Russian president. "Second of all, we won't bring to the region weapons that can be used by terrorists or that can be transferred to terrorists without controls." President Bashar al-Assad said talks he held with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were in a cordial atmosphere and announced the two countries have settled down debts problem. "Talks are in a very cordial atmosphere and dealt with bilateral relations, international and regional issues of mutual interest and there is an agreement on boosting standing ties based on equity, respect and mutual confidence," in a statement to the press, President Assad said. He announced that we were capable of reaching a settlement over the pending problem of debts between Russia and Syria noting that this would push the economic ties forward. The President also announced a number of accords have been signed mainly in the energy field in addition to some accords that will regulate these relations and pointing out that the issue of building the free trade zone was raised and will be studied in the future. Talking about the Middl East peace process, President Assad said we noted the stalemate on the peace process would passively be reflected on the region states and peoples and would lead to mount violence and state of instability. "There has been an assertion on the need of close cooperation to achieve the just and comprehensive peace that is based on Madrid reference and the two UN resolutions 242 and 338 and the other international relevant resolutions in addition to the land for peace formula and the Arab peace initiative of Beirut Summit in 2002," the President said adding that talks also underlined the resumption of negotiations on the three tracks with no preconditions in a way that would lead to reach a just and comprehensive solution guaranteeing Israel's full withdrawal from all the occupied lands in 1967 and the building of the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. President Assad said there were an emphases on the need to make the Middle East free of Weapons of Mass Destruction while regarding Iraq, he noted there were a stress on its unity and the national identity together with support to the political process with the need of the Iraqis all spectrums participation in elections. On the international level, President Assad said there were an underlining of the want to build a more democratic world and to cement the UN pivotal role in keeping international security and peace noting to the ought of making structural reforms to the UN. "We expressed our denunciation of the terror and agreed to work together as to combat it and view points agreed to deal with this phenomena roots and causes," the President concluded. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin of Russia described his talks with President Bashar al-Assad as very important and of tangible outcomes. "The talks resulted in signing a joint statement to continue deepening cooperation and friendship relations between the two countries in a way to give new strong move for cooperation and pave the way for new horizons to enhance economic and cultural relations between both countries," President Putin said in a joint press conference with President Assad following talks in Moscow. He said that he discussed with President Assad boosting the economic and trade relations, adding that both countries have rich expertise for the joint work And the successful implementation of great projects, including energy, petroleum and gas exploration and transport roads. President Putin expressed confidence that the Russian-Syrian Businessmen Council, established in the year 2004, will increase effectiveness of bilateral cooperation as well as building up new projects. He also thanked Syria over its supportive stance to appoint Russia as a monitor at the Organization of Islamic Council. There is great similarity between the Syrian and Russian stance on Lebanon, said Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq Al-Sharaa. In an interview with the daily Lebanese Al-Safir, Al-Sharaa said that talks between Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin touched on the Lebanese issue adding "if our stances are not exact then they are very similar." He went on to say that the two countries have a identical views on Iraq, noting that "Iraq's unity is essential and the political process is important despite doubts over its success." "We are worried over Iraq's future but hope that these worries prove uncalled for, as well as for Iraqis to overcome the dangerous circumstances they are in so as for them to reconstruct a unified and violence-free Iraq," he added. The Foreign Minister denied allegations that Moscow is acting as a mediator between Damascus and Tel Aviv, noting that "Israel cannot defy the world forever." "For how long will Israel continue to refuse Europe's participation in the resumption of the peace process?" he wondered. Meanwhile, an official Russian source told the same daily that "there is serious intent on the part of the Russian leadership to establish strategic relations with Syria." Putin and Al-Assad signed a protocol for the settlement of debts due to Russia, total 15 billion US dollars after a write off of 73 percent of these debts. Russian Foreign Minister Srgei Lavrov underlined the importance of President Bashar al-Assad' s recent visit to Russia saying: " The visit would contribute in deepening political dialogue between the two friendly countries Syria and Russia." In a statement to SANA correspondent in Moscow, Lavrov described as "historical and of big richness." the Syrian-Russian relations underlining that the visit will push the bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries in all fields forward. "Syria is the most important partner for Russia in the Middle East" Lavrov said reminding of long the history of the existing relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries. He called for pullout of the Israeli occupation from all the occupied Arab territories were occupied in 1976 including the Syrian Golan Heights. "Russia has been calling for reaching to a comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of the relevant international legitimacy resolutions, Madrid terms of reference, land-for-peace formula in addition to Beirut Arab Summit Peace Initiative." Lavrov said. He stressed the impossibility to achieve peace in the region without Syria and Lebanon. "Syria has repeatedly stressed role of dialogue in solving conflicts." The minister said emphasizing Russia's rejection of threats policy that aggravates the situation. Lavrov voiced Russia's deep concern over the situation in Iraq asserting the necessity for Iraq to restore stability and peaceful life as soon as possible hoping that the forthcoming Iraqi elections would be honest and free elections that all Iraqis would participate in. He pointed out to Syria's initiative for freeing the Middle East from weapons of mass destructions saying that " Implementation of this initiative will boost security and stability in the region and the world as a whole. He confirmed the importance of contribution of Arab and Islamic countries to establish more secure and stable world system through multi-sides cooperation under patronage of the UN and sovereignty of the international law. "Russia is giving a great care for boosting political coordination with the Arab League and Organization of the Islamic Conference." Lavrov concluded. Minister of Finance Muhammad al-Hussein said that agreement, on settling debts, signed between Syria and Russia today is in the interests of both countries and opens the way for more advanced relations. "Syria's total debt was $ 14.5 billions, $ 1.1 billion was dropped according to Syrian financial demands, the amount would be $ 13.4 billions after negotiations both sides agreed that the total settlement amount will be $ 3.616 billions which equals 27% of the total debt," Minister of Finance declared in press conference in Moscow. He added that $ 1.5 billion will be paid to Russia during the coming ten years, in addition, the Syrian side will transfer $ 2.116 as one payment to a private account for Russia in the Central Bank of Syria by Syrian pounds pricing 11.20 for each dollar. He said that Russia will use this amount to buy Syrian goods or make Russian investments in Syria. Minister Hussein added that solving the problem of debts will contribute to attracting foreign investments in Syria. On the other hand French President Jacques Chirac, who received on Friday Maronite Cardinal Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, reiterated France's attachment to the full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1559. "Chirac reiterated France's attachment to the full implementation of this resolution ... Therefore the upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections are a crucial step that will be closely watched by the international community," said Jerome Bonnafont, the Elysee's spokesman. The private meeting between Chirac and Sfeir, who also met with Pope John-Paul II earlier this week, was followed by a luncheon and took place at the Elysee Palace in Paris. The reunion mainly focused on "the relationship between France and Lebanon, the Lebanese internal situation, the position of Christians in the Middle East and the means to respond to the demands of the International community expressed by the 1559 Resolution," said Bonnafont. Adopted on Sept. 2 on a French and American initiative, the UN Resolution calls for the withdrawal of the Syrian troops from Lebanon as well as the disarmament of the militias. Sfeir, considered as the leader of the Christian opposition and unofficial patron of the Christian Opposition Qornet Shehwan Gathering, also stressed his support to the UN Resolution. "We are not here to ask for guarantees concerning the implementation of the UN Resolution ... All the stances we are adopting aim at securing a free and sovereign Lebanon and the UN resolution calls for the independence of Lebanon," said Sfeir after the meeting which he said was "excellent." He also said that the implementation would be difficult. Citing Chirac, Bonnafont referred to the Maronite Patriarch as "one of the most important personalities of the country," saying Sfeir's moral authority went beyond divisions and symbolized the unity and the Lebanese people's will to live together, as well as Lebanon's attachment to public freedom and democratic values. "In times when Lebanon is facing major challenges, France, which is attached to its independence, sovereignty and democratic traditions, is confident in the ability of the Lebanese to take up (the challenges) and live together in peace and harmony," the French spokesman said. In his fifth visit to Paris, Sfeir said France had always been a friend to Lebanon and is still one. Asked about a visit to Syria, Sfeir said he would go only when the relationship between both countries is normalized. He also commented on the new electoral law, saying that there should be one and definite law issued.