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Syrian Continues to make conflicting overtures to everyone
excerpted from Mondayâs State Department Daily Press Briefing.QUESTION: The Vice President of Syria, Mr. Abd Halim Khaddam, he, while he was receiving yesterday the plans of the Iraqi tribes, he told them that Syriaâs doors are widely open from the time that the new government takes place, that Syria would give all the cooperation and would open its doors for anything that would enhance Iraqi well-being and future. Thatâs on one hand. On the other hand, also, if I can move, I need your comment on that and -- MR. ERELI: I donât have any comment on it. QUESTION: Okay. Concerning Mr. Mohammed ElBaradei, he said that Syria has informed him that it is welcoming him and his experts to go into Syria any time, anywhere they want. And also, he said that he is planning to go to Israel in order to try and obtain the Israeli cooperation to also inspect to try to see if he can get to convince the Israelis to inspect their nuclear programs in there. Is that step from Mr. ElBaradei, has it been talked about here, when he visited with Secretary Powell? And is the U.S. Administration trying to encourage Israel to cooperate with Mr. ElBaradei in this respect? MR. ERELI: That subject was not discussed. I have not seen the Director Generalâs remarks, so I really couldnât comment on them. It is -- our position on Syriaâs weapons programs, I think, is familiar to you, and I really donât have anything new to add to that. QUESTION: Well, actually, a follow up on that. There were some reports over the weekend that Syria was a client of Mr. Khan and the whole Pakistan nuclear ring. Do you have anything on that? MR. ERELI: I donât. Posted by: Super Hose 2004-06-29 |
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