President Assad: <\/strong>\u00a0There are companies from various Arab states and not the states themselves – which have expressed a desire to take part.\u00a0 If we take into account the extreme pressure applied by the West through sanctions on any company that might invest in Syria, we recognize that the process will be slow and risky for many of them. \u00a0\u00a0Nevertheless, there are those that are preparing to invest in Syria in ways which circumvent the sanctions.<\/p>\nIf we want to talk about reconstruction in its broad sense, I cannot say that the current political, economic or security situation allows for large scale reconstruction. \u00a0Nevertheless, a process of reconstruction has started albeit a limited one.\u00a0 This is partly through investors, companies or individuals who are rebuilding their facilities and infrastructure, and partly through the state\u2019s effort in rebuilding the arteries that constitute the core of economic life in some of the big cities.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Question 16<\/span>: \u00a0<\/strong>I would like to stop a little with your visit to Abu Dhabi and Syria\u2019s return through this large gate, as it was described. \u00a0How do you yourself see it?<\/p>\nPresident Assad:<\/strong> \u00a0I don\u2019t know how a large gate is defined and what the word return means, because we never left. \u00a0Syria has remained in its place, with the same positions and the same conditions, dealing with them in its own way and according to its principles and perspectives. \u00a0However, I would like to say that in their essence, Syrian-Arab relations have not changed much during the war; most Arab states have maintained their relations with us and stood with us.<\/p>\nIntervention: <\/strong>Even those that withdrew their diplomatic missions?<\/p>\nPresident Assad: \u00a0<\/strong>Yes, even those that withdrew their diplomatic missions maintained the relationship and kept positive feelings towards Syria despite not being able to do anything. \u00a0Their position is the same, with some formal changes happening to this relationship as a result of the change in circumstances whether regional, global or any other, but I cannot speak on their behalf.\u00a0 However, I do not believe there is a great change in substance, the big change that is happening is in terms of form.<\/p>\nQuestion 17<\/span>: <\/strong>Let\u2019s ask honestly: does Damascus have any grudge against the countries which abandoned her during its crisis?<\/p>\nPresident Assad:<\/strong> \u00a0First of all, to grudge is proof of weakness. Secondly, begrudging doesn\u2019t lead anywhere, and does not create any positive results especially in relations with countries. \u00a0Thirdly, we have to distinguish between policy errors made by states and the people in these states. \u00a0We seek Arab-Arab relations, which means relations between people; and in this case, there are no grudges. Fourthly, we know that Arab countries have their own circumstances. We are able to say no on many issues, perhaps, many Arab countries are unable to do the same.<\/p>\nThis is not a justification but it is fait accompli<\/em>, and we have to deal with it. \u00a0Blaming and complaining does not achieve results. \u00a0That\u2019s why we should look to the future and this is what we say in all of our discussions.\u00a0 We look to the future, what happened in the past is in the past.\u00a0 Blaming does not change anything: the destruction has happened, the losses have been incurred and the blood has been spilled; so let\u2019s talk positively. This is the Syrian approach.<\/p>\nQuestion 18<\/span>: \u00a0<\/strong>In the near future, the Arab summit will be hosted by Algeria. \u00a0Many people are talking about you attending the summit. \u00a0Are there any steps in this regard?<\/p>\nPresident Assad:<\/strong> \u00a0Perhaps the only weight this summit has is the fact that it is held in Algeria. \u00a0This is a fact, I am not being diplomatic here.\u00a0 Syria\u2019s relations with Algeria, under all circumstances and since its independence from France in the early 1970s have been consistent.\u00a0 There is something solid between the two peoples, maybe because the history is similar despite the different periods.<\/p>\nBut if we address the Arab league, regardless of the Algeria summit, the question is not Syria\u2019s return or non-return \u2013 and the word return is wrong because Syria is still in the Arab League. \u00a0Its membership was suspended, Syria did not leave.<\/p>\n
The issue is: what will the Arab League do in the future, regardless of whether Syria is in the league or not.\u00a0 Will it achieve any of the aspirations of the Arab citizens? \u00a0I do not believe that it has achieved anything throughout the past three decades; and certainly during the last ten years, it was a cover for the aggression against Libya, against Syria and every other aggression. \u00a0So, the question is: will it be able to change this policy or not? If the Arab League continues with this approach, nothing will change.\u00a0 In the end, Arab states are subjected to external pressure on all areas.\u00a0 As long as this is the case, the result will be the same and it is negative.\u00a0 Therefore, Syria\u2019s return or the termination of the suspension is something formal. \u00a0It might have some benefits, but we don\u2019t count on them.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Question 19<\/span>: <\/strong>Through the steps taken recently, including your visit to Abu Dhabi, and the positive talk or the positive tone of the media discourse in many Arab capitals, is this going to add up in Algeria and afterwards through this entrance to terminate the suspension as you said?<\/p>\nPresident Assad:<\/strong> \u00a0I will be happy to visit any Arab country. \u00a0This is for sure, but it cannot happen without an invitation. \u00a0It is normal and intuitive to think of visiting Arab countries, because despite the utterly poor state of the Arab world, we have to limit the damage and avoid more decline. \u00a0Dialogue with Arab countries and Arab officials is essential.<\/p>\nQuestion 20<\/span>: \u00a0<\/strong>Here we might point out something very important. \u00a0Many people say that any return to normal relations with the Arab states go through the relationship with Iran, and it will not be perfect as long as the close relations between Damascus and Tehran continue. \u00a0How can Syria balance its relations with Iran, on the one hand, and let me say Saudi Arabia, if the relations returned, on the other?<\/p>\nPresident Assad:<\/strong> \u00a0First, Syria\u2019s relations with any country are not subject to discussion with anyone. \u00a0No one decides for Syria with whom it can and cannot have relations.\u00a0 No one decides for us, neither do we decide for anyone else. \u00a0No one interferes in our decisions neither do we interfere in anyone else\u2019s. \u00a0This issue is not subject for discussion and is not even on the table. \u00a0Even if it was raised with us, we would reject it right away.<\/p>\nThis is first. \u00a0Secondly, many countries that used to raise this issue in the past, have not done so for years, because they themselves are engaged with Iran, and this is a contradiction. \u00a0Thirdly, Iran is an important country. \u00a0If we want to talk about stability in the Middle East, we need relations with all these countries. \u00a0But, if we want to talk about balance between relations, the principle is wrong.<\/p>\n
Intervention: <\/strong>Particularly that Damascus has achieve it for many years.<\/p>\nPresident Assad:<\/strong> \u00a0Exactly, but not based on the idea of balance, because balance implies that there are contradictory parties that we need to balance between. \u00a0We do not view things in this way. \u00a0We believe that all these countries have common interests. \u00a0And as such, the process does not need balance in relations, but rather openness and good relations. \u00a0Currently, there is dialogue between the Gulf states and Iran, and we view this positively, independent of our relations with these gulf countries.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Question 21<\/span>: <\/strong>Might we see mediation after restoring normalcy to the relations between Riyadh and Tehran?<\/p>\nPresident Assad:<\/strong> \u00a0Of course, the basic logic implies that if there is a disagreement between parties that you have good relations with, it is only normal for you to play the role of mediator to help bridge the differences; this serves the individual and collective interests of all countries in the region.\u00a0 Currently, we do not have these normal relations with all parties and so we are unable to play this role at the moment.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Question 22<\/span>: \u00a0<\/strong>There have been normal relations, or normalization, on the part of a number of Arab capitals with Israel. \u00a0How do you follow the normalization in relations between these countries and Israel. \u00a0And there have been rumors that haven\u2019t excluded Syria to the effect that Damascus will normalize on the condition of restoring the Occupied Golan. Could this happen? \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nPresident Assad:<\/strong> \u00a0First, the term is wrong. \u00a0In Syria, we have rejected the term of normalization since the beginning of the peace process in the 90s, because normalization, as a linguistic term implies a normal relationship. \u00a0And a normal relationship should move smoothly like water, without obstacles; it cannot be coerced or artificial. \u00a0The term normalization, however, is artificial in that it aims at pushing the Arabs towards making \u00a0concessions to Israel in return for nothing; this is the objective.<\/p>\nFor us in Syria, the term is normal relations and this is linked to a peace process, which is linked to the return of rights; this is definitive. \u00a0On the other hand, we are against a relationship with Israel, regardless of whether we refer to it as normalization or anything else.\u00a0 This has been the case from the onset, since this process started with Egypt in the mid-1970s and today our position remains the same.<\/p>\n
We do not agree with any such process and we believe that all of these processes have damaged our Syrian cause, let alone the Palestinian one. \u00a0However, the biggest flaw in this topic is the OSLO agreement, which granted all these benefits to Israel by the owner (Palestine) of this cause, and consequently providing a justification for any country in the world to normalize relations or make peace with Israel – call it what you like it doesn\u2019t matter, because the owner of the cause has abandoned it. \u00a0So, we are against normalization because it affects us.<\/p>\n
Syria will never change its position as long as there is occupied land, which is the Golan. \u00a0When the Golan is restored we can talk. \u00a0And this does not come in the framework of normalization but rather in terms of having normal relations between any two states. \u00a0Normal relations do not mean warm or cold relations, normal relations mean what people want them to mean in the way that they determine.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Question 23<\/span>: \u00a0<\/strong>Nevertheless, while we are talking, Israeli shelling continues on more targets, the last of which was in the surroundings of Damascus airport. \u00a0We would like to hear your comment on that.<\/p>\nPresident Assad: \u00a0<\/strong>This is a different issue, although it ultimately leads to the same subject which is pushing Syria towards making concessions. \u00a0The Israeli interference at the beginning was linked directly to when the terrorists collapsed in Syria, because the terrorist for us is the Israeli army, albeit with a Syrian or other identity. \u00a0So, when the terrorists began to retreat and their morale collapsed, the Israeli intervention was necessary to raise their morale and to re-mobilize them. What Israel is doing now comes within this framework and nothing else.<\/p>\nQuestion 24<\/span>: \u00a0<\/strong>The last question with which I would like to conclude with your Excellency is the image that the West projects about President Bashar al-Assad. \u00a0They say that the president stands against his people and against regional and international powers. \u00a0Today, after about a year of your being elected by the Syrian people and the positive tone, as I said, of many Arab and Western capitals, or let me say international capitals, has the image changed?<\/p>\nPresident Assad: \u00a0<\/strong>In terms of the general public, yes it has changed.\u00a0 Not because we have been able to address the West using a different language or because of different media capabilities, but rather because the big lie that Western officials used in the beginning, and the unlimited exaggerations, put them in a difficult position. \u00a0They climbed too far up the tree and didn\u2019t know how to come down.<\/p>\nIf we follow the official channels of major media outlets in the West that continue to spread these lies and that have close political affiliations, we notice that many of the comments written by their own citizens show that they no longer believe this narrative.<\/p>\n
If we want to address the supposed revolution, what is this revolution that has continued for eleven years, with the support from the strongest and richest countries in the world? A revolution that supposedly represents the wish of the people against the state, yet the state has not fallen?\u00a0 Does this state consist of supermen? This lie is not convincing. No revolution continues for this length of time.\u00a0 This is in addition to many other lies, that their citizens have uncovered with the passing of time.<\/p>\n
So, yes, I can say that the picture has changed, but no, this does not mean that people living in the West know what is going on; they know that there is a big lie, but they do not necessarily know the big truth in our region.<\/p>\n
Intervention: <\/strong>Waiting to know the big truth.<\/p>\nPresident Assad:<\/strong> No doubt about that.<\/p>\nJournalist: <\/strong>Thank you very much, Mr. President, for this interview, particularly that RT is going through difficult times and is being subjected to many harassments. \u00a0Thank you very much for receiving us.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\nPresident Assad: \u00a0<\/strong>Thank you for visiting Syria. \u00a0I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Russian people on their national day which will be celebrated in a few days\u2019, on the 12th<\/sup> of this month.<\/p>\nYou mentioned the sanctions against RT. \u00a0You are part of this battle and one of its weapons. We are involved in a similar battle, albeit under different headlines.\u00a0 Today, the weapon is no longer only associated with a gun or a missile, it is also associated with the truth.\u00a0 The biggest victim during the past decade on all the issues presented was the truth.\u00a0 So, I hope that this interview is one block in a bigger structure \u2013 the structure of truth, which will take many years to build.<\/p>\n
Journalist: <\/strong>We thank you very much, Your Excellency, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria.<\/p>\nAnd thanks to our viewers. Goodbye<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Damascus, SANA- President Bashar al-Assad said that Russia is facing a war that cannot be linked to the issue of NATO expansion, but rather it is an ongoing war that did not stop even before communism or before World War I, affirming that Russia\u2019s power today constitutes a restoration of an international equilibrium. \u00a0\u201cSo, we …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":274143,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[115,1,23,429,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-274142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-local","category-news-not-sorted","category-news-bar","category-presidency-of-arabic-syrian-republic","category-slide"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274142"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=274142"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274142\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/274143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=274142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=274142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.sana.sy\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=274142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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