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Syria condemns US arms deals
31/07/2007 18:02 - (SA)
Damascus - Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem condemned the multi-billion-dollar US arms packages for Washington's Arab allies and Israel on Tuesday as "dangerous".
"We are before an international conference (proposed) by President Bush. He who wants to make peace does not start out with an arms initiative which is dangerous for the region," Muallem said in reference to the US administration.
"He who wishes to see a level playing field cannot be partial to one party and isolate another. He has to win the confidence of all the parties concerned," the minister added.
Muallem's comments came as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates kicked off a regional tour in Egypt seeking to unite Arab allies.
Their visit was preceded by announcements of military packages for key Arab allies and Israel. The pacts are worth $20bn for Saudi Arabia, $13bn for Egypt and $30bn for Israel.
Muallem said the move to boost Israeli defence aid by 25 % "shows that the United States continues to seek to apply its policy of constructive chaos" in the Middle East.
'Guarantees of success'
US President George W Bush proposed on July 16 holding an international conference on the Middle East peace process, which is expected to be held in September.
Muallem said that this proposal needed "clear objectives" and "guarantees of success".
"Syria, for her part, wants security and stability in the region," he said.
"We will support any serious effort for peace and stability, but we will resist every effort to liquidate the Palestinian cause," he added following talks with visiting Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.
- AFP
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