Excerpts: Assad 'confident' of Iran,Russia support. Saudi King to U.S. 4
Sept. Jordan's King, Russia's Putin re bilateral cooperation August 26, 2015

+++SOURCE: BBC News: 26 Aug.’15:”Assad ‘confident’ of Iranian and Russian
support”
SUBJECT: Assad ‘confident of Iran, Russia support
QUOTE:”The Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, has said he is confident he
has the continuing support of key allies Iran and Russia.”

FULL TEXT:A fresh push is under way to resolve Syria's four-year conflict,
leading to speculation Mr Assad could be forced out to reach a settlement.

But Mr Assad said Russia and Iran did not abandon their friends.

Meanwhile France has said that the "neutralisation" of the Syrian leader was
essential to ending the crisis.

French President Francois Hollande said: "We must reduce the terrorist
influence without maintaining Assad. The two are bound up together."

Iran and Russia though have maintained he needs to be part of a political
solution.

The flurry of diplomatic activity on Syria has followed the recent nuclear
deal reached between Iran and world powers.

But Mr Assad, speaking to Al-Manar, a Lebanese TV station run by his
Hezbollah allies, said there was no imminent breakthrough in sight.

He said a solution was only possible if the outside world stopped supporting
"terrorism", a term he has used to describe both opposition activists and
organised jihadist groups.

The BBC Beirut correspondent, Jim Muir, says the positions spelt out by Mr
Assad remain unchanged, despite the dire situation his forces face on the
ground.

Syria's conflict began with anti-government demonstrations in 2011, but
morphed into a bloody multi-party conflict that has left more than 250,000
dead.

The UN's envoy to the Syrian crisis, Staffan de Mistura, has proposed a
series of consultations between key parties as a means towards formal peace
talks.

But in his interview Mr Assad called the UN envoy biased.


+++Source: Naharnet(Lebanon)26 Aug.’15:”Saudi King to Visit U.S. for First
Time since Rift”,Agence France Presse
SUBJECT: Saudi King to U.S. 4 Sept.

QUOTE:”U.S.airial refueling, intelligence and other assistance have also
supported Saud-led coalition …in Yemen”

FULL TEXT:Saudi King Salman will visit the United States next month for the
first time since acceding the throne and following a rift over America's
rapprochement with Iran, a diplomat said Wednesday[26 Aug.].

The monarch, who pulled out of a Gulf leaders' summit with U.S. President
Barack Obama in May at the last minute, would travel to Washington on
September 4, the Saudi diplomat said.

He would also attend a U.S.-Saudi forum in Washington to be held on
September 4-6, the source said, requesting anonymity.

The forum would focus on "energy, health, petrochemicals as well as
financial services," among other issues, said the diplomat.

Washington has sought to allay the concerns of its traditional allies over a
historic deal it and other world powers reached with Tehran over the Islamic
republic's suspect nuclear program.

Since late last year, OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia has also been part of a
U.S.-led coalition bombing the Islamic State group which has occupied parts
of Iraq and Syria.

U.S. aerial refueling, intelligence and other assistance have also supported
a Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting Iran-backed rebels in Yemen.


SOURCE:JordanTimes 26 Aug.’15:”Jordan,Russia agree to expand partnership in
various fields”,

SUBJECT: Jordan’s King,Russia’s Putin re bilateral cooperation

QUOTE:”Jordan seeks to benefit from Russian expertise in generating
electricity from nuclear energy”

FULL TEXT:AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday[25 Aug] met with
Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and discussed bilateral
cooperation as well as developments in the Middle East, a Royal Court
statement said.During the meeting at the Kremlin, the two leaders voiced
their mutual interest in enhancing cooperation in most fields to benefit
both countries and people.

Moreover, they said they are seeking the expansion of partnerships in the
fields of military cooperation, air and railway transportation, as well as
religious and medical tourism.Discussions also covered ways to increase
trade exchange and Jordanian exports to Russia, particularly agricultural
and pharmaceutical products, which have recently witnessed an increase,
according to the statement.

His Majesty and Putin highlighted the importance of the Jordanian-Russian
Higher Joint Committee meeting to be held within the next few months to
discuss economic projects in the field of energy, especially since Jordan
seeks to benefit from Russian expertise in generating electricity through
nuclear energy.

On the regional and international levels, the two leaders discussed recent
developments on current issues, especially combating terrorism and extremism
as part of a comprehensive approach and with the participation of all
stakeholders.

Moreover, they reviewed the developments of the Syrian crisis as well as
several other countries in the region, in addition to efforts of reviving
Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.

In remarks to reporters ahead of the talks, the King and Putin commended the
level of Jordanian-Russian relations."Mr President, thank you very much.
Again, I am very impressed today with the air show. It was truly a very
memorable occasion to be with you this afternoon," His Majesty said.

"I was especially touched with the programme you have for the youth,
especially with technology and science. That was very impressive," he added.

"I’m delighted to be back here in Moscow; and as you well know, we have a
very strong and important relationship between our two countries that you
have continued to build between our two nations."

Addressing Putin, the King said: "I am looking forward to being able to
discuss many of the major challenges in our region that have been plaguing
us for several years; and the vital role that you and Russia have been
playing for such a long time and continue to play to bring stability to our
region.

"Not only trying to bring Israelis and Palestinians closer together to find
a peaceful solution to that long and difficult conflict.

"... I have said for many years, as we try to find a solution for Syria, I
have believed that the only way we can find a solution for Syria is the
vital role that you and your country play to find a political solution for
all parties to bring stability to that country that has endured so much."

His Majesty stressed that "your role and the role of your nation is vital
for our area; and I am delighted to be back here in Moscow to be able to
listen to you and to be able to exchange with you and my colleagues here in
Moscow today."Also speaking to reporters, Putin welcomed King Abdullah.

"Your Majesty, dear friends and colleagues, we are glad to see you on the
sidelines of our MAKS Show 2015 and to discuss the challenges of our regions
and nations," he said.

“You have been interested in the first exhibition of MAKS ... because you
are a military man,” Putin added."...We will be also glad to discuss our
bilateral relations. I know that our colleagues from the government of both
countries cooperate with each other," the Russian leader said.

Putin also held a dinner banquet in honour of His Majesty and the
accompanying delegation, which included HRH Prince Feisal, Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh; King's Military Adviser and
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben; King’s National
Security Adviser and General Intelligence Department Director Gen. Faisal
Shobaki; King's Office Director Jafar Hassan; and Rapporteur of the National
Policies Council Abdullah Wreikat. From the Russian side, Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov and a number of senior officials and officers attended the
banquet.
=======================
Sue Lerner -Associate, IMRA