US State Dept. speaker on Assad's Speech
MR. ERELI: Well, we saw the speech. We think it is appalling. Let's remember, first of all, that the international community has made it clear to Syria that it must, first, fully cooperate with the Mehlis investigation. And second, cease all interference in Lebanese domestic affairs. That's the clear and unmistakable message of three UN Security Council resolutions: 1559, 1565 and 1636. Asad's remarks today can only be seen as a defiance of those resolutions.
As the Secretary said, it doesn't constitute cooperation by any stretch of the imagination. And I think it is something that is just outrageous and appalling that he would threaten Lebanon like that, especially in light of the three Security Council resolutions and it shows that the regime of President al-Asad just doesn't get it and doesn't understand where the rest of the international community is on this very important issue.
Yes.
QUESTION: What is it that you perceive or where is it that you perceive him threatening Lebanon?
MR. ERELI: Well, I would refer you to the speech where he says that Lebanon is a platform and a factory for conspiracies, where he insults the Prime Minister of Lebanon. These are not the remarks of a country and a neighbor that is respectful of Lebanon and Lebanon's sovereignty and Lebanon's independence.
QUESTION: It's a pretty long way, isn't it, from not being respectful towards a country to actually threatening them? I mean, a threat normally involves -- if you don't do this or -- and we're going to do that. It's something along those lines rather than, wow, that's a really bad place with lots of conspiracies and we don't like the Prime Minister --
MR. ERELI: Let me put it this way. The remarks of President al-Asad are clearly inconsistent with the substance and import of three UN Security Council resolutions.
QUESTION: Could I try something else if we're --
QUESTION: Would you (inaudible) on the threat with (inaudible) --
MR. ERELI: I've said what I'm going to say.
QUESTION: No, well, hold on, so -- hold on. Are you -- you can't stop me asking a question when I'm just trying to elaborate your own word. I wonder if your second answer means you're now trying -- you know, you want to -- you could move away from that word or it is that you do perceive that he is saying, we will do something bad against Lebanon?
MR. ERELI: I will say this. The remarks that -- President Asad s speech -- that he made in his speech, and its implied approval of interference in Lebanese affairs, is not consistent with three UN Security Council resolutions that have all demanded that Syria refrain from interfering in Lebanon s affairs and have ordered Syria to respect Lebanese sovereignty. And that's not what we heard in the speech and that should be of concern to all of us.
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