Syrian VP: We'll retaliate for Israeli aggression
Following IDF's reported violation of Syrian airspace, Farouk al-Shara tells
Italian newspaper La Repubblica, 'All I can say is that the military and
political echelon is looking into a series of responses as we speak. Results
are forthcoming'
Nir Magal YNET Published: 09.08.07, 22:20 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3447331,00.html

"Damascus will retaliate," Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Shara said
Saturday in an interview with Italian newspaper Le Repubblica following
Israel's reported violation of Syrian airspace on Thursday.

Asked what the response would be, al-Shara replied, "I cannot reveal the
details, as this is an issue of national security. All I can say is that the
military and political echelon is looking into a series of responses as we
speak. Results are forthcoming."

Al-Shara was visiting Italy for meetings with Prime Minister Romano Prodi,
Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema and Pope Benedict XVI, and spoke to the
paper from his hotel in Rome.

The Syrian vice president took advantage of the interview in order to slam
the US-sponsored Middle East peace conference scheduled to take place in
November.

"The conference will not advance peace, because Washington does not really
view it as important, and has turned it into a photo opportunity, aimed at
diverting the attention from Iraq.

"Meanwhile, an unprecedented arms race has been launched in the Middle East,
increasing the risk of new military adventures, such as Israel's in Syria
two days ago. Syria will retaliate for this violation."

Asked about President Shimon Peres' appeal to Syria, speaking of his hopes
for peace, al-Shara replied, "Excuse me for smiling. The talks about peace
are a disguise for blatant aggression. Moreover, Israel's responses in light
of the aircraft's infiltration are amazing, with (Prime Minister Ehud)
Olmert saying he knows nothing about it.

"This creates the impression that Israel has a weak government, which is
unable to take courage and follow the road of peace, accepting the Arab
world's offer which was approved unanimously."

The Syrian vice president argued that Israel was to blame for the failure of
negotiations. "Those who try to cast the blame on Syria forget that we took
part in the negotiations for 10 years. We were not the ones who ended the
talks. Let history bear witness to that."

'Washington leading unprecedented arms race'

Asked whether Damascus would take part in the peace conference if were
invited, al-Shara replied, "Italy knows that only an overall solution could
succeed. The current plan is vague. There is no list of the countries
invited, and not even a date. There is an agreement that Washington will
limit the conference to a photo opportunity in order to divert the attention
from Iraq.

"And Israel is not cooperating. It's not saying whether it will accept the
UN resolutions, the principle of land for peace. As for our role, both Prime
Minister Prodi and Foreign Minister D'alema have reiterated Kissinger's
motto: 'Without Syria there is no peace.'"

"But there is also no war," the La Repubblica reported said, noting that
Syria was arming itself.

"Washington is leading an arms race in the Middle East, which is
unprecedented even compared to the Cold War era," al-Shara responded. "Some
$30 million in military aid to Israel only. This is not an encouraging sign.
The White House is favoring a military conflict over diplomacy and
international law."

Addressing his meeting with the pope, al-Shara said, "There is an agreement
on Lebanon between Syria and the Holy See that there is need for a president
who will be able to create a consensus between everyone and will be elected
according to the constitution by two-thirds of the parliament."

Italy, France and the United States have asked Syria not to interfere in
Lebanon. "They may be asking us to ease the solution, and we will do that by
encouraging the parties to reach a consensus," al-Shara said. "We are
interested in stabilizing Lebanon, as well as Iraq."

Iran recently stated that it would be willing to help Syria if asked to. Is
this alliance convenient to Damascus?

"The relations with Iran are very tight. There is no reason to fear Iran.
The realistic solution for the Iranian crisis is a Middle East free of
nuclear weapons. We suggested this to the UN four years ago and were backed
by the Arab League. And Iran agrees to this. The only one opposed to it is
Israel. A Middle East without nukes will serve peace worldwide," al-Shara
concluded.