Sunday, September 2, 2007 6:46 PM
http://www.newsmax.com/international/kucinich_syria/2007/09/02/29345.html
DAMASCUS, Syria -- U.S. Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, a Democratic presidential candidate, met Sunday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as part of a Middle East peace initiative and fact-finding tour to several countries over the next five days.
In the meeting with President Assad, Kucinich is expected to discuss approaches to dealing with the continued violence and instability in Iraq, as well as to discuss the Baker Hamilton report to the U.S. Congress which recommended direct engagement with Syria as part of a new Middle East foreign policy initiative.
Kucinich said, "President Assad will be pleased to know that there are many Americans who are committed to peaceful relations. I believe that Syria can play an important and constructive role in achieving peace in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. Syria has cooperated with the United States on security matters in the recent past. Only through direct engagement can we hope to achieve the level of trust and dialogue which is necessary to achieve peace." Kucinich has been campaigning across the United States and in Congress to end the war in Iraq and has drafted and introduced a comprehensive legislative plan to end the war in Iraq (House Resolution 1234.)
Referring to his own foreign policy philosophy -- "Strength through Peace" -- the Ohio Congressman and winner of the 2003 Ghandi Peace Prize, Kucinich explained, "We must have direct engagement with other nations of the world, honest diplomacy, and strict adherence to international law and treaties." He noted further, "It is what U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt called 'the science of human relations'."
Kucinich said his approach is "vastly different from the dead-end, neo-conservative 'Peace through Strength' doctrine that attempts to legitimatize unilateralism, first-strike, and preemption. I want President Assad to know that there are many in our nation and in our Congress who believe in direct diplomatic engagement."
A top Syrian official, Munir Ali, today praised Kucinich's visit in light of the recent meeting between the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and President al-Assad. "Agreements and peaceful coexistence are much more effective than occupation," he said. "Nancy Pelosi talked to people in the marketplace. This is very important. It changes people to know that someone from the U.S. government would come to Syria and talk with normal people. It builds friendship and creates a new reputation for America," Ali said.
Kucinich and his wife Elizabeth today toured the border city of Quneitra in the Golan region and spoke with local officials regarding the effects of the Israeli occupation which began in 1967. The officials took the Congressman and his wife to view the widespread destruction of Quneitra by Israel which occurred in 1973 after then-Secretary of State Henry Kissinger had negotiated a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Syria.
The Kuciniches visited the site of the "Shouting Valley" where Syrians whose families were separated through the occupation of Majdal Chams, literally shout to each other across a distance of several hundred yards in order to maintain family contact.
"The Golan region is obviously one of the issues which will come up in the discussion with President al-Assad. I felt it was important to see for ourselves to better understand the contours of the issue. As a Congressman and as a Presidential candidate, I have an obligation to see for myself," Kucinich said.
Kucinich and his wife are also visiting Jaramanh where many of the 1.5 million Iraqi refugees in Syria have settled. The Congressman, who has been very active in discussing the plight of the war-torn Iraqi people, expects to take up with President Assad matters relating to refugees from Iraq.
"We are working to build a new reputation for America in the region," said Kucinich. "We want people to love America again. We want people to know that many Americans want peace and justice. Many Americans are hoping for a new role for America in the world, strength through peace. It is in that spirit that I will meet with President Assad."
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Kucinich Meets President Assad in Syria to Discuss Iraq Peace Plan
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,169780.shtml
Posted : Mon, 03 Sep 2007 03:28:33 GMT
Author : Kucinich for President 2008
Category : PressRelease
DAMASCUS, Syria, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a meeting today with Dennis Kucinich, US Democratic Presidential candidate, Syrian President Bashar Assad said that Syria would be willing to participate in a multinational conference and peacekeeping force to help Iraq to manage its transition from occupied country to sovereign nation.
Assad made these assurances and other observations in a two-hour meeting with Kucinich, who traveled to Syria to discuss a peace initiative which has arisen out of his anti-war work in the House of Representatives. President Assad agreed with Kucinich that various US demands for the privatization of Iraq's oil and partition of Iraq would mean a continuation of war.
"We must stand for strength through peace, for a sovereign and unified Iraq. President Assad is willing for Syria to play a significant role in assisting in the stabilization of Iraq," said Kucinich. "President Assad knows that an international peace keeping and security force must be organized and ready to deploy in order to facilitate the end of the occupation. He understands that the US cannot leave a vacuum in Iraq, but that at the present time the US occupation is fueling the insurgency. He is recommending a parallel political process involving an Iraqi national conference, the disarming of militias, and the building up of an Iraqi army which would eventually takeover from international peace keepers."
Kucinich said the fact that Syria, a nation of just 20 million people, has both welcomed and is providing free health care and education to the million and a half Iraqi refugees is evidence of Syria's vital role in the region. "The international community must recognize and appreciate that Syria has at its own great cost provided a lifeboat to millions who suffer from the humanitarian crisis which the war in Iraq has created."
Late last night Kucinich and his wife Elizabeth visited a neighborhood of Damascus which was teeming with Iraqi refugees. "People are desperate. They have lost loved ones in the war. They have nothing but the clothes on their back, but they have their lives, thanks to President Assad's willingness to open Syria to the Iraqi refugees. This is a profound humanitarian gesture, since it has significantly increased the population of Syria. Now we must help Syria provide for these refugees," Kucinich said.
Kucinich told President Assad that he will take up the refugee matter with the UN Secretary General and the US Congress.
Kucinich and Assad discussed a wide range of other matters including building relations between Syria and the United States, the role of the European community in negotiations between Syria and Israel, hopes for a national unity government in Lebanon, conditions affecting Pakistan and Assad's desire for a peace agreement with Israel hinging on resolution of matters relating to Golan.
After the meeting Mrs. Kucinich met with British born Mrs. Assad to discuss their mutual interests and work in community economic development, education and the welfare of refugees.
Kucinich and his wife Elizabeth visited the ancient holy site of Notre Dame de Saydanaya, where today fully veiled Muslim women worship together with Christians. "This is the one of the few places in the world that I have witnessed such profound coexistence, and harmony," Mrs. Kucinich said. "In this time of religious strife it is important to bear witness to places which show the way of peace."
This evening Kucinich spoke to over 150 academicians, journalists and politicians in Damascus where he presented his new security doctrine. "Strength through Peace turns the neoconservative doctrine of Peace through Strength on its head. The neo-cons' Peace through Strength, has led to unilateralism, military build up and illegal war." Kucinich told the packed audience, "Strength through Peace favors the upholding of international law, treaties and direct engagement, which is why I am here" Kucinich added.
"I believe that through direct communication there is new hope for peace," he said.
"The world is ready to fall in love with America again. It is important that America reaches out to show our true values, our compassion and our willingness to work for peace."
The trip is continuing with a visit to Lebanon.
Kucinich for President 2008
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President Al-Assad Reviews Regional Developments with US Senator Kucinich
Sunday, September 02, 2007 - 02:55 PM
http://www.sana.org/eng/142/2007/09/02/137124.htm
Damascus, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad met on Sunday Democratic Senator Dennis Kucinich and reviewed with him the current situation in Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon and the latest regional and international developments.
Opinions were exchanged regarding American-Syrian relations, the possibility of pushing the peace process forward and maintaining security and stability in these sensitive circumstances.
Senator Kucinich pointed out to Syria's pivotal role in bolstering security and stability in the region.
President al-Assad affirmed Syria's stances in support of the political process in Iraq as the only way to resolve the crisis. He also affirmed Syria's support for whatever the Lebanese parties agree upon and its support for a just, comprehensive and permanent solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict, which would end all the region's problems.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and the delegation accompanying Senator Kucinich.
H. Sabbagh, Ghossoun
Labels: Peace, Strength Through Peace, Syria, Iraq, Peaceful Coexistence, Peaceful Relations, Honest Relations
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