Syria and developments in the Middle East
On April 20, 2007 in “Noravank” foundation was held a seminar on the subject “Syria and development in the Middle East”. The main speaker of the seminar was the embassy consultant of Syrian Arabic Republic in the Republic of Armenia, Vail Derki. Both, experts of “Noravank” Foundation and specialists from other scientific and expert centers took part in the meeting.
As it is known Syria is one of the countries who landed a helping hand and gave a refugee to the Armenians who fled away from the Genocide of 1915. Although the report was devoted to Syria’s role in Middle Eastern developments, however, the Syrian diplomat also spoke about the Syrian-Armenian community. He pointed out that Armenians have been living in the territory of Syria from time immemorial and after Syria’s independence have played an important role in the country’s economic, social, military and cultural life. The Armenians living in Syria have a good name and are in sympathize both with the authorities and population. The Armenians there mainly live in Aleppo and Damascus, although there are mere Armenian villages and settlements like Aramo and Kesap. The speaker also mentioned that for him the Armenians living there are full right citizens and not the community members.
Making a short excursion through the history of Syria (Ottoman rule French mandate and the period of independence), the speaker mentioned that Syria is a country with huge cultural heritage and history which has both Arabian and Islamic identity. As an important part of Syria’s foreign policy one may mention that at the period of Cold War Syria didn’t join any alliance and was the member of Non Allying Countries Coalition. The newest period of Syria’s history began after Hafaz Al-Asadi’s coming to power (1979-2000). In this very period Syria undertook an important role as an active actor of Middle Easter conflict. Syria took part in the war against Israel for three times (1948, 1967, 1973). In 1967 Israel occupied some Arabian territories, including Golan Heights. Syria was always for peaceful, overwhelming settlement of Middle Eastern conflict. That’s why Syria was against the foreign policy steps made by Arabic Republic of Egypt which resulted the conclusion of separate peace agreement with Israel in Camp David in 1979. It was followed by the Oslo Process (in the beginning of 1990s) among national liberation organizations of Israel and Palestine and later on by the conclusion of separate peace treaty between Jordan and Israel in 1994. As a result of all mentioned one may say that Syria became the main country counteracting Israel which today is ready to negotiate with Israel and settle the conflict peacefully. At the same time Syria is for initiating peace process in the Arabic world, the bill on which was first adopted in Beirut in 2002 at the Summit of The League of Arabic States and was readopted not long ago, in March 2007, at the summit held in Riad. The bill was grounded by the regulation land for peace.
As for the Lebanese issue, Syria is for establishing stability in this country. In 1975, when the civil war burst out in Lebanon, Syria was one of the countries which, having no alternative in 1976, deployed its troops to ensure security of that country’s citizens. After the assassination of Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Rafic Al-Hariri, the relations between these two countries became tense. According to the speaker the accusations directed to Syria were without grounding as Syria couldn’t be interested in that step. As a result, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon: something which it was planning to do before the Prime Minister’s assassination. In any case Syria wants to do the same thing desired by Lebanese citizens.
The speaker also spoke about the Iraqi issue. He pointed out that Syria and Iraq were not in good relations under the rule of Sadam Husain. Syria was against Iraq’s policy implemented to Iran. In 1990 Iraq captured Kuwait, Syria joined international coalition forces in its military operations against Iraq. However, Syria is against the events developing in that country today. For about 1 million 200 thousand Iraqi refugees who found a shelter in Syria become the victims of the Iraqi crisis. Syria is against interfering in Iraq’s domestic affairs and thinks that the American troops should be withdrawn from the country. At the same time the speaker mentioned that it would be mistaken to think that the US is an adversary country to Syria. Syria hopes that the US will have a positive influence in Middle Eastern processes.
As for the Iranian nuclear program, according to Vail Derki, Iran has a right to develop atomic energy for peaceful purposes. At the same time together with other Middle Eastern countries Syria is for the region to become a zone free from weapons of mass distraction.
At the end of his speech the speaker pointed out that he believes in the future of Armenian-Syrian relations and bilateral cooperation in different fields, especially in the spheres of education, science and expert.
