Moallem Stresses that Direct Negotiations with Israel Need American
Guarantees, and a European Role
Friday, July 04, 2008 - 08:30 PM
Paris,(SANA _ Syrian news agency)
www.sana.sy/eng/22/2008/07/04/182576.htm

Foreign Minister, Walid Moallem , reviewed in the presence of Arab , French
and European intellectuals, researchers and journalists at the French
Institute For International Relations , Syria's policies regarding the
issues in the region and the regional and international changes.

Moallem indicated that the indirect talks with Israeli under the mediation
of Turkey aim at laying down a common groundwork whereby Syria can move to
the direct talks , pointing out that the direct talks need American
guarantees and a European role which can be represented by France , and
there should also be a role for Russia and the United Nations.

Moallem stressed that a ground for the factors of the peace process should
be laid down , and one should make sure of the existence of the will for the
making peace , and of integrity of the Israeli society where internal
disputes prevail, noting that Syria has got assurances from Turkish Prime
Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan about Israel readiness to return the Golan ,
and Syria considers the return of the whole Golan as indisputable.

Moallem announced that President Bashar al-Assad will meet with Palestinian
President , Mahmoud Abbas next week in Damascus, expressing Syria's welcome
of the truce between Hamas and Israel, with the hope that the two sides will
be committed to it .

He reviewed the Palestinian suffering in Gaza in the light of the sanctions
and the inhuman situation imposed on the Palestinians, stressing that Syria
has been exerting efforts to achieve the Palestinian national reconciliation
, to restore the Palestinian joint action , and to find Just and
comprehensive solution to the Palestinian problem.

In reply to a question about the delay in the formation of the Lebanese
government, Moallem said that he was not a Lebanese to determine a date for
the formation of such a government but as a Syrian and as a neighbor to
brotherly Lebanon , he expressed hope that the Lebanese will reach agreement
on the formation of the Lebanese government today before tomorrow.

In reply to question on French conditions to get Syria away from Iran,
Moallem said that Syria was looking for best relations with France and so
was the case with Iran which is looking for such relations with France ,
pointing out that objective and constructive dialogue among all parties may
lead to the settlement of all pending problems.

Moallem indicated that Syria doesn't accept dictations and doesn't demand
the United States to get away from Israel in addition to that President
Sarkozy did not demand Syria to get away from Iran.

A.N.Idelbi