Russia Calls On U.S. to Withdraw Forces From Persian Gulf
February 28, 1998 - 0:0
DAMASCUS Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Thursday welcomed Russia's contribution to solving the Middle East conflict in line with UN resolutions, SANA news agency reported. After meeting the speaker of the Russian Duma, or Lower House of Parliament, Gennady Seleznyov, Assad said he was happy to see that Russia was again ready to play its part in settling the problems in the region, on the basis of international law.
SANA said Seleznyov was convinced that Assad would be successful in overcoming obstacles on the road to peace, thanks to his wisdom and experience. After meeting Assad, Seleznyov called on Washington to withdraw its forces from the Persian Gulf. The American forces no longer have any reason to stay in the region, he told a press conference, as he wrapped up his visit here.
Their intensive presence could hinder the peace process and the United States should withdraw them, he said. Seleznyov added that Russia and Syria want to see the application of UN resolutions concerning settlement of the Israeli-Arab conflict. He also said that Syria wants to develop its relations with Russia and that Moscow is preparing for a more active role in the Middle East. We are returning there as a country guaranteeing the peace and to (assure) our economic interests, but we do not want to impose our conditions on the countries of the region, he said.
Seleznyov also said that the Syrian president wished for the success of Russia in the economic field so that it can challenge the United States, which is a superpower that imposes hegemony on the world. The Russian Duma speaker held talks with Assad in a meeting also attended by the president of the Syrian Parliament, Abdel-Kader Kaddura, and Russia's ambassador to Syria, Viktor Gogitidze, according to presidential spokesman Gebran Kourieh. Before the meeting, Seleznyov held talks with Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam to discuss the international situation, the Middle East peace process, and Syrian-Russian relations, Syrian radio said.
(AFP)
SANA said Seleznyov was convinced that Assad would be successful in overcoming obstacles on the road to peace, thanks to his wisdom and experience. After meeting Assad, Seleznyov called on Washington to withdraw its forces from the Persian Gulf. The American forces no longer have any reason to stay in the region, he told a press conference, as he wrapped up his visit here.
Their intensive presence could hinder the peace process and the United States should withdraw them, he said. Seleznyov added that Russia and Syria want to see the application of UN resolutions concerning settlement of the Israeli-Arab conflict. He also said that Syria wants to develop its relations with Russia and that Moscow is preparing for a more active role in the Middle East. We are returning there as a country guaranteeing the peace and to (assure) our economic interests, but we do not want to impose our conditions on the countries of the region, he said.
Seleznyov also said that the Syrian president wished for the success of Russia in the economic field so that it can challenge the United States, which is a superpower that imposes hegemony on the world. The Russian Duma speaker held talks with Assad in a meeting also attended by the president of the Syrian Parliament, Abdel-Kader Kaddura, and Russia's ambassador to Syria, Viktor Gogitidze, according to presidential spokesman Gebran Kourieh. Before the meeting, Seleznyov held talks with Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam to discuss the international situation, the Middle East peace process, and Syrian-Russian relations, Syrian radio said.
(AFP)