16 December 2002
Despite our fundamental differences on many issues, no one can dispute that Syria is an important and influential country. It is a power in the Middle East, a leader of Arab opinion, central to any comprehensive peace deal with Israel and a member of the United Nations Security Council. It’s also a country which, under President Bashar Al-Asad, is beginning to reform its economy, open up its society and play a fuller role in the international community. Syria is changing. I want to ensure that Britain does what it can to help.
This is why I think it was right to invite President Al-Asad to Downing Street today. It does not mean, of course, that there won’t be frank exchanges. As our last meeting in Damascus underlined, there are important differences of outlook and ambition between us.
We disagree, for example, on the terrorist groups still based in Syria. I believe you can’t be anything other than 100% against terror and will say so today. I will emphasise our real concerns about Syria’s trade links with Iraq. And, while I welcome the progress on human rights in Syria, President Al-Asad knows that I believe there should be further moves towards political freedom.
But I strongly believe that candid dialogue is much more productive than no dialogue at all. I make no apologies at all for this approach. It would be a strange foreign policy if we talked only to those with whom we were in total agreement.
Our last meeting also demonstrated the determination of both of us to keep talking to narrow our differences. I believe, too, the success of such dialogue can be seen in a number of ways, not least, possibly, in Syria’s decision to vote with all other members of the Security Council to demand that Iraq eliminate its weapons of mass destruction.
Many experts believed that the Syrians would never vote for SCR 1441. But they did. They have a long border with Iraq and more reason than most to be wary of Saddam Hussein. They joined the Allied coalition to liberate Kuwait. They have remained supportive of the international community’s efforts to ensure Iraq dismantle its weapons of mass destruction programmes.
That doesn’t mean that we are in agreement over what happens in the future. There will be hard talking today on both sides. But we both support the UN route. The weapons inspectors are at work. Because of Saddam Hussein’s record of lies, concealment and aggression, we must be sceptical that he will willingly give up his WMD, let alone that he already has.
We must also continue our military preparations because Saddam Hussein must realise we are serious. Sometimes the only way of avoiding war is to be clear that you are prepared to use force if necessary. Iraq has only moved this far because diplomacy has been backed with a realistic threat of force. Military conflict in Iraq is not inevitable. What is inevitable is that Iraq will no longer be allowed to continue threatening its neighbours and defying the UN.
There will be hard talking, too, today on the Middle East Peace Process.
Britain cannot accept there can be any justification for the appalling acts of terrorism against innocent Israeli citizens. Such terrorism simply provokes hatred rather than facilitating the negotiations we need. We know, too, the Palestinians are suffering deeply.
But this is another area where we have some common ground. Britain is absolutely committed to the MEPP, based on security for Israel and a viable Palestinian state, and recognises that no lasting and fair peace is possible without the full involvement of Syria. President Al-Asad has made clear, in turn, his commitment to a peaceful resolution of his country’s dispute with Israel as part of a comprehensive peace settlement.
I recognise that failure to make progress on the peace process is a reason for anger and frustration in the Arab world as is the economic and social plight of many in the region. I want Britain to help tackle these long-standing problems.
We must also work to help the continued evolution of Syria. It was clear from President Al-Asad’s inaugural speech that he was determined to bring about real change in Syria and there are encouraging signs.
We welcome the recent release and amnesties for hundreds of political prisoners. A start has been made on easing controls over the press. Steps have been taken to promote the rights of women. Non-government organisations are beginning to take over new roles. There is new legislation to enable foreign banks to operate and moves to reform and modernise public administration.
The UK is already playing its part in encouraging such changes. The main author of Syria’s IT strategy is a British consultant. We are giving advice on economic reform. The British Council is supporting the expansion of Syria’s universities. Scholarships are being provided for Syrian students to take post-graduate courses here so they have the expertise needed to help in the liberalising of their country.
President Al-Asad has strong links with Britain. He has lived and studied in this country. His wife was born and bred here. Britain matters to him and Syria matters to us. That is why I believe that, despite the real disagreements between us, it is better to discuss them rather than retreat into entrenched positions and stay there.
delicious
digg
facebook
