Editorial de "Ha´aretz" del 19-12-02

Syrian President Bashar Assad paid the first state visit by a Syrian president to Britain this week. He presented to his host, Prime Minister Tony Blair, two concepts that guide Syrian policy. One deals with the link Assad sees between the anticipated war in Iraq and the Palestinian problem, and the other touches on Syria's definition of the essence of terrorism.

Assad believes the West in general, and the United States in particular, exhibit a double standard when it comes to dealing with these two issues. As far as he is concerned, while the United States applies heavy pressure to change the regime in Iraq, or at least to force it to disarm any weapons of mass destruction the country might possess, it is lenient with Israel. As for terrorist organizations, Assad told everyone who asked that they do not exist in Syria.

These views are evidence that Assad is still located far on the edges of the political discourse that has evolved in the Middle East. Syria, which voted in favor of UN Security Council 1441, which renewed UN weapons inspection and allowed American investigators to examine possible connections between Syrian citizens and Al-Qaida, is still stuck in that narrow trench of extremist rhetoric regarding a solution to the conflict in our region.

During his two years as president, Syria has contributed less than any other Arab state to advancing a solution to the conflict. Moreover, Syria has made every effort to neutralize the Saudi Arabian initiative and tie the Palestinians' hands in negotiations between their leadership and Israel, while Assad continues to be the most extremist symbol of opposition to any idea of compromise.

In a meeting at the British parliament at the end of his visit, Assad disappointed those who expected any show of openness, even the most modest, if only for the sake of his hosts. Continuing his consistent hard line, Assad made clear to the British MPs that he will not agree to meet whoever is elected prime minister in Israel ("There's no point to meeting and shaking hands unless there is a real change on the Israeli side.").

Assad confirms his political approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by allowing Palestinian terror groups like Islamic Jihad, Hamas and the Popular Front to remain in, and operate from, Syria. These organizations do not merely maintain liaison or press offices, as Assad so cheekily described them to his hosts, but run command headquarters where murderous attacks are planned.

His superficial support for the international war on terror cannot cover up his active assistance to regional terror elements. The Syrian claim that there is nobody to talk to on the Israeli side cannot justify the backing of Palestinian organizations. And when one adds Syria's support, including providing substantial aid, for Hezbollah, Assad cannot persuade the Israeli public of the purity of his intentions - just as he failed to persuade the prime minister of Great Britain and that country's elected representatives.