13 September 2004
U.S. Asks Syria for "Concrete Actions" Towards Regional Peace
State's Burns discusses Iraq, terrorism and Lebanon with Syria's al-Asad
The time has come for Syria to take "concrete actions" to demonstrate its commitment to regional security, according to Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs William Burns.
"Our hope remains that Syria will take concrete actions, as a matter of its own interest and the interest of stability in the region, to address those issues," Burns told reporters following his September 11 discussions with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad.
Burns held what he characterized as "frank and detailed discussions" with the Syrian president regarding Syria's role in supporting the Iraqi government in its efforts to shore up security and restore stability to Iraq. The talks included discussions about how U.S., Syrian and Iraqi military experts might coordinate efforts to confront the challenges.
Burns also raised the broader issue of terrorism in the region, saying, "The Syrian government must take steps to halt the activities of states, individuals and organizations operating on and from Syrian territory and in Lebanon that facilitate and direct such violence and terror." He said that Middle East peace could not be achieved against a backdrop of violence.
Washington has been critical of Syria's support for Palestinian terrorist groups, particularly Hamas, as well as its close ties with Hizbollah militias operating in southern Lebanon.
Burns also spoke to al-Asad about Syria's interference in Lebanon's internal affairs. This intervention was the subject of a recent U.N. Security Council resolution, UNSCR 1559, demanding that Syria cease interfering in Lebanon's political process and withdraw its military forces from the neighboring state.
Syria dispatched military forces to Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War. The troops were kept in place to ensure the enforcement of the Taif Accords, which brought an end to that civil conflict in 1989, and the forces have remained in Lebanon since.
In Washington's view, Damascus has used its military presence to influence Lebanon's domestic affairs, most recently the Lebanese parliament's decision to extend President Emile Lahoud's mandate in violation of the Lebanese constitution.
Following is the text of Assistant Secretary Burns' remarks to the press:
(begin transcript)
Remarks by Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns
American Cultural Center
Damascus, Syria
September 11, 2004
I have come to Damascus with a broad American delegation that reflects the serious nature of this visit.
My colleagues and I had frank and detailed discussions earlier today with President Bashar al-Asad.
We reiterated the areas of concern that have been our focus since Secretary Powell's visit last year.
Our hope remains that Syria will take concrete actions, as a matter of its own interest and the interest of stability in the region, to address those issues.
We emphasized in particular the critical importance of supporting the Iraqi government in its efforts to ensure stability and security. Syria should not be used as a platform to undermine Iraqi stability. We discussed, among other things, practical ways in which our military experts might cooperate with Syrian and Iraqi counterparts on this problem. But we stressed that what is essential now is genuine progress, not rhetoric.
We addressed the broader issue of terrorism as well, making clear that President Bush remains committed to the achievement of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, but that such a peace cannot be realized against a backdrop of violence. The Syrian government must take steps to halt the activities of states, individuals and organizations operating on and from Syrian territory and in Lebanon that facilitate and direct such violence and terror.
Finally, we underscored our deep concern over Syrian intervention in the Lebanese political process and reiterated that, in accordance with UNSCR 1559, Syria must end its interference in Lebanese internal affairs, withdraw its forces from Lebanon and allow the Lebanese Armed Forces and government to establish their authority throughout Lebanon.
If Syria takes action on these concerns, our relationship can take a very different course, with positive results for all sides. But I want to close by reiterating our fundamental message: the time has come for concrete action.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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