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Steinmeier Calls on Syria to Play Constructive Role in Middle East
Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called upon Syria to play a constructive role in solving the problems in the Middle East. Following talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem in Berlin on January 17, Steinmeier emphasized that Syria must use its influence in Lebanon to resolve the constitutional crisis there. Moualem affirmed that security and stability in the region were a priority for his country. Steinmeier stressed the opportunities Syria has at its disposal to help defuse the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. He said it should use "any influence it may have on the Hamas leadership in exile" in Damascus to do what it can to remove obstacles to the difficult peace process. "May I express the hope that it will also do so in the future." Decisive phase after Annapolis The Annapolis conference does not, in itself, represent a breakthrough for peace. Rather, according to Steinmeier, there is now a chance to work towards a successful solution in the Middle East over the course of the year. He said that Israelis and Palestinians were united in their ambitious goal to reach a peace settlement by the end of 2008. If they are to achieve this, the conflicting parties will need the support of the states in the region as well as courage and perseverance. For the situation in the Middle East is complex, and the various strands of conflict are closely intertwined. The two conferences last year in Annapolis (November 27) and Paris (December 17) have given momentum to the Middle East peace process. Israelis and Palestinians agreed to engage in regular negotiations, and both sides committed themselves to a series of obligations. No relapse into the spiral of violence However, success is not guaranteed. As Steinmeier pointed out, "Annapolis will not automatically lead to peace." He emphasized the need for compromise, even when such compromise was painful for the participants, and stressed the importance of involving all key players, among whom he also counted Syria. He stressed that Syria, too, would only be able to further its own interests if it worked actively to ensure the success of the Middle East peace process. In this context he commended Syria's presence at the Annapolis conference and expressed his hope that this would not be the last step Syria would take. Ending the Lebanon crisis Syria also has a major role to play in resolving the political crisis in Lebanon. "Syria needs to use its influence in Lebanon to make such solutions possible." The Arab League is currently trying to mediate in Lebanon on the basis of a three-stage plan adopted on January 6. Steinmeier urged Syria, too, to do its part in stabilizing Lebanon to allow the free, independent and democratic election of a new President. Refugees a burden on Syria Syria is currently accommodating 1.5 million Iraqi and around 500,000 Palestinian refugees. In addition, according to Foreign Minister Moualem, the war in summer 2006 caused around 250,000 people to flee from Lebanon to Syria. He stressed that this fact alone was reason enough for his country to have a strong interest in peace for the region. He added that in principle Syria was, under certain conditions, prepared to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon. However, he stated that this would depend on the prior resolution of the constitutional crisis, agreement on a compromise presidential candidate and formation of a government of national unity. January 23, 2008 |
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