Posted on 05/11/2004 5:14:56 PM PDT by wagglebee
Editor's note: In this WorldNetDaily exclusive interview, Fayssal Mekdad, Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, responds for the first time to accusations about Syria's role in aiding the Iraq insurgency, developing an illegal chemical weapons arsenal, harboring top Iraqi officials, and many other pressing issues. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WorldNetDaily: If America succeeds in creating a stable democracy in Iraq, how will this affect Syria? Is President Assad worried that when his own people see Iraqis living in freedom under a democratic leadership they will demand the same?
Mikdad: Frankly speaking, democracy cannot be imported or exported. The whole situation in Iraq is evolving in a very erratic way. There is no democracy in Iraq, no peace in Iraq. There is terrorism in Iraq, occupation in Iraq, disorder that the United States didn't plan on. So everything is against what the U.S. has planned.
In Syria, in spite of all the allegations made against it, we have a democratic government that fights terrorism. Our political system is supported by the people. And I assume you know that the Syrian people are fully respectful of the policies of its government. The people have the right to express themselves, to say their wishes. … And they are very satisfied with their government, irrespective of whether the American administration is provoking them or not. We don't need any outside interference in our affairs. The interference in Iraq showed how futile and how dangerous such policies are.
WND: Syria has been accused by American and foreign intelligence services of aiding the insurgency in Iraq. Just a few weeks ago, American intelligence officers claimed publicly that members of Jaish Ansar al-Sunna, which has been fighting American troops in Iraq, have been given shelter by Syrian and Iranian security agencies and have been able to enter Iraq with ease. Is Syria aiding the insurgency in any way? Or at least permitting militants to pass through Syria on their way to Iraq?
Mekdad: There is absolutely no ground for such allegations. And, frankly speaking, if you follow the situation – the threats and accusations against Syria by America – you will see them whenever the situation is escalating in Iraq.
On our side, we have proposed several measures to seal the borders. One of these measures is to ensure joint responsibility on patrolling the borders. And on the other hand, we have told the American side some two, three months ago to provide us with facilities, with technical facilities, to patrol the border. No answer has been given. We heard that some extremists and hard-liners in the American administration were not in favor of this plan.
WND: But we are constantly hearing that all these militants have been caught and they allegedly outright tell their interrogators that they came through Syria.
Mekdad: I mean, not a single proof was given to Syria that we have helped, aided or supported elements that are carrying out attacks, or even giving them information from the Syrian side. I would like to confirm 100 percent for this interview that Syria has done nothing at all, and not a single proof has been given to us, not a single one.
WND: There were reports that in the run-up to the Iraq war, many of Saddam's top government officials were offered shelter in Syria. Donald Rumsfeld repeated these claims a few weeks ago, and says that some top officials are still living there. Is this accurate?
Mekdad: This is a very big lie. Once they even claimed that Saddam Hussein himself was in Syria, and now he is in their hands. They also claimed that Saddam's two sons were in Syria, and now they have been killed. So these are mere allegations. They have no foundation, and Syria doesn't have any remnants of the Iraqi regime.
Relations between Syria and the previous regime in Iraq – and this is what the American people need to understand – was one of the worst relations in the history of the two countries. Since 1979 until 1998, the borders between Iraq and Syria were sealed, there were no diplomatic relations between the two countries. And after the establishment of the Oil-for-Food Program, relations were restored only to help with the implementation of the program.
Until this minute, there are no embassies for both countries in both capitals. So while the relationship between the U.S. and Saddam during his war against Iran were excellent relations, we did not have relations with Saddam, and we have no sympathy for him. We knew always that Saddam was a criminal.
WND: The U.S. government has been investigating intelligence reports that Saddam Hussein transferred weapons, including possibly biological or chemical weapons, to Syria before the Iraq war. Did this transfer take place?
Mekdad: Please. We don't need his weapons. We don't want them. We are committed to what we have signed. We are party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. All Arab country are parties to the treaty. The 22 Arab countries are party. The only party that is not is Israel. We think that all efforts by the U.S. and the major players in the international community should go to the real address and deal with this issue. The nuclear weapons, chemical and biological weapons are in huge quantities in Israel, and they must go there. We don't have such weapons.
WND: Meanwhile, the White house is accusing you of developing a chemical weapons arsenal. They say they have proof that Syria has been testing chemical weapons during the past year, and that you have one of the most advanced chemical weapons programs in the Arab world, one that includes Sarin and VX.
Mekdad: These are mere allegations and they cannot be substantiated.
WND: Just last week there were reports that some in the Bush administration are accusing Syria of purchasing centrifuges that can purify uranium from Abdul Qadeer Khan [the Pakistani scientist who sold nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea]. They say Syria is operating these centrifuges in defiance of the NPT. Did your government ever deal with Qadeer?
Mekdad: These are allegations. We did not have any relations with Qadeer. … Those countries that dealt with him are very well known, and I have never heard that he dealt with Syria. We are a committed party to the NPT. And the International Atomic Energy Agency visits Syria regularly, they investigate the situation, and they have never claimed such a thing.
WND: The Syrian military presence in Lebanon has received considerable U.S. attention. Does Syria plan to continue maintaining 25,000 troops in Lebanon? What will your government's response be to any call by the U.S. for Syria to remove its troops?
Mekdad: When Syria sent its troops to Lebanon in 1976, there was a very bloody civil war there. We sacrificed hundreds, if not thousands of our soldiers to stop the violence there. And now there is a government elected by the people in a democratic way, the same way the U.S. government is elected. And this government has made agreements with Syria to continue to provide necessary security to the Lebanese people.
So this is a matter between two sisterly countries, and I don't think any international government or party has a right to interfere into such relations. The U.S. has forces in several countries in the world, and we don't interfere and we are not challenging them. Our presence helps maintain security in a sisterly country.
On this occasion, I would like to reconfirm Syria's position that the presence of Syria's troops there is provisional. Syria recognizes fully the sovereignty of Lebanon, and when our Lebanese brothers feel secure, definitely certain measures will be taken to accommodate all their needs.
WND: Would you characterize the situation as an occupation?
Mekdad: Absolutely not. The Lebanese would not accept that. We are just helping them reestablish their military forces so as to withstand Israeli attacks against Lebanon, and to maintain security so civil war doesn't affect them again.
WND: What is Syria's relationship with Hezbollah? Why does it permit Hezbollah to use Lebanese territory under Syrian military control to attack positions in Israel?
Mekdad: Hezbollah has worked for the liberation of South Lebanon from occupation, and we have good relations with all Lebanese factions. Syria is open for all of them. We don't support any one party of force or section against each other, so we want to have excellent relations with all of them to ensure Lebanese security.
WND: After Israel withdrew from Lebanon, and the international community considered it a full withdrawal, Hezbollah claimed Israel is still occupying the Shebaa Farms, and seems to use that as a pretense to continue attacks. Does Syria agree that Israel did not fully withdraw?
Mekdad: It is not just Hezbollah that says that, it is also the Lebanese people, and we sympathize with all those who are doing their best to liberate their territories. This is the way people have always liberated their territories.
WND: Many intelligence agencies are saying that it appears as though Hezbollah is gearing up for a possible large escalation with Israel. After two recent Israeli air strikes against your country that followed Hezbollah attacks on Israel, is Syria concerned about a major Israeli retaliation should Hezbollah carry out additional attacks?
Mekdad: Israel has always been an aggressor country. This Likud government and Sharon, they have become more aggressive, and they are responsible for the overall escalation of the situation. Of course the Lebanese have a right to defend themselves and liberate. Israel, as the party responsible for the escalation of the situation in the region, they are threatening Syria. We take this threat seriously. I would like to assure you that Syria and the Syrian people have all the means to defend themselves and stop such attacks.
WND: President Assad is openly allowing the current overall leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshal, and many of his associates, to be based in Damascus, where Meshal even gives interviews to the media. You told me you want to fight terrorism, so why is the leader of what is labeled by the U.S. State department as a terror organization operating with permission in Syria?
Mekdad: When the Syrian government becomes an American government, we can share the same views. The different Palestinian organizations have information offices in Damascus. These organizations have voluntarily closed their offices some time ago after the escalation of threats and pressure on Syria. These factions do not carry out military actions from Syria and are not getting any support from Syria. They are part and parcel of the Palestinian people.
WND: But let's talk specifically about Meshal. Are you arguing to me that the overall leader of Hamas is not involved in terrorism – is not at all involved in what you say is the military wing of Hamas, the wing attacking Israeli civilians?
Mekdad: How can a leader in Syria or other Arab countries that I don't want to mention, orient or make military operations somewhere else? I mean neither logistically nor financially nor from the communications point of view can he do anything like this.
WND: But with technology, you can run a terror organization from almost anywhere. All you need is a cell phone and an Internet connection. We see this all the time with al-Qaida leaders. Many say Saddam Hussein was helping to lead the insurgency in Iraq from his spider hole.
Mekdad: Yeah, but you don't need to do this if you already have elements in Palestine. This argument doesn't stand when we face an Israeli control over the connections and the contacts and the movement. Anyway, there is no need for any interference of a Palestinian in Syria when you have a million and a half Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
WND: Hamas openly calls for destruction of the Jewish State. Does Syria agree with that ideology? Do you recognize the right of Israel to live as a Jewish State in the Middle East?
Mekdad: Look, if Hamas is calling for such a thing, you have to discuss it with them. What is very important is that we take back our territories. I mean, discussions about this have been almost finalized. But at the last minute, when we were expecting to sign the peace agreement, [former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud] Barak refused to sign. So the ball is in the Israeli court, and we think once there is a willingness on the part of the Israeli government to establish a just and comprehensive peace in the region, we shall solve all problems.
WND: You didn't directly answer the question: Does Syria recognize the right of Israel, under whatever ultimate borders, to live as a Jewish State in the Middle East?
Mekdad: Look, I mean, I'm sure all these issues were discussed during the peace process. The only lingering issue is the fact that Israel has refused to withdraw from our land.
WND: But right now, just a yes or a no, does Syria recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State?
Mekdad: We have to recognize that after Israel withdraws from our lands. If Israel withdraws, then a new page will be opened in the Middle East.
WND: What does the Syrian government think of Ariel Sharon's plans to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza?
Mekdad: Frankly speaking, we are accustomed to such maneuvers on the Israeli part. The main objective of this plan is really to transfer settlements and settlers into the West Bank. Sharon will vacate some settlements, but he will surround the Palestinians in Gaza from all sides, will not allow air safety and air rights for the Palestinians. So they will live in a big prison. So the Palestinians have in fact rejected this. Any Israeli withdrawal should take place, but this withdrawal should be comprehensive from all territories, not just removing settlements from one part and erect them somewhere else.
WND: The White House says it is very close to implementing the Syria Accountability Act, which is to punish Damascus for supporting terror groups, failing to stop anti-U.S. fighters from crossing into Iraq from Syria, developing chemical and perhaps biological weapons, and maintaining troops in Lebanon. What effect do you think these sanctions are going to have on the country and its leadership?
Mekdad: We hope that states do not deal with sanctions among themselves. Accountability? Who's accountable to the other? Does Syria really deserve the leveling of all these accusations? I would like to assure you that Syria has always worked in harmony with international legitimacy. So who is accountable for whom?
We would not like to see any barriers between Syrian and American dialogue. Sanctions are harmful to relations between the two countries, and we would like to see the U.S. go away from such measures and deal with countries more respectfully. We want dialogue but everything goes wrong when Israel comes to the line of discussion between Syria and the U.S.
WND: With Saddam gone and all this U.S. rhetoric against Syria, are you afraid that Syria is replacing Iraq in the so-called Axis of Evil?
Mekdad: Axises [sic] of Evil are wrong. We are good people, we are believers, we are not evil. We are the government that represents the aspirations of the people. Differences do need to be bridged through dialogue. We need to rid the Middle East from WMDs, build global civilizations based on common noble ideas. On the issue of weapons mentioned in the Act, we want to eliminate all weapons in the Middle East. We drafted a Security Council resolution to that effect, but the U.S. did not support that. We hope the U.S. government deals fairly with us and respects our views and our policies that go in line with its declared wishes of getting rid of all WMD's. Israel has all of them, so why not pressure Israel?
WND: But do you think Syria is next on the hit list?
Mekdad: I think it would be a very, very grave mistake to do it. I think the lessons in Iraq are very clear, and all of us must be educated. Syrians have their dignity and they can defend their country against whatever big or small force. It is not the responsibility of the U.S. to invade other countries. We have international institutions and Syria is a very active member in them. So we look forward to cooperation, not invasion.
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Aaron Klein is WorldNetDaily's special Middle East correspondent, whose past interview subjects have included Yasser Arafat, Ehud Barak, Shlomo Ben Ami and leaders of the Taliban.
President Assad has found his spider hole...
So was the Taliban and Saddam Hussein
Now, can anyone guess what weapon system I suggest using?
It is ABOUT TIME we start being concerned with OUR TROOPS and minimizing their losses while inflicting MASSIVE casualties on our enemy and we WON'T need 600,000 troops to clean up afterwards either.
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