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18 March 2009 Syrian President Bashar Assad
encouraged all parties who acknowledge Hezbollah's
significant role in the region to engage in dialogue
with the Resistance group.
"We need pragmatism and realism," Assad told the
Italian newspaper "La Repubblica" on Wednesday, adding
that "it is not important whether the West considers
Hezbollah a terrorist organization or a 'state within
a state.' The important thing is that Hezbollah has
weight in the region." He pointed to the recent moves
by Britain to announce publicly its desire to enter
into dialogue with what it called the group's
political wing.
Meanwhile, Assad said he is ready to act as a mediator
with Iran provided western countries come up with a
clear plan to submit to Tehran. "I am ready to serve
as a mediator with Iran," he told the daily. "If we
are talking Iranian influence on Iraq, you have to
make a distinction: the influence is not negative if
it is founded on mutual respect," he said. "It is
another thing to interfere," he added. "If however we
are talking facilitating dialogue with Iran, you have
to submit a concrete proposal to this government."
"Up until now I have only received an invitation to
play a role. I am willing to, but that is not enough:
what is lacking is a plan, precise rules and
mechanisms to submit to Tehran," he said.
Assad insisted that dialogue was essential to clear up
all disputes."Any attempt to contain a country ends up
by strengthening it," he argued. "Whether you like it
or not, Iran is an important country."
He described the early moves by US President Barack
Obama as encouraging. "With the withdrawal from Iraq,
the willingness for peace, the closure of Guantanamo,
he has shown himself to be a man of his word," he
said. "But it is still to early to say if this is a
historic turning point. The only certainty is that
after the 'night' that was the administration of
(former US president George W.) Bush, hope has
returned." Obama would have to restore the credibility
of the United States, he added. |
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