|
|
Syria: Parliamentary Debates: Wednesday 18 June 2003:
The Prime Minister, Tony Blair said the following:
The UK is committed to a policy of constructive and, where necessary, critical engagement with Syria. This allows us to support reform while maintaining a robust dialogue on issues of concern. Syria's support for terrorism is an issue that we have raised constantly. The closure of the offices of rejectionist groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad is a step in the right direction but we have to go far further. Issues to do with weapons of mass destruction are also concerning....but we believe that the best way to pursue those concerns is in dialogue with the Syrian Government, and that dialogue is of a frank and critical nature. I assure that we will continue to raise those issues with them. I have done so personally at meetings with President Bashar I have no doubt that, if we can get a peace process going in the middle east, it will be essential that Syria, and indeed other countries, cut off all support for these terrorist groups, otherwise they will derail the whole process.
We have never had a proposition put to us by the American Government for such military action, but what they have said---and we agree with it is that there are real concerns to do with WMD's and with terrorism, and it is important by the process of dialogue that I have just described, that we get both Syria and Iran to change their position on these issues. If they do not change their position on terrorism, the middle east peace process is put at risk. If they do not change their position on the WMD's, the world becomes a less safe place. We are right to pursue this frank, but critical dialogue, and we will continue to do so.
Internet News / Thoughtful Questions Message Board / Members / Links / Articles by YoungDemocrats / Documents / Resolutions / About the Author
Disclaimer: this is a site to help people. This is not an anti or pro-war site. This is a site to express your opinions. Any question or comments: email the webmaster: youngdiplomats2003@hotmail.com .
Copyright @ 2003