State Department on Syria and Iraq
Daily Press Briefing Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC July 26, 2004
QUESTION: I'm just trying to get your reaction to the strides that Mr. Allawi has made during -- over the weekend with his contacts with the Arab governments. He seems to have made good steps in bringing the other Arabs to help pick Iraq; and in particular, in Syria he was able to make real giant steps with the Syrian Government in coming to a strategic, economic and -- oh -- around the bilateral relations with Syria. And the Syrian Prime Minister, while Mr. Allawi was beside him, he said that Syria is not going to deny -- or not deny -- or admit those infiltrators but Syria says that Syria opposes an infiltration of any militants across the borders. What is your evaluation of Mr. Allawi's accomplishments in his recent trips? MR. ERELI: I don't really have too much of a comment on President Allawi's travels. I'll leave the Iraqi Prime Minister to speak for himself about what he sees as -- or to comment for himself on his trips and his discussions with foreign leaders. Obviously, as we've said before, we welcome and support and encourage Iraq's reintegration into the region. It certainly -- certainly -- is that -- the fact that that reintegration is taking place is, I think, clearly demonstrated by the warm reception which Prime Minister Allawi has received. And so to that extent, it's something worth noting and worth praising.As far as the infiltration of foreign fighters from Syria into Iraq, that continues to be a problem. Prime Minister Allawi has spoken about it. Our military has spoken about it. There have been some steps taken but much more needs to be done, and that is something we and the Iraqis and others who support the future peace and stability in Iraq look to Syria to take action on. QUESTION: He met with the top intelligence officers privately and he and the Syrian officials have talked about the efforts, the joint efforts, that they're going to start making together, you know, taking together -- Iraqis, Syrians -- in order to stop that infiltration. Aren't you willing to even admit that there is a good -- that it is a good step that the two countries are, you know, they have come to this point and there is a goodwill on the Syrian part? MR. ERELI: I'll put it this way: As I said before, it is laudable that Iraq is being received and accepted by the countries of the region. As far as Syrian steps to limit infiltration from Syria into Iraq, actions speak louder than words.
QUESTION: I'm just trying to get your reaction to the strides that Mr. Allawi has made during -- over the weekend with his contacts with the Arab governments. He seems to have made good steps in bringing the other Arabs to help pick Iraq; and in particular, in Syria he was able to make real giant steps with the Syrian Government in coming to a strategic, economic and -- oh -- around the bilateral relations with Syria. And the Syrian Prime Minister, while Mr. Allawi was beside him, he said that Syria is not going to deny -- or not deny -- or admit those infiltrators but Syria says that Syria opposes an infiltration of any militants across the borders. What is your evaluation of Mr. Allawi's accomplishments in his recent trips? MR. ERELI: I don't really have too much of a comment on President Allawi's travels. I'll leave the Iraqi Prime Minister to speak for himself about what he sees as -- or to comment for himself on his trips and his discussions with foreign leaders. Obviously, as we've said before, we welcome and support and encourage Iraq's reintegration into the region. It certainly -- certainly -- is that -- the fact that that reintegration is taking place is, I think, clearly demonstrated by the warm reception which Prime Minister Allawi has received. And so to that extent, it's something worth noting and worth praising.As far as the infiltration of foreign fighters from Syria into Iraq, that continues to be a problem. Prime Minister Allawi has spoken about it. Our military has spoken about it. There have been some steps taken but much more needs to be done, and that is something we and the Iraqis and others who support the future peace and stability in Iraq look to Syria to take action on. QUESTION: He met with the top intelligence officers privately and he and the Syrian officials have talked about the efforts, the joint efforts, that they're going to start making together, you know, taking together -- Iraqis, Syrians -- in order to stop that infiltration. Aren't you willing to even admit that there is a good -- that it is a good step that the two countries are, you know, they have come to this point and there is a goodwill on the Syrian part? MR. ERELI: I'll put it this way: As I said before, it is laudable that Iraq is being received and accepted by the countries of the region. As far as Syrian steps to limit infiltration from Syria into Iraq, actions speak louder than words.
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