Syrian Dep Minister of Foreign Affairs

Syrian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Fattah Ammourah, spoke with several American students at a meeting on Sunday afternoon.

The meeting began with Ammourah providing some background information about Syrian history.

As we began discussing the Iraq war it became evident, as was expected, that Ammourah felt very strongly about the U.S.’s decision to invade Iraq.

Syrians told the West that Sadaam was dangerous long ago, but they did not listen. Ammourah said that when the Iraq war began Syria said that it was unjust, and illegal. He claims that they knew a military use of force could not solve the Iraq problem. He feels the solution must be political.

The withdrawal of U.S. troops is critical to stabilize the area because it will give the Iraqis hope that they can protect themselves. He feels that the militias must be disarmed and the National military must be properly trained.

Ammourah said that Syria would be willing to help train the Iraqi soldiers and assist in a National reconciliation.

There are over 1.5 million Iraqi refugees living in Syria. No one is helping to take care of these people, especially not the wealthy country that they came from.

Ammourah said the Syrian government is waiting to see what Obama will do in order to help with peace between Israel and Palestine. Syria talks to Israel through the Turks, but says that the peace must be based on national dialogue.

“We will never compromise land for peace.” He feels that no Syrians will accept any form of peace offering while the land they believe belongs to them is still occupied.

Ammourah said Syria attaches great importance to America as a broker of peace between the regions. He feels that it is within everyone’s best interest for this to be achieved.

He believes that there is no chance for peace with Israel due to their extreme government. Israel had refused the Arab peace initiative. Instead Israel invaded Palestine using internationally banned weapons.

As the Bush era has come to a close, Ammourah said that there is a hope for change. He believes the dialogue between the regions will bring an end to the Bush principles of isolation. He believes that Iran should be viewed as a geopolitical force that can help broker stability in the region.

According to Ammmourah, Syrians believe in peace. “Killing is not the way.” It will be an open dialogue that will lead to political solution. With the hopes attached to Obama, he explains that there is no reason for people to hate Americans.

“We are all creatures of God. There is only one civilization, the human civilization.”

Syrians believe in a distance between citizenship and religion, but we can all live together. “We suffered before you (Americans) suffered, because of extreme terrorism.”

We are now looking to the younger generation with feelings of hope. The mass media can be used to assimilate love and friendship.

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