Golan issue is Syria's top priorities, Information Minister says
Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - 01:45 PM
www.sana.org/eng/21/2006/11/08/83073.htm
DAMASCUS, (SANA - Syrian news agency)-

Information Minister Dr. Mohsen Bilal said that the Golan issue is on top
priority in the Syrian policy and strategy.

In an interview given to Lebanese ANB Satellite Channel Tuesday, Dr. Bilal
added that the just-concluded Golan Media Forum, held in the Syrian southern
city of Quneitra, aims at getting the world and the Arabs to shoulder their
responsibilities regarding this issue, asserting the necessity of supporting
Syria's right in restoring the occupied Golan.

He pointed out that the Forum also aims at highlighting Syria's right to
restore the occupied Golan as endorsed by the UN 242 and 338 resolutions on
the necessity of Israeli withdrawal to the June 4th 1967 line, as well as
the Security Council resolution No. 497 for the year 1981 which considered
the decision of the Israeli Knesset on annexing the Golan as null and void
illegal.
He stressed that Syria considers the Palestinian issue as the Arab central
cause, referring to the dangerous repercussions of the setback ( Nakba ) of
1967 on the Arab countries.

He underlined that the Golan issue is of top priority, activity and policy
for President Bashar al-Assad.

The Minister also condemned the American double-standards policy in dealing
with the Palestinian issue and the Middle East peace process, criticized the
American strategic, political and military support to Israel, describing the
US as non-objective and biased mediator.

On the visit of European officials to Damascus, Dr. Bilal said "we welcome
and listen to them.and we inform them of our view on peace," stressing that
resuming the peace process requires Israeli withdrawal from all occupied
Golan to June 4th 1967 Line.

He reiterated that to reach comprehensive peace, a Palestinian independent
state should be established with Jerusalem as capital and maintaining the
rights of return for the Palestinian refugees.

The Minister underlined Syria's important Role in the region, describing her
as key for peace and a part of the solution not the problem.

He wished the Lebanese dialogue and consultation session all success,
asserting that Syria wants a strong, health and stable Lebanon.

H.Zein/ ZAHRA