Israel Matzav

Syrian warmongering

In an interview with the Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram al-Arabi, Syrian information minister Mohsen Bilal is threatening war:

Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal said that his country is losing patience in the matter of the Golan Heights, and that the Syrians would not wait much longer before they act.

"Syria has made a strategic choice for peace, but it will not wait much longer before it recaptures the Golan Heights," Bilal told Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram al-Arabi.

"The Syrian people have waited 40 years for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions, but to no avail, and
they are losing their patience," he stated.

"Syria chose peace as a strategic option, especially after former president Hafez Assad received a letter from President George Bush that included the principle of peace in exchange for territories, a letter that has become known as 'the Madrid principle.'," he explained. "It's been 16 years and still we have reached no results," he added.

...

In the course of the interview, Bilal was asked whether he believes that "in wake of the Israeli war machine's defeat to Hizbullah, Israel is plotting to hurt Syria in a bid to compensate for its loss."

Bilal replied: "Common sense, logic, and the international law – or what is left of them – say that this won't happen. But madness and stupidity can lead to this. I hope that common sense and logic prevail. This is our hope. If not – the chaos that will erupt will harm everyone."

"in any case, if we are attacked – we will know how to defend ourselves and how to safeguard our land, our will, our values and our dignity," he concluded.

Six years ago, then-Syrian President Hafez al-Assad declined an offer from Ehud Barak to exchange nearly all of the Golan Heights for 'peace' with the Syrian dictatorship. Assad's son Bashar is not likely to get as good an offer anytime soon.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:55 PM