Damascus official: Syria losing patience with Israel

Syrian information minister warns that foot-dragging in implementation of UN resolutions regarding Golan Heights may trigger violence in region. 'It's been years and we've achieved nothing. The Syrian people will not wait much longer,' he says

Roee Nahmias |Published: 09.17.06 , 14:47

Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal said that his country is losing patience in the matter of the Golan Heights, and that the Syrians would not wait much longer before they act.

"Syria has made a strategic choice for peace, but it will not wait much longer before it recaptures the Golan Heights," Bilal told Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram al-Arabi.

"The Syrian people have waited 40 years for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions, but to no avail, and they are losing their patience," he stated.

"Syria chose peace as a strategic option, especially after former president Hafez Assad received a letter from President George Bush that included the principle of peace in exchange for territories, a letter that has become known as 'the Madrid principle.'," he explained. "It's been 16 years and still we have reached no results," he added.

'Chaos may erupt if Israel attacks'

In the course of the interview, Bilal was asked whether he believes that "in wake of the Israeli war machine's defeat to Hizbullah, Israel is plotting to hurt Syria in a bid to compensate for its loss."

Bilal replied: "Common sense, logic, and the international law – or what is left of them – say that this won't happen. But madness and stupidity can lead to this. I hope that common sense and logic prevail. This is our hope. If not – the chaos that will erupt will harm everyone."

"in any case, if we are attacked – we will know how to defend ourselves and how to safeguard our land, our will, our values and our dignity," he concluded.

Another menacing message was received from Iran on Sunday: Commander of the Iranian Navy Admiral Sajjad Kouchaki said that military industry experts in his country succeeded in constructing “the most advanced sea cannon in the world,” according to Iran’s Fars news agency.

He further claimed that Iran was the third nation in the world that succeeded in developing such a weapon, after the United States and Italy. The Fajr missile can hit underwater targets up to 19 km away and air targets up to 23,000 feet away.