Kouchner calls for Syria to recognize “warning letter”

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed his regret over the inability of Lebanon to elect a new President of the Republic. Kouchner added that the mediated initiatives which he undertook with representatives of various Lebanese factions and the initiative of Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa “did not fail.”

 

The French FM called on Syria to realize the repercussions of what he described as a “warning letter” sent by three of the most prominent Arab leaders who did not attend the Damascus Summit: Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah II.

 

Kouchner asked that Damascus change its positions and adopt a new policy of moderation towards its neighbors in the region if it was keen on enhancing security and stability in the Middle East. “There is no reason why dialogue in the Middle East cannot achieve peace, even with hostile organizations or organization which did not agree with France’s… visions or political attitudes and perceptions, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.”

 

In an interview with AKI after a meeting of European Union Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Slovenia, Kouchner underlined the importance of dialogue in the Middle East. “There is no doubt that dialogue remains a constructive and positive means to a peaceful settlement, even between enemies,” he said.

 

The Foreign Minister stressed his country”s support for the position taken by the EU to reach a peaceful settlement in the Middle East, primarily the Annapolis Peace Declaration and the road map prepared by a committee comprising the United Nations, United States, EU and Russia.