DATE=04/02/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SYRIAN RESPONSE

NUMBER=2-288273

BYLINE=JAMES DONAHOWER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Syrian Ambassador Mikhail Wehbe has responded today (Tuesday) to remarks by U-S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that Syria is fostering terrorism. James Donahower reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: In a press conference on Monday, Mr. Rumsfeld included Syria, along with Iran and Iraq, in a list of states that "inspire and finance a culture of political murder and suicide bombing." Mr. Wehbe says he cannot be sure what Mr. Rumsfeld means.

///WEHBE ACT///

Syria is a very peaceful state, and could not be classified under this classification at all. Seeking peace, condemning terrorism, we condemn the terrorism of the 11th September. I don't know why Syria (was named), except to say that whenever a country like Syria has an independent voice, it could be in this description (added to) the list of terrorist states.

///END ACT///

In addition, Mr. Wehbe says his failure to participate in the vote for a U-N resolution calling on Israel to withdraw troops from Palestinian cities was a form of protest. He calls the resolution "weak and feeble" because it does not demand the "full and immediate" withdrawal of Israel from the occupied territories.(Signed)

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