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Q. What is the next Syrian move in Lebanon? Can there be a simultaneous withdrawal of Syrian and Israeli troops? Will Syria withdraw from Lebanon if asked to do so by a government of national reconciliation?
A. Lebanese reconciliation is the only way. This has remained true despite continued fighting for many years and despite Israel's invasion. We emphasized this in 1976. We re-emphasize it now and are endeavoring to bring it about. Our attitude recently in Lausanne is quite clear. It is true that the Lausanne conference did not succeed to the extent that we or the Lebanese parties hoped, but there was maximum cooperation on our part. We cooperated fully with the Lebanese President, and the Syrian representative made hectic efforts at the bilateral and trilateral level. We will continue to work for reconciliation, especially as the Lebanese parties are now convinced that there is no alternative.
Our position with regard to a government of national unity is one of full support. When such a government is formed, we will respond to its requests because it will be representative of the Lebanese people. Such a government will stand side by side with Syria to expel Israel from Lebanon unconditionally.
The Syrians and the Lebanese are one people, their past is one and the same, their history is one and their future is one and the same. At the same time we are two independent states. What is there in common between Israel and Lebanon? Israel is an invading force in Lebanon, while we defended Lebanon against Israel. So where is the logic in any attempt to link the Syrian presence to the Israeli presence or to link Syrian withdrawal to Israeli withdrawal? That is why we say our position is clear. We will never accept any linkage between Syrian and Israeli withdrawal. But when a government of national unity is formed as a result of the desire of the Lebanese government, we will meet its request to withdraw unreluctantly, and this could be within a month or within days or months.
Q. The differences in Lebanon are deep and bitter. Have you not perhaps bitten off more than you can chew?
A. No. The people of Lebanon are our people. The U.S. may have bitten off more than it could chew, even if it is a superpower. The reason is that the U.S. and Lebanon do not form one people. The Arabs can solve their own problems because of their common history. More than anyone else, we want to see Lebanon united, stable and strong.
Q. There is concern in the U.S. and other countries about state-supported terrorism, such as the attack on the U.S. Marine headquarters in Beirut. It is said that this attack would not have been possible without Syrian negligence or even Syrian approval. What is your comment?