Syrian radio statement on Powell visit

Here follows the text of a statement broadcast on Sunday by Syrian state radio concerning talks in Damascus between US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad:

President Bashar al-Assad held constructive, frank and positive talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell. The talks dealt with various issues of common interest, particularly the situation in Iraq, the peace process and bilateral relations.

During the talks, the two sides agreed to continue contacts and coordinate efforts in a manner that achieves the interest of both countries and serves regional security and stability.

As Mr Colin Powell knows, peace cannot be achieved without compelling Israel to implement international resolutions and withdraw to the 4 June, 1967, border

Holding dialogue with all countries is a principle of Syrian policy. Syria has never secluded itself nor did it ever sever its dialogue with others, including the United States, because it believes that constructive dialogue and mutual respect based on the principles of international legitimacy are the means of finding suitable solutions to various issues.

This principled, clear and frank policy based on national and pan-Arab principles has won Syria world respect and appreciation.

When Syria welcomed the US secretary of state's visit and received him with an open heart and mind, it had this clear vision in mind.

Furthermore, it was hoping that this dialogue would assist in achieving security and stability in this part of the world, which has been suffering from insecurity and instability for more than 50 years because of the ongoing Israeli occupation and terrorism against Arabs.

'Israel is the problem'

The US secretary of state stressed his country's interest in achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region and in returning occupied Arab territories, including the occupied Golan Heights, to their owners.

As Mr Powell knows, this is something that cannot be achieved without compelling Israel to implement international resolutions and withdraw to the 4 June, 1967, border.

Over past years, Arabs offered everything required from them to achieve peace, because peace is their strategic choice.

The more the US administration works for ending the Israeli occupation, the more the region approaches security and peace

In the meantime, Israel maintained its adamant stances regarding the peace process and did not recognise any of their rights; namely, ending the occupation, and allowing return of refugees and establishment of the Palestinian state.

Instead, it continues to insist on getting everything without offering any evidence of its desire to achieve peace.

Moreover, it seeks to exploit new international conditions in order to undermine the Palestinian cause and foil the road map.

Therefore, it has escalated aggression and committed massacres against Palestinians.

'Make Israel behave'

Hence, we say that the United States is capable of deterring the aggressor and putting international efforts on the right track in order to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

This is a clear road based on an Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories, including the occupied Golan Heights and the remaining Lebanese occupied territories, and the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes in line with pertinent international resolutions.

The more the US administration and other international parties work for ending the Israeli occupation, the more the region approaches security and peace.

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.