Imad Moustapha, the Syrian ambassador to the United States,
spoke Thursday of Syrian relations with the United States in
regards to the situation in the Middle East.
Moustapha expressed concern for the poor relations between the
United States and Syria at present.
“Relations are difficult between the U.S. and Syria. This
was not the case in the past, but it is now in the present,”
Moustapha said.
During his short speech, Moustapha touched upon many topics but
focused on what he believes to be the two most important problems
facing Syria today: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in
Iraq.
Regarding the war in Iraq, Moustapha said that Syria has been
opposed to the war since its beginning.
“We believe that this war will create more problems than
it would solve. We do not need another war in our region,”
Moustapha said.
Moustapha said that Syrian opinion on the war in Iraq is
“readily dismissed by the United States, because they do not
fully understand the issues.”
Referring to Hussein’s crimes against humanity, Moustapha
still thinks U.S. occupation of Iraq is a bad idea because the
United States is unaware of the repercussions that could arise from
its occupation.
“Invading Iraq is the equivalent of opening a
Pandora’s box. You don’t know what kinds of evil you
will release,” Moustapha said.
Moustapha said Syria’s main concern regarding the
situation in Iraq was the possibility of a civil war in Iraq if the
violence continues, but he emphasized that the Syrian government
was upset about accusations that it has been protecting Hussein
loyalists within its borders.
“It’s against any logic to provoke the U.S. by
allowing infiltrators across our borders. It’s against our
national interests,” Moustapha said.
Arab-Israeli relations were also discussed during his address,
specifically peace talks between Israel and Syria regarding the
occupation of Golan.
“Our view has always been land for peace. … However, I
don’t believe that (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon is
willing to engage in a peace process with Syria,” Moustapha
said.
Moustapha also briefly mentioned the conflict in Lebanon, which
he stated is now “an issue of the past.”
Syria sent troops into Lebanon in the 1970s and occupied the
country until recently.
Moustapha said he believes Syria entered Lebanon “for the
noblest cause,” to interfere with the civil unrest that
plagued the Lebanese nation for 15 years.
He said Syria had made one huge mistake executing that move.
“We made one major mistake: We overstayed our original
welcome. We should have pulled out three or four years ago,”
Moustapha said.
Syria has pulled out all its armed forces from Lebanon.
He believes from now on “relations between Lebanon and
Syria will only improve.”
In response to what Moustapha had to say about Syrian relations
with Israel, some said that Syria provided a threat rather than a
promise for peace.
“It almost sounded like a threat to Israel ““ give us
the land or you won’t receive peace,” said Edward
Brown, a fourth-year Spanish and linguistics student.
Others said that through the ideas he offered, Moustapha
appeared to be a peaceful man.
“In his heart, he has the goal of peace. For anybody in
any position, that is an important thing to have,” said
Hannah Kim, a fourth-year English and linguistics student.
The talk was hosted by the Center for International Relations
and the Center for Near Eastern Studies.