[Interview with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mu'allim by Talal al-Hajj in New York - live]

[Al-Hajj] First of all, I would like to convey to you our heartfelt condolences over the fall of victims in the terrorist attack that took place in Syria. These condolences are from all MBC corporation workers. Who do you think is behind this attack?

[Al-Mu'allim] Actually, I do not want to anticipate the outcome of investigation, but the question that is always asked is which side benefits from this. This is clearly a criminal terrorist act that took place in an area densely populated by civilians on the eve of Laylat al-Qadr [the night in which the Koran was revealed]. Accordingly, the civilian population was the target. Such terrorist acts have become more widespread and they take place in all countries. No city is spared from these terrorist acts. We have always condemned this terrorism and called for addressing its reasons and roots. Regrettably, years after the US war on terrorism, terrorism has become more widespread.

[Al-Hajj] But it has lately increased in Syria.

[Al-Mu'allim] No, it has not.

[Al-Hajj] Imad Mughniyah was assassinated in February and Sulayman...

[Al-Mu'allim, interrupting] Such things happen everywhere. They do not mean security has been penetrated. On this occasion, I would like to convey my warm condolences to the families of the victims of this incident wishing the wounded quick recovery. Be assured that the security forces in Syria will continue to watch over the security of citizens and the country.

[Al-Hajj] You met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last night. What took place during that meeting?

[Al-Mu'allim] The meeting was held on the sidelines of an Iftar banquet hosted by the secretary general of the International Quartet and the peace process committee. The meeting was held upon the request of Secretary Rice. The atmosphere was positive and lasted some time. We discussed regional issues and she expressed her optimism over developments in the region, especially the situation in Lebanon after the Doha Agreement and the results of [Lebanese] President Sulayman's visit to Damascus. She also expressed her hope that indirect talks between Syria and Israel will resume after the formation of the Israeli Government. She expressed the United States' willingness to participate in these talks.

[Al-Hajj, interrupting] By engaging directly in them?

[Al-Mu'allim] She did not explain. Besides, these are indirect talks. Of course, when they become direct talks, the United States' role will be required side by side with other countries. She also spoke about improvement of the security situation in Iraq and thanked Syria for what it did for brotherly Iraq. She expressed hope that Syria will make efforts to achieve national reconciliation among the Palestinians. She also asked me: What do you want to do in Darfur? The atmosphere was positive and this is the start of an upcoming dialogue.

[Al-Hajj] What about the Iranian-Syrian strategic relationship? Did the secretary of state raise this issue?

[Al-Mu'allim] She did not at all raise this issue.

[Al-Hajj] With regard to the Quartet Committee's meeting, Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa described the committee as useless and said the Arabs have not benefited from it. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal said unless the international community moves, they [Arabs] will return to the Security Council for other measures. What measures do you think can be taken?

[Al-Mu'allim] We have a proverb which says the funeral is big but the deceased is a dog. We should not expect much from such a Security Council under this US hegemony over it. The same applies to the Quartet. I think the basic element is Israel's will to make peace. They all avoid saying Israel does not have the will to make peace although the Arab side has repeatedly emphasized that it has the will to make peace.

[Al-Hajj] You then say neither the Arab League nor the Security Council is useful.

[Al-Mu'allim] Not the Arab League but the Quartet.

[Al-Hajj] Excuse me, yes the Quartet. Does it agree with you?

[Al-Mu'allim] There is no use but we hope that this committee [changes thought] its statement yesterday was good, but we want it to be more active by pointing out the side that is obstructing peace.

[Al-Hajj] With regard to the inter-Palestinian conflict, Egypt is holding talks with all Palestinian factions. It will hold talks with Hamas on 8 or 10 October and then send its recommendations to the Arab League for approval and for issuing an Arab resolution or Arab recommendations. If this happens and the Arab League makes these recommendations, will you put pressure on the factions you can pressure like Hamas in order to accept these recommendations, which will be Arab?

[Al-Mu'allim] First of all, we wish Egyptian efforts success, but we believe that the real dispute is between Fatah and Hamas. Therefore, efforts should focus on them. Second, we do not believe the Arab side should impose reconciliation on the Palestinians. Reconciliation should be reached through an independent Palestinian decision. They have charters, constitution, and several other things between them and they should place the interests of Palestine above all other considerations. The Arab side has no right to dictate things on the Palestinians.

[Al-Hajj] But this is pressure in the interest of the Palestinians themselves.

[Al-Mu'allim] They are better aware of their interests than us.

[Al-Hajj] Does this mean you do not want the recommendations to be adopted by the Arab League?

[Al-Mu'allim] I do not want to threaten any side with pressure. I only want dialogue among the Palestinians in order to reach common denominators.

[Al-Hajj] But you will use your good offices with Hamas.

[Al-Mu'allim] Yes, beyond doubt. I said we hope that the Egyptian and Arab League efforts will succeed. Syria will take part in these efforts.

[Al-Hajj] Following the Quartet's meeting yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said verbatim there is no doubt that in order to achieve a solid settlement of the Middle East conflict on all tracks, it is necessary to involve all countries that have influence on the parties to the conflict, including countries like Syria and Iran. What is your comment on this?

[Al-Mu'allim] The Iranians have their position on the peace process and Syria has its position. Our land is occupied and we want to liberate it through negotiations and a peaceful solution if possible.

[Al-Hajj] Washington asked the IAEA yesterday to expedite the issuance of its report on the so-called Syrian nuclear file. ElBaradei [IAEA director general] today said the death of Muhammad Sulayman will delay the issuance of the report. This is part of the pressure put on Syria after refusing to receive the IAEA's inspectors.

[Al-Mu'allim] First of all, there is no Syrian nuclear file. As a Syrian citizen, I wished we had a file but we do not really have a nuclear file. Second, the US side or US envoy is the last to have the right to talk about this issue. First, the United States remains silent over Israel's nuclear capability. Second, the United States was Israel's partner in the aggression against this military position as admitted by US intelligence. Third, they submitted a request to the IAEA seven months after the aggression. They know quite well that the Syrian leadership will not be taken in by their lies as happened in Iraq.

[Al-Hajj] Back to the blast, I would like to ask if you have any idea from initial investigation about the perpetrators. This is an extremely important issue.

[Al-Mu'allim] I do not want to anticipate the outcome of investigation as some do. I want investigation to reach conclusions. The blast took place early this morning and I was in New York. Therefore, I do not want to anticipate things.

[Al-Hajj] Why are you massing troops on the border with Lebanon? What are your reasons?

[Al-Mu'allim] This information is fabricated and baseless. No troops are massed on the border with Lebanon. This is a routine and there is coordination between the Syrian and Lebanese military commands in this regard. I think these are mere media reports.

[Al-Hajj] You talk about Lebanese accord although accusations of treason are levelled at some Lebanese parties. How can this happen?

[Al-Mu'allim] We do not accuse any of treason. In spite of all the unjust campaigns launched on Syria, we neither responded to them nor stooped to this level. We now say that we support all that the brothers in Lebanon agree on. We look forward to future relations whose foundations were laid by President Michel Sulayman during his visit to Syria.

[Al-Hajj] Is there Syrian mediation between France and Iran? Did you meet anyone there?

[Al-Mu'allim] Syria is not mediating but making efforts to bring views closer and bridge the gap that resulted from lack of confidence between Iran and the [word indistinct] group.

[Al-Hajj] There is talk about an anticipated meeting between Shaykh Nasrallah [secretary general of Lebanon's Hezbollah] and Sa'd al-Hariri [head of the Future parliamentary bloc]. How does Syria view this?

[Al-Mu'allim] We bless all national reconciliations in Lebanon.

[Al-Hajj] Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mu'allim, thank you very much for this interview.

[Al-Mu'allim] Thank you.

Originally published by Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in Arabic 1405 27 Sep 08.

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