Bashar al-Assad in Austria: Israel has rejected two state solution, has no desire to return Golan Heights, has shown no desire for peace since assassination of Yitzak Rabin, Syria does not control Hezbollah or Hamas

President al-Assad Says that Austria is well known for its Objective  Constructive, and Just Stances toward the Palestinian Cause and Peace

Apr 27, 2009

Vienna, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad and Austrian President , Heinz Fischer, held a joint press conference following their talks held today at Hofburg Presidential Palace in Vienna.

President a-Assad thanked President Fischer for all the arrangement he made in cooperation with the Austrian government for his visit to be successful and comfortable at the same time. President al-Assad also expressed pleasure for being today in the friendly Austria which has been known for decades for her objective, constructive , and just stances toward various issues in the world , particularly toward the Middle East issues , on top of which is the Palestinian cause ,and toward the peace issue in general

President al-Assad indicated that these stances which have been accumulated through numerous decades have given Austria a special position and a special credibility. “In these latest developments in the world, our dialogue came on this level in order to utilize the position and credibility of Austria vis-à-vis these problems for the activation of the existing initiatives and finding solutions to them,” President al-Assad said.

“We are now in front of a new temperament in the world… this doesn’t mean that everything is positive; there is a positive temperament, there is a wave of optimism, but this wave is limited to a specific time that may not last and we don’t know when it will end. It is important to move as fast as possible to translate the state of optimism into direct productive work. To us, our dialogue with Austria is a must, and we expect due to what we saw during talks that it will be productive and fruitful,” President al-Assad said, adding that it is necessary to move as fast as possible at the first stage or at the first priority towards the peace process.

President al-Assad pointed out that he and President Fischer focused during their talks on the peace process, and that the peace process is an extensive term with many subsidiary headings, such as the Palestinian peace process, the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, and combating terrorism which cannot be separated from the peace process.

“We also focused on the peace process launched in 1991… we are now in 2009, 18 years after that process was launched, and we see that reality doesn’t reflect any real peace but rather we see more bloodshed in spite of some negotiations that take place at one time or another, but sometimes the later results are the opposite of what is desired. So, we must move to support the peace process on various levels; on the international level whether with the United States or in Europe or on the regional level by dealing, communicating and establishing dialogue with all the parties that are directly involved in this issue.” President al-Assad said.

“The Austrian stance always supports the peace process, and so is the European stance… however, we discussed how to transform this agreement in stances between us and Austria and the European Union into an executive work plan.” President al-Assad said.

President Bashar al-Assad said that his talks with President Fischer touched upon the Iranian nuclear file where Syria stressed the necessity for any proposed international initiative to be committed to Nuclear Arms Non- Proliferation Treaty which  gives the right to any country in  the world to have a reactor for peaceful purposes and at the same time there are mechanisms for monitoring , noting that an international dialogue with Iran is possible according to these points and this is what Syria supports.

Regarding the situation in Iraq, President al-Assad said “We have expressed our satisfaction with regard to the situation in Iraq, particularly on the backdrop of the latest elections of the local administration which we believe was a step forward with regard to the Iraqi political process that needs other steps to be completed. Such results encourage us to be more optimistic that Iraq has become away from the danger of any civil war and is restoring unity, and Syria is improving relations with Iraq and seeking to extend help to it in order to reach stability.”

President al-Assad went on, “We discussed several political issues, and I will give you some headlines and leave the details for your questions,” adding that in regards to bilateral issues, there will be a meeting on Tuesday with businessmen to sign a number of memos of understanding that will later become agreements once relevant establishments approve them.

“Once again, I want to thank President Fischer… I take this opportunity to thank the Austrian government for its commitment to participating in the UN forces on the Syrian borders in the occupied Golan.” President al-Assad said.

President al-Assad added “Talking about negotiations might be a media speech because what we see and hear of statements is completely contrary… many days ago, we have heard that the Israeli government has no desire or is not ready to return back the Golan… Earlier, we had heard a clear rejection of the principle of establishing two Palestinian and Israeli states, and all know that there is an international support, with no exceptions, to Syria’s right in restoring its full occupied lands.”

The President said that if the first and second elements were not available, it would be difficult to say there is a serious and real thing happens towards peace President al-Assad underlined that the Golan is a right, a land for us and a right for us, so it should be restored in all cases.

“Since the assassination of Rabin, we have never seen any real indication towards peace process, and if we return back to the diaries of a number of US officials, including President Bill Clinton, we will notice this speech literally on the maneuvers that have been done,” the President added.

He said, “Frankly, we don’t expect this Israeli government to give a peace, but it doesn’t maneuver, it is frank that it doesn’t want peace.”

President al-Assad said “On another level, we aren’t trying to connect working for peace with certain tactical changes that occur for electoral reasons… we and our European friends, and even the US administration… any US administration… never stop working to establish a vision or a work plan for this peace.”

“When there is an Israeli government that is ready for peace, whether it’s this government or another one, then we can move with them directly… we can say that we don’t trust, we can say that they won’t achieve peace, but that doesn’t mean we don’t assume that everything is possible in politics.” President al-Assad pointed out.

Regarding the possibility of convincing Hezbollah and Hamas of the two-states solution if Syria manages to reach a peace treaty with Israel, President al-Assad said “Syrian can achieve peace on its land and borders, but it can’t achieve it on behalf of other countries,” pointing out that there are three tracks for the peace process, adding “Hezbollah isn’t in Syria; it’s in Lebanon, and it’s a party like any other party with basis and public support in Lebanon. As for Hamas, it’s a party in the Palestinian lands, and if they want to deal with these two sides in the framework of the peace process then this means that Israel must consider the three tracks at the same time, which is what we call the comprehensive peace.”

President al-Assad pointed out that discussing the Syrian track might achieve a peace treaty with Syria only, and it doesn’t mean achieving complete and real peace, which is why Syria’s stance supports negotiations on the three tracks at the same time in order to reach comprehensive peace that ends debate regarding these points.

For his part, Austrian President Heinz Fischer said “I am glad to have the opportunity to receive President of the Syrian Arab Republic and the delegation accompanying him and to welcome them in Austria,” adding that he met President al-Assad after his election as a president when he visited Syria as the Speaker of the Austrian Parliament, noting that they improved and bolstered relation between them ever since.

“In December 2007, we agreed upon President al-Assad’s visit to Austria, which will be beneficial not only to Austria, but to Syria, the European Union, and the entirety of Europe.” President Fischer said.

“President al-Assad will meet all the heads of the Austrian government, including the Austrian Chancellor, Speaker of the Parliament, and the Vice Chancellor, in addition to former Chancellors Gusenbauer and Vranitzky. These are of course opportunities to discuss several issues, and during the talks we held now we discussed bilateral relation, agreeing that these relations are very positive, deep-rooted and advanced.”

The Austrian President pointed out that visits were exchanged between the two countries in 2008, and that an important part of bilateral relations focuses on the economic field which developed in 2008, resulting in a positive rate of exports and imports, adding “I believe there is an issue, or an important duty, on out shoulders now… we are committed to this high economic rate even in light of the current financial and economic crisis.”

“We will be discussing this issue tomorrow morning in the Syrian-Austrian Economic Forum. There are several agreements, like the agreement for avoiding double taxation and protecting investments… all of them are agreements that we can use to boslter economic relations.” President Fischer said.

President Fischer said “I look at this visit as a possibility for dialogue and discussing relations between the European Union and Syria… Austria’s viewpoint is that the agreement for integration, cooperation and coordination between the two countries can be signed, and there are many European countries that encourage this point of view.

The Austrian President underlined Syria’s pivotal role in the Middle East issues and several matters related to this issue, noting that talks dealt with these matters, with President al-Assad explaining his stance and viewpoints regarding them, adding “I am glad that we agree in many opinions and viewpoints.”

“It is important to Europe and the European Union that the UN Security Council will form an opinion regarding Iran and its nuclear program… Austria could be able to explain matters and find a solution through negotiations in this field… what is important now is to have cooperation between Iran and the UN’s nuclear affairs agency.” President Fischer said.

Regarding the peace in the Middle East between Syria in Israel, President Fischer said talks dealt with this issue, adding “I believe it was good that the two countries began indirect talks. Unfortunately, these talks ended because of what happened in Gaza at the end of last year, and the two sides were unable to resume these talks. We are worried that it may be difficult to return to this process, but I believe we must return to this track. Of course we all can’t choose government… Austria can’t choose the Israeli government nor can Syria, and the same goes for Israel.”

On the role that could be played by Austria to achieve peace in the Middle East, the Austrian President said, “Austria will be a member in the UN Security Council for two years, and we will avail this responsibility in the interest of peace process and in a positive and fair image… President al-Assad has underlined that he considers the Austrian stance from this side…and Austria could take tangible and positive steps and present proposals at Security Council… we contact Turkey several times in a week on this issue and with the other members counties at Security Council.”

President Fischer made clear that the Austrian government does its best towards that approach…. and announces a stances towards many issues, For example, what has happened in Gaza was unfair, a big number of victims have died, and this was not suitable with the aim mentioned by Israel.

As for the future of the Syrian-European relations, the Austrian President said, “I look forward to President al-Assad’s visit in the framework of good and positive development and approach between Syria and the EU.”

“Since decades, Austria has maintained and consolidated  good relations with Syria, but in the first years of the 21st century, there were some difficult conditions… Austria has been insisting on returning back to dialogue to solve issues, for example using violence in Iraq will not solve the problem…. I believe that US President Obama and the US Administration have changed their stances, and as I heard from President al-Assad during our last talks that French President Nicolas Sarkozy considers the issues with another vision from many sides…. So, I believe that Syria and the EU make rapprochements and consolidate these relations.”

A. N. Idelbi / Mazen / H. Sabbagh

Bashar al-Assad praises Austria’s “just stance” on Palestinian cause

President al-Assad Says that Austria is Well Known for its Objective  Constructive, and Just Stances toward the Palestinian Cause and Peace     Apr 27, 2009   Vienna, (SANA)- President Bashar al-Assad and Austrian President, Heinz Fischer, held a joint press conference following their talks held today at Hofburg Presidential Palace in Vienna. President a-Assad thanked President Fischer for all the arrangement he made in cooperation with the Austrian government for his visit to be successful and comfortable at the same time. President al-Assad also expressed pleasure for being today in the friendly Austria which has been known for decades for her objective, constructive, and just stances toward various issues in the world, particularly toward the Middle East issues, on top of which is the Palestinian cause, and toward the peace issue in general  President al-Assad indicated that these stances which have been accumulated through numerous decades have given Austria a special position and a special credibility. “In these latest developments in the world came our dialogue on this level in order to utilize the position and credibility of Austria vis a vis these problems for the activation of the existing initiatives and finding solutions to them, President al-Assad said. President Bashar al-Assad said that his talks with President Fischer touched upon the Iranian nuclear file where Syria stressed the necessity for any proposed  international initiative to be committed to Nuclear Arms Non- Proliferation Treaty which  gives the right to any country in  the world to have a reactor for peaceful purposes and at the same time there are mechanisms for monitoring , noting that an international dialogue with Iran is possible according to these points and this is what Syria supports. Regarding the situation in Iraq, President al-Assad  said : ”  We have expressed our satisfaction with regard to the situation in Iraq , particularly on the backdrop of the latest elections of the local administration which we believe was a step forward with regard to the Iraqi political process that  needs other steps to be completed. Such results encourage us to be more optimistic that Iraq has become away from the danger of any civil war and is restoring unity, and Syria is improving relations with Iraq and seeking to extend help to it in order to reach stability. A.N.Idelbi