The great and unique never pass away; their stances, heroism, masterpieces, accomplishments and their curricula vitae speak of and denote them. This is the case with the leader, Hafez Assad, who proliferated 30 years of the Syrian modern history with accomplishments. These accomplishments do certify his wisdom, leadership genius, rare national zeal, and self-denial for the sake of the people, HOMEland, and for the sake of the nation.

The late president spent about four decades serving in different leadership positions, 30 of which as a president. All through these years, he never resorted to luxury or to relaxation, in the very sense of the word; rather, his real joy was in staving dangers off his HOMEland, drawing the way for victory, building the constitutions and generations morally and cognitively as a castle in defense of the land, and of the HOMEland future, security and independence.

Indeed, the most precious present the great leader was ever offered was freedom, which he attained with toil, blood, wisdom and with courage. This very freedom was presented by him to the Arab Nation in the Liberation War of October, and in the victory of the Lebanese Resistance and the crushing of the Israeli occupation after 22 years of resistance, fathered and led by him wisely and firmly in the cling to the principles, and in rejection for the logic of compromises, despair, or of being conditioned to the carrot and stick logic.

A year has passed since the departure of this great leader, where his presence is even felt stronger; his stances are renewed daily whereby days and events do reassert the credibility, correctness and ability of his vision in predicting the future.

Thus, in the Arab-Israeli conflict and in all battles, as well as regional and international conflicts , which Syria and the Arab Nation have had a role in, the late President proved his deep and far sighted vision of the future, where he was able to read through this vision the map of events and power realizing enemies and their allies, schemes and plots hatched against the causes of his HOMEland and nation, and at the same time realizing the map of potentialities, overt and covert forces; thereupon, he used to run the battle, outline and define the way for his goals in the wisdom of those who very well know their goals. In fact, he was able to know his friend from his enemy, know his tools and how to use and control them away from chaos and offhandedness. He never fell in the trap of victory ecstasy, never weakened by a loss whatever its pains were. The late president was very solid in defending the land, right and dignity, farsighted in reading alliances and conflicts. He was in love with his HOMEland and nation to the decree of Sufism; never saw pleasure or success but through the realization of the interests of his people, nation evading them risks and plagues achieving victories and accomplishments which made Syria and Arabs in a state of power and efficiency rather than being affected and acted upon.

Syria and generations to come would ever remember the leader Hafez Assad, who bestowed time with the value and who made f this HOMEland a lighthouse from which all Arabs learn the meanings of selflessness, dignity, and of defending the land against Zionism, and against all forms of hegemony and foreign greed.

Syria today walks into her future self-reliantly as to follow up the march of liberation and building initiated by the great president Hafez Assad announcing by President Bashar Assad her determination as to achieve victory, renovate the structure and establishments of the State in a way preserving her activity and harmony with the spirit and changes of the age, and with assertion on her national and Arab identity. Syria is determined under President Bashar Assad to persistently walk to the goal of preserving and safeguarding sovereignty, independence liberating the land in full, realizing the aspirations of the people and the nation for the resurrection of new Arab civilization whereby Syria is the key and the title of its success.

• Born in Lattakia, Al-Qirdaha, a very beautiful Syrian Coastal village, on October the 6th, 1930.

• Completed high school education- scientific branch- in Joul Jamal Secondary School.

• The late led the Syrian students' movement since 1945.

• He joined the Baa'th Arab Socialist Party in 1946.

• He joined a Military Air Academy in 1952 and graduated as a pilot lieutenant in 1955 where he topped his batch and came first in all competitions.

• He attended several military training courses abroad as a fighter pilot where he successfully with distinction finished a squadron leader course in 1959.

• He founded a military Baa'th party Committee in Cairo, Egypt, in 1959.

• He is one of the most distinguished leaders of March 8, 1963 Revolution. He is one leader of secrete command which led the Revolution.

• He served in top Baa'th Party posts (Regional as well as National Leadership) since 1963.

• He served as a pilot during the time of Unity between Syria and Egypt.

• Sacked from the Army in December 2nd, 1961, and was transferred to a civil job in the aftermath of the Syrian-Egyptian Union collapse.

• Effectively contributed to Syria's political struggle as to topple anti-Syrian-Egyptian Union regime.

• Played a leading role in February 23, 1966 Movement, the Movement which expelled the rightist wing of the Baa'th Party.

• He was appointed head of Air Defense Forces.

• He served as Minister of Defense in 1966.

• He served as Prime Minister and Defense Minister on November 21st 1970 following the Correctional Movement.

• He was elected as President of the Syrian Arab Republic in a popular referendum on March 12th 1971.

• On May 14th 1971, he was unanimously elected as the Regional Secretary of the Baa'th Arab Party.

• In August 1971, He was elected as the Secretary General of the Baa'th Party.

• In 1972, He was awarded an honorable Ph.D. from Damascus University.

• He is the founder of the Progressive National Front, which groups seven parties.

• He led the liberation war of October in 1973 in which the Syrian Armed Forces scored victory and shattered the invincibility of the enemy.

• He is married; a four- male and one- female family.

• President Assad rule has been characterized with cling to popular democracy whereby Syria's Constitution was adopted and Parliament role was boosted through the increase of the number of independent MPs as to ascertain full representation to all Syrians.

• President Assad has ever been the staunch defender of Arab nationalism, unity, and solidarity. His Excellency has repeatedly underlined Syria's cling to the realization of the aspired-for just and comprehensive peace in the region on the bases of international legitimacy resolutions and said:

" Our will for peace is boosted by determination on the liberation, restoration of rights and on safeguarding national dignity. It was our keenness on the peace process as well as on securing security and stability in the region which, time and again, motivated us to keep on announcing our preparedness to resume peace negotiations from where they broke off and on the basis of acknowledging what the previous two Israeli Premiers committed themselves to and on the same bases of the UN Security Council Resolutions and the principle of land for peace.".

The late President has ever called for the establishment of a just balanced New World order in which " Neither the strong control others with their strength nor the weak are weakened by their weakness."

Syria, under the wise historic leadership of the late President , has realized growth and development on all sectors of life, especially at the economic level where economic plurality, private, public and joint sectors, was achieved along the political one.

He participated in many Arab and international summit conferences, such as the Non Allied Countries, the Islamic and Arab Summits where he had a remarkable say in the service of our national issues.

The main features of life in Syria since November 1970 under leadership of President Assad were a permanent constitution that regulated all aspects of public life, establishing democratic institutions by direct and free elections, a legislative council, and local administration councils in which the people participate through their representatives.

Democracy is a corner stone in President Al-Assad’s Policy which started in the early seventies and became part of the daily life of the society, resulting in reinforcing HOME front and provided unprecedented public support to the political system. Foremost of the democratic elements in Syria is political pluralism most explicit in the Progressive National Front.

Women have a respectable position in society and state, where they occupy major civil jobs and political posts in the Cabinet, the People’s Council, and all institutions elected by the people. Syria witnessed important developments in education, and culture especially in achieving free and compulsory education. Vocational training is a corner stone in the development of the infrastructure of education.

Higher Education has expanded in the universities of Damascus, Aleppo, and new universities were established in Homs, and Lattakia, offering free university education for all qualified.

Cultural Centers and sport facilities have been established all over the country.

Syrian economy has achieved a great growth. The state has succeeded in developing agriculture to cover the country’s needs, the production of grain, cotton, fruits, vegetables and forests, as well as livestock. Industry has achieved ambitious progress in which the country reached a new phase of its industrial development.  The Syrian economy depends on multiplicity where three sectors are active: public, joint venture, and private. Law No.10 played major role in encouraging investments and enhancing industrial progress.

Syria became rich in service projects such as dams, bridges, highways, railways, and freeways among cities and villages, together with electricity, and telecommunication services. The main issue of great interest for the country which has top priority in President Assad’s mind is liberating the lands occupied by Israel in 1967, and the peace process.

The late President’s last words were: " Our destiny is to build a better future for our countries, a safe future (for) our children. We have to give them something better than what we inherited."

His Excellency has ever called for the establishment of a just balanced New World order in which" Neither the strong control others with their strength nor the weak are weakened by their weakness."

Question:

In the Golan Cause, Mr. President, you have won a victory in the UN, but this, in my opinion, will not help you regain the region, what is your next step, on the Syrian, Arab and international levels?

Late President’s Answer:

Question:

Do you feel, Mr. President, that the USA has turned you down? When you met with President Carter in Geneva in 1977, it was plain that things were moving on smoothly between you. Ever since that time, the relations deteriorated; there were the Strategic Cooperation Accord with Israel and the veto against the decision on the Golan. You accuse the USA of interfering with your internal affairs. Is it possible to say that your relations with the USA are at their lowest and that you consider it as a hostile enemy State?

Late President’s answer:

"Thousands of women in the occupied Syrian Golan and Palestinian territories are daily suffering from the arbitrariness of Occupation, the arrest of their husbands, brothers and children who are being tortured in the Israeli occupation jails. In addition to suffering the Enemy’s racial practices applied against the people of the occupied territories."

"This racist expansionist movement, which has in the past closely cooperated with the Apartheid Regime, its ally in South Africa, is still exercising oppression and terrorism against the Arab people in the Golan, the West bank, Gaza Strip an d the south of Lebanon, and receives the support of imperialism and colonialist forces, one campaign after another launched against Syria under the pretext that Syria helps terrorism, the name they use to describe the freedom-fighters who resist aggression and occupation while Israel is full engaged in the worst kind of state terrorism."

"Our people in the Golan are steadfast in their resistance to the Occupation. Our brothers in occupied Palestine are steadfast in their resistance, and our Arab Lebanese Brothers are steadfast too against the Occupation in South Lebanon. Your brothers and children in the Golan are still confronting the Enemy ever since the occupation, particularly after his attempt to impose the Zionist Nationality upon them. They have vigorously stood against its attempt. They remain steadfast in front of the Israeli pressure. The Enemy has failed and will always fail. Israel wants the Syrians of the Golan to be detached from their people and history and live without roots and heritage. The Zionist racism with its hatred to people in general and to the Arab nation in particular is pushing the Israelis to commit every crime in order to execute their abominable designs. But people can not detach themselves off their roots and histories. Your children and brethren start off from this reality. So, Our Syrian children and brothers in the Golan! can make sure that the Enemy understands that we are not asleep. Today we are here and the forthcoming day is ours with confidence and certainty."

"The resistance to the Occupation in the Syrian Golan territory, the Intifada of the Palestinian Arab People in its occupied territories and the continuous resistance in South of Lebanon are the natural outcome of the continuity of occupation. This resistance is a national duty practiced by any person whose land is occupied, and is practiced by the Arab people in the Golan, South Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza Strip. Aggressors must understand that brutal methods of subjugation and repression shall not suppress the spirit of resistance in the People and shall not impose surrender on them."

"The heroic battles you fought during the October War and then the War of the Golan and Mount Hermon have meant a great change. Through your magnificent performance, sacrifices and the blood of the martyrs, you have shattered the myth of the invincible army and smashed the Enemy’s self-conceit and arrogance. Also, you have proved both to the nation and the world that the Syrian Arab Forces are worthy of both their name and the mission they have assumed.

Question :

What about Sharon’s declaration claiming that the Israeli government wants to double amount of the settlements in the occupied Golan, and what are the effects of this on the peaceful march in the middle east and the international efforts exerted for this purpose?

President’s answer:

Question:

I am sure you understand that there is some ambiguity about your message to President Bush; there is a question asked: Has the USA given Syria any side guarantees or understanding about the Occupied Golan.

President’s answer:

Question:

Do you mean the return of all Arab lands is required in to such resolutions?

Late President’s answer:

Question:

Israel is wondering whether you are planning to enter into direct negotiations with her after the formal opening of the conference?

Late President’s answer:

Question:

I believe that we don't think really that Israel is going to give up everything. Your Excellency is talking about UN resolutions. Do you believe that Israel will quit Gaza, Jerusalem, the Golan and the West bank? if she did would there be any space left for maneuvering or for security?

Late President’s answer:

Question:

Of course I understand that you will not negotiate with me, but you will negotiate in the Conference. Suppose that the Conference convened and an agreement on the Golan was reached, will this be sufficient to make peace with Israel?

Late President’s answer:

Question:

Have you been promised by President Bush that he will exert pressure upon Israel to return the Golan? I know that he has informed you that he does not recognize the annexation of the Golan, but has he promised you to exert pressure upon Israel?

Late President’s answer:

Question:

Egypt was able, through negotiation, to regain Sinai, will Syria conduct similar negotiations with Israel through which it regains the Golan?

President’s answer:

Question:

Is it possible to imagine an agreement signed with Israel under which Syria regains the Golan and the state of war is terminated, and leave other issues to be solved later?

Late President’s answer:

Question:

Do we understand that regaining the Golan is not sufficient, from your point of view, to give peace to Israel and that you want to wait until the West Bank is returned in order to give peace thereafter to Israel and sign with it a peace agreement?

Late President’s answer:

"We have not previously gone into details, and we do not want to at the moment. It is essential now that there must be an acknowledgment from everyone of what has been mentioned in the principles which have been adopted for building peace, before commencing of the peace process, namely the comprehensiveness of solution. Every side should have reassurance that we are heading towards the comprehensive settlement; each bilateral committee then will have its own job."

Question:

In case you are able to cut a deal or reach an arrangement about the Golan, whereas the other issues remain unsettled, will you keep talking about the comprehensive peace. Is it not possible to realize peace if everything is not achieved as a package?

Late President’s answer:

"All Arab parties are interested in the reassurance that comprehensive peace is coming. They realize that there are some particularities of each of the issues. One side may advance faster or slower than the other in case reassurance is available."

Question:

A compromise about any of the issues put for negotiations?

Late President’s answer:

"If you mean the Golan, there is no compromise as regards the land issue. This is an issue that the American Administration knows, written down on paper and known also by the Israelis. No one in Syria can relinquish an inch of the land; he who relinquishes a part of his land or sells out any part of his HOMEland is a betrayer of the people. This is an axiom believed by each Syrian citizen. When People judges that one is a betrayer, then one’s fate is known. I have this conviction. Therefore I say that compromise on land issue is out of question and not on our agenda. If you wander throughout Syria, from one end to the other, you will never find a Syrian who accepts a peace that leaves a part of the Golan in the hands of Israel."

Question:

"I understand from what you have said that the whole of the Golan should be returned to Syria. Is it possible, within such concept, that you can meet some of the Israeli security requirements?

Late President’s answer:

"The settlement, within the principles of the peace, should ensure security to all parties. This is one of the few points which have been agreed upon during the talks, namely the security arrangements must ensure security for both parties."

Question:

Can the Sinai Agreement be an example for a settlement? There is multi-national UN Force in Sinai after it has been regained, do you accept a similar thing in case you recover the Golan?

Late President’s answer:

"I don’t have now in mind all the details of the Sinai Agreement, but I agree with the American Official, and the Syrian Delegation agreed with the Israeli One during the talks, that there must be security arrangements for both parties. As regards the means and methods of realizing security there are no difficulties which can not be settled."

Question:

Is there then a great change in the Israeli position? in the past the Israelis insisted on keeping the land in order to realize and guarantee their own security?

Late President’s answer:

"What they say is one thing and their conviction is another. It is not true that they have seized the Golan for peace, because the occupation never gave them the security in the past nor can it give them security now."

Question:

If the Israelis are convinced now that geography does not give them peace, does this mean that a great change has come into the Israeli position?

Late President’s answer:

"They have been long convinced of this, ever since they occupied the Golan. Our delegation to the talks has heard something like this from them. They have previously said, after 1967, that they have seized the Golan in order to keep the Syrians away from the Israeli settlements, have they realized this? They have advanced 20 km, but the range of the guns, as you know, has been for many years much greater than this; they have not realized such objective which they have said they were heading for. Occupation of the Golan has not realized security to them. They have occupied the Golan in order to keep us away from the settlements, as they said, but they have introduced new settlements and built them one or two kilometers from the Syrian forces. This means that they have not occupied to keep us away from the settlements. Had their logic been accepted, they would have been entitled now to send us away from such new settlements in order to build up other new ones, and so endlessly on. This logic is rejected."

Question:

Do you expect more from Yitzhak Rabin than Shamir?

Late President’s answer:

"Rabin talks more. He talks about peace and partial withdrawal. The logic is different and the language is different, but if he maintains such logic, the result won’t be peace. We, as I have told you, can not relinquish our land. I believe that Rabin would lose his voters if he does not agree to total withdrawal from the Golan. There are parties and rabbis, among them is the Chief Rabbi, in Israel who call for withdrawal from the Golan and say that the Golan is not a part of "Eretz Ysrael". The Israeli government convened in 1967 and decided on withdrawal from Sinai, the Golan and the rest of the occupied territories in case peace is realized."

Question:

What is Syria’s definition of the peace it wants in the light of the fact that Israel has not announced the volume of its withdrawal from the Golan while awaiting to know the quality and scope of the peace Syria wants?

Late President’s answer:

"By such announcement, Israel wants in the first instance, to impede the peace process. The Golan is a Syrian territory which is not connected with what they try to hint by their use of the expression scope of peace. The Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs has previously said what the negotiating Syrian delegation had also said that we want just peace in accordance with the UN resolutions; a peace that ensures stability in the region in which we all live."

Question:

What is Syria’s definition of the peace it wants in the light of the fact that Israel has not announced the volume of its withdrawal from the Golan while awaiting to know the quality and scope of the peace Syria wants?

Late President’s answer:

"By such announcement, Israel wants in the first instance, to impede the peace process. The Golan is a Syrian territory which is not connected with what they try to hint by their use of the expression scope of peace. The Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs has previously said what the negotiating Syrian delegation had also said that we want just peace in accordance with the UN resolutions; a peace that ensures stability in the region in which we all live."

"The media in Israel continuously claims that Syria is threatening Israel’s security. The Israelis in the peace talks, until now, saying the same thing and some foreign visitors who come to meet us, talk about the Golan and its threats to Israel’s security. We refer them to the UN documents and the decisions of the Mixed Armistice commission relative to the clashes along the Syrian-Israeli Front since 1948. All such decisions, except for one or two on which differences exist, condemn Israel. They are more than one hundred documents."

"I have assured President Clinton that, based on the principle of total withdrawal for total peace, Syria is ready to commit itself to the objective peace requirements as regards establishing normal peace relations with Israel, in return  for Israel’s full withdrawal from the Golan up to the lines of June 4th, 1967 and from South Lebanon."

"I have assured President Clinton that, based on the principle of total withdrawal for total peace, Syria is ready to commit itself to the objective peace requirements as regards establishing normal peace relations with Israel, in return for Israel’s full withdrawal from the Golan up to the lines of June 4th, 1967 and from South Lebanon."

Question:

We want to know exactly about what points of difference exist in the Syrian-Israeli peace project. We hear from the Israeli Side but not from the Syrian Side. What are exactly the points of difference? Is it true what some American sources spoke about a possible presence of American peacekeepers in the Golan? Is it good for the Arabs that we are  not told clearly by a Syrian official what precisely are the points of difference?

President’s answer:

"As regards the American peacekeepers, no one has discussed the matter with us we hear about it as you do, and read about it as you do; we will give our opinion when it is discussed with us. As for the points of difference between us and Israel regarding the peace process, I prefer that people ask about points of agreement between us. We have not agreed upon any thing yet. We have only headlines : withdrawal, peace, security. And there is no agreement on any of them. I think I can give you something from my own. I Thank my Brother President Mubarak for his visit and our meeting today because it was very useful, just like all other previous meetings between me and him. I, however, reiterate, as we previously have done, that our relations are very solid, and will continue to be so God Willing. "

Question:

There is now talk about two points; Israel is speaking about withdrawal to the international lines in the Golan, and you are speaking about withdrawal to the line of June 4th, Israel is also speaking about the necessity of raising up the negotiating level, particularly after the final security arrangements are achieved. What is the Syrian position as regards these two issues?

President’s answer:

Question:

It seems now that there are some obstacles on the Syrian - Israeli track of peace negotiations, and that there is news said about Syria’s rejection of proposals relative to surveillance and other issues in the Golan. What is currently the Syrian positions as regards the Syrian track?

Late President’s answer:

"We all, no doubt, know that this track is in a stalemate. The Israelis and most of their demands are outside the framework of the international resolutions. Syria wants to work within the framework of the international resolutions, not beyond. Of course it is not expected that we go into details of the issues and give examples, but we can simply say that deviation of any side from the framework of the international resolutions means that it does not support, the peace process which is based on these resolutions. Syria is committed to and abiding by the international resolutions which it has agreed upon."

Saturday, 10 June, 2000,

Full text of the heart-breaking-news announcement

"This is a day of sadness and sorrow in every HOME, school, university, farm, factory and quarry," a tearful announcer said on Syrian state television. "Sadness is in the heart of every man, woman and child.… The legacy of his accomplishments and ideas is a planet that will shine not just in this generation, but also coming generations."

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, in a letter to Assad’s son Bashar, wrote that he was the last to speak to the Syrian leader.

"His last words were: ‘our destiny is to build a better future for our countries, a safe future (for) our children. We have to give them something better than what we inherited.’ and then there was a sudden silence," Lahoud said in the condolences letter.  "I announce to the Arab and Muslim world the death of one of the heroes of war and of peace, who devoted his life to serving the Arab and Islamic nations and fighting for the recovery of their land and of Arab rights."

But the most emotional of the early tributes came from the Arab League. Secretary General Ismat Abd-al-Majid described Mr. Assad as "one of the heroes of war and of peace who devoted his life to serving the Arab and Islamic nations and fighting for the recovery of their land and of Arab rights". He said he hoped that "the Syrian people will pass through this crisis peacefully and overcome their pain to move forward on the road to development and peace".

The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, expressed grief at the news and declared three days of official mourning in Palestinian-run areas.In his statement, Mr. Arafat said he shared the sorrow of Mr. Assad's family. He said:" the Palestinian people would stand beside the people of Syria, "confident in their ability to overcome this fateful moment".

President Clinton praised President Assad’s commitment to the path of peace. "We had our differences, but I always respected him," said Mr. Clinton, who last met Mr. Assad in March in an attempt to break the deadlock in peace talks with Israel.

"Throughout my contacts with him, including our last meeting he made clear Syria’s continued commitment to the path of peace," Clinton said. "We look forward to working with Syria to achieve the goal of a comprehensive peace." "While we had our disagreements, I always respected him because I felt that he was open and straightforward with me, and because I felt he meant it when he said he had made a strategic decision for peace," Clinton said. "I regret that peace was not achieved in his lifetime, and I hope that it can still be achieved in no small measure because of the commitment he made," the president added.

In Lebanon, Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss described Mr. Assad's death as a "terrible catastrophe" for Lebanon and ordered flags to fly at half-mast during a week of official mourning. Across the region, television and radio stations cut into their transmissions to announce the Syrian leader's death, and then embarked on readings from the Koran as an expression of mourning. Lebanon has announced a seven-day period of mourning following the death of Syrian President Hafez Assad.

State and private television stations have been playing classical music, recitations from the Koran and clips from Syrian state television. Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss described the veteran leader's death as a "momentous calamity which strikes Lebanon in the heart". "A great Arab leader who spent his life struggling in defence of Arab causes and carried the nation's concerns in his mind " Hoss added. Elie al-Furzli, deputy speaker of Lebanon's parliament, described Assad's death as "a major event for us, for Syrians and for the Arab nation" and a time of "great, great sadness". Flags are flying at half mast above all Lebanese official institutions and buildings.

In Turkey, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said he shared the Syrian people's grief. Mr. Cem said that relations had recently improved, and the process would continue. Iranian television described late Assad as "a great resistance fighter". One of the last heads of state to meet President Assad was King Abdullah of Jordan, who praised the Syrian leader's "wisdom, courage and political experience" . Jordan’s King Abdullah praised the late Syrian President as a great statesman who dedicated his life to serving the Arab cause. Jordan’s Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh said his government would continue to support Syria’s efforts to regain the Golan Heights. In Moscow, foreign ministry officials said Russia was deeply saddened by the news. They said they hoped it would have no adverse effect on the Middle East peace process. British Prime Minister Tony Blair praised Mr Assad's contribution to the Middle East peace process and said he hoped his death would "redouble" efforts in the region to find lasting peace. French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine cancelled a scheduled Middle East tour after the announcement. He had been due to visit Syria, Israel and Lebanon. BBC News Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said Assad had been committed to peace in recent years and she expected Syria to "continue on the path of peace." "It's important for Dr. Assad to take on the mantle and for the transition process to be pursued," she said. "I will repeat again to wHOMEver I meet that the door is open, and we will be exploring." "President Assad played a critical role in the Middle East," Albright said: "His passing doesn't alter the compelling logic for all parties to pursue a comprehensive peace nor America's willingness to work with all parties to achieve that goal." "I think that it's totally appropriate that we pay our respects to a historic figure, and that we express our condolences to the people of Syria," she said. "There is no question that we need to work with the Syrian leadership in order to accomplish a comprehensive peace." President Jiang Zemin of China Sunday paid tribute to Syrian President Hafez Assad, describing him as an "outstanding leader." "President Assad was an outstanding leader of Syria, who contributed his whole life to Syria's prosperity and his people's well-being," Jiang said in a message to Assad's son, Dr. Bashar Assad. "Under his leadership, the Syrian government and people scored significant achievements on safeguarding Syria's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and on economic development and national construction." Jiang expressed "profound condolences" on behalf of the Chinese government and people to Bashar Assad and the Syrian people. President Assad in his lifetime had attached much importance to relations with China, Jiang said. "His death is a great loss to Syria. For China, it means the loss of a respectful friend." "I believe the Syrian government and people would definitely continue the work left by President Assad and make more achievements." Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said Sunday in a statement that Chinese government expressed its deep condolences over the death of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad.  Zhu said that President Assad was the outstanding leader of Syria who has contributed all his life to the development of the country and the happiness of the Syrian people.

UN:

President Assad was a solid defender of man, just causes. In appreciation to the stances taken by the late President Hafez Assad towards international causes and peoples struggle for freedom and independence and in recognition made by the UN to the role played by the late president in defense of international legitimacy and commitment to UN charters, the UN General Assembly GA in New York on Thursday held an eulogy dedicated to highlighting President al-Assad's role in revitalizing the role played by the UN and in implementing its resolutions. Gabon's permanent representative at the UN Dennis Dangwi, who is the representative for the African group at the UN said that the state of mourning in the Middle East and Syria over the demise of the late President Hafez al-Assad shows the great respect the late president had won in all parts of the world and explains the great position he had enjoyed and that was because he devoted all his time and thinking to his country. He added all these made of President Hafez Assad so remarkable at the Middle East peace process. He expressed his conviction that the president's successor will continue the way and the dialogue he had already established in the region for strengthening peace. The representative of the Asian group at the UN commemorated the late President's efforts to build a strong states and for his people's dignity and honor. He added " the death of President Assad was a great loss for all of us." He expressed confidence that the new leadership in Syria will continue forward in order to continue building on the achievements already started with President Hafez Assad. Moldavia's representative Eiron Elfaro, who was the representative of the west European states said that on June 10 the Middle East lost the main Arab leader President al-Assad. A leader that history will remember his great achievements and the role he played in strengthening Syria's unity. He added that President Assad was a statesman who dedicated all his life for Syria and the Arab nation. He said that President al-Assad had left his imprints on history during the three past decades and he had his country effectively involved in the ME peace with the objective to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region. Meantime, the representative of the Latin American and Caribbean states at the UN Alfred Louis stressed that the late president was very popular in the Middle East and had greatly contributed to realizing stability and security in Lebanon and had a great role in the efforts to establish peace in the Middle east according to UN Security council resolutions 242, 338 and 425. The representative for West Europe and other states to the UN Antonio Mandido expressed for the countries of West Europe that the late President's commitment to achieving peace will continue in order to establish a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. On behalf of the Arab group, the Algerian representative at the UN said President Hafez al-Assad was a national leader who devoted all his efforts for serving causes of his people and led Syria firmly towards building a modern state, achieved stability and national unity among members of the Syrian society.  He also highlighted the late president's role in defending Arab, Islamic and humanitarian issues.  The US permanent representative said that the late President was a main figure in the ME who chose peace as a strategic option, adding that the US welcomes Syria's continued commitment to this option. He expressed his conviction that this Syrian decision concerning peace was the right decision. He stressed that the US has the desire to work with all sides concerned in the region to achieve peace and will spare no efforts to this effect in achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

Egyptian state television interrupted its normal programming to broadcast the news of Assad’s death. Both Egypt and Jordan have declared three days of national mourning. "I have just spoken to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on the telephone...he told me not only of his grief but also that he is worried about how events will unfold," Primakov told NTV commercial television. "This will undeniably have an effect on the situation both in Syria and in the Middle East in general," Primakov noted. In Tehran, guidance of the Islamic republic Ayatollah Khamenei said in his cable of condolences to Bashar Assad and to the Syrian government that "undoubtedly President Hafez Assad was a symbol and a hero of resistance in the face of Zionism. He had a key role in preventing resistance and to strengthen solidarity between the Arab world and the Islamic nation."

Iranian President Muhammad Khatami praised the late president, stressing he was one of the main leaders of the Islamic nation and that President Assad occupied a remarkable position in recent decades, noting that President al-Assad " put relations between Tehran and Damascus on highest levels." Tehran radio said the government mourns al-Assad death for three days. In Istanbul, Turkish President Ahmad Najdat Cezeir expressed "his deep sorrows." He said " President al-Assad will be in history a statesman who served for the sake of Syria's prosperity." Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that following in the  footsteps of al-Assad "will not be easy because he was a politician and a statesman who is very experienced." He noted the "many positive developments took place recently in our relations with Syria."

In China, the spokesman for the Chinese government in Beijing described President Hafez Assad as "a respected friend." He added that the Chinese government is convinced that "Chinese- Syrian relations will continue their development." In Tokyo, Japan's prime minister in a statement, called on the Syrian people to continue their efforts to establish peace and stability in the region. He noted that al-Assad died, but there are still great expectations to achieving peace with Israel in the coming months. In Ottawa, Canada's Prime Minister Jean Chretien described President al-Assad as the architect of modern Syria. He added " I was very much impressed by his commitment to achieving a just and durable peace in the Middle East." In Rome, Italian President Carlo Ciampi considered that " Syria has lost a statesman who knew how to lead it in difficult experiments towards maintaining its stability. The Arab world and the international community have lost a wise and influential reference." He hoped that Syria would strengthen President "al-Assad's commitment to reaching peace in the Middle East and intensive cooperation with all peoples of the Mediterranean." In the Vatican, Pope John Paul II said in a cable of condolences " After I heard news of President Assad's death, a leader who had ever an important role in the Middle east, I would like to share his family and the Syrian people's pains. I appeal the almighty God to help the Syrian authorities and people in these painful moments." In Greece, the spokesman for the Greek government Demitri Rebas extended condolences to the Syrian people " who lost their President at a very critical situation for current developments in the Middle East."

In New York, the UN chief Kofi Annan said that " al-Assad was a president of an unwavering principle." He added " al-Assad's death necessitates the need to search for a comprehensive and durable solution for problems in the Middle East region.".

The Independent October 28, 1994, Friday

By ROBERT FISK IN DAMASCUS

It was a victory for President Hafez al-Assad, a victory of words. Mr Assad has been using since the Madrid conference three years ago. And it was Bill Clinton who was using them. It was President Clinton's replies - not Mr Assad's – which told the story. He talked about ''a just and comprehensive peace'', about UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and 425, about how peace could never be lasting unless it was just, about ''the principle of land for peace'' upon which a treaty must be based.

16 June 2000

Saturday June 10, 2000

Al-Ahram Weekly -June 2000

Issue No. 486

Let's look at a few of the most common adjectives used by the Western press to describe the late Hafez Al-Assad: inexhaustible. Much of the commentary can be summed up in the way Washington Post columnist E J Dionne Jr described Assad in a piece on Tuesday. Dionne says that Assad was "crafty, perhaps even brilliant," On Monday, the highly popular MSNBC (Microsoft NBC) Web site led its world news section with an article entitled, "Mideast Script: Waiting for Bashar." Interestingly, the article mentions that Assad is known as "the Lion of Damascus," but doesn't bother to add that 'lion' is the meaning of the Arabic word "assad."

Newspapers across the Middle East have added their voices to the messages of condolence pouring in from world leaders following the death of Syrian President Hafez Assad.

Lebanon's As-Safir said in its front-page tribute: "The lion of steadfastness... goodbye".

Al-Anwar, alongside a picture of Assad and his son said: "From Hafez to Bashar, the march continues." Assad made Syria a bedrock of Arab determination, a crucial friend to like-minded states and a worthy foe "

Daily Star, Beirut

The Beirut-based Daily Star said: "Few people go to their graves having left such sweeping legacies that their country's history can thereafter be divided into two unmistakably different eras - before them and after them. "Hafez al-Assad was such a man because the Syria he leaves behind bears so little resemblance to the one that he grew up in". The Daily Star said that during his three decades in power Assad made Syria "a bedrock of Arab determination, a crucial friend to like-minded states and a worthy foe for any that opposed it".

The English-language Iran Daily said the Arab community had "lost one of its greatest contemporary politicians". "Assad was a no-nonsense politician and truly understood all the complications involved. He not only maintained his calm at times of crisis, but also restored calm to the entire Arab world," it said.

Among the foreign dignitaries who were expected at the funeral were nine heads of State:

• French President Jacques Chirac

• US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

• British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook

• President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt

• Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah

• Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat

• Iranian President Mohamad Khatami

• Jordan's King Abdullah II

• Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh

• Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud

• The Emir of Kuwait, Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah

• President Umar al-Bashir of Sudan

• Japan's Foreign Minister Yohei Kono

• Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy

• Canadian External Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy

• South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Zuma

• Austria's President of the National Assembly Heinz Fischer

• The Vatican's "foreign minister" Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran

• Official mourners

• Lebanese President Lahoud and Prime Minister Hoss

• Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah

• Iranian President Khatami

• Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat

• French President Chirac

• US Secretary of State Albright

• Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson

• UK Foreign Secretary Cook

• EU leader Romano Prodi

• Former Russian Prime Minister Primakov

• Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Tauran

• Al-Fahoum explained that Arafat will lead a delegation including the

chairman of the PLO political department Farouk al-Qaddoumi, the secretary of the executive committee of the PLO Mahmoud Abbas and other senior high ranking Syrian officials. In Baghdad, it was also announced on Sunday that Iraq's vice President Taha Muhey eddine Marouf will represent his country to the funeral of President Assad.London said on Sunday that the British foreign office minister Robin Cook will take part in the funeral ceremony of the late President. This was expressed by a source at the British foreign ministry and confirmed by the British TV and radio station BBC news on Sunday evening.

There was a significant police presence but the streets of Damascus remained calm. State broadcasting carried continuous readings from the Koran after the announcement. Arab and foreign delegations arrived in Damascus to take part in Assad's funeral, listing Heads of states and Arab and foreign delegations on Monday arrived in Damascus to take part in President Hafez al-Assad's funeral and to express their condolences on the death of President Assad. Arab and foreign leaders who arrived in Damascus on Monday were Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Saudi crown prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, President of Malta and members of the accompanying delegation, Somalia Prime Minister Omar Ghaleb and members of the accompanying delegation, the ambassador at the foreign ministry in Ghana, Pakistan's former prime minister Benazhir Bhuto, foreign minister in South Africa, the speaker of parliament in Algeria ( Today " Tuesday," Algeria President Abdul Aziz Butaflika arrived in Damascus to offer condolences), the ambassador at the Thailand's foreign ministry, the speaker of the Moroccan parliament and members of the accompanying delegation, China's deputy prime minister Ismael Ahmad, the speaker of parliament in Mauritania Sheikh Sayed Ahmad, Cyprus former speaker of parliament Vassos Lyssarides, the EU ME peace process coordinator Miguel Angel Moratinos, Gambia's foreign minister Muhammad Amin Sadati and members of the accompanying delegation, Iraq's vice President Taha Muhei eddine Marouf and members of the accompanying delegation, Spanish deputy prime minister, Portugal's deputy prime minister, minister of development and human resources in India, a representative for the president ofChile; Mr. Iqbal Rida, the director of the special office of the UN secretary general Kofi Annan, Bangladesh's prime minister Sheikha Husneiyah Wajed, Norway's foreign minister, the British foreign minister Robin Cook, and President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Also arrived in Damascus on Monday evening to attend the President's funeral was a people's delegation including various social strata of the Palestinian Arabs of 1948 led by Azmi Beshara to offer condolences on the death of the late president.In an arrival statement to SANA's correspondent at Quneitra Beshara said that " the people's delegation expresses unity of Arab national solidarity and to offer condolences to our brothers in Syria on the demise of the great leader Hafez al-Assad," expressing great pride over Syria's steadfastness in the face of pressures. Also arrived in Damascus on Monday to attend the President's funeral were the foreign minister of Azerbaijan, the speaker of the Austrian parliament, Speaker of the Yugoslavia's parliament, the secretary general of the Arab League Ismat Abdul Meguid, the President of the republic of Armenia, and many other several Arab and foreign delegations.

The funeral march from Beethoven's Eroica ("heroic") symphony played in the background as pallbearers bore the casket into the palace. There the flag-draped coffin stayed for several hours as diplomats and leaders from around the world, including U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, came to pay their last respects to Assad.Some spectators faint As the funeral procession made its way through the streets of Damascus, women shrieked and wept. Old men in white skullcaps fingered prayer beads.People packed rooftop and clambered up light poles to get a better view. Some spectators passed out in the stifling heat, although soldiers were handing out water.

On Monday, Syrians flooded into Damascus to march through the streets to mourn the only leader many of them had ever known and to show their support for his son and heir apparent. With practically all other shops closed, vendors did a brisk business selling black mourning cloth for the flags and banners that were carried in the marches and draped over balconies.

In the Golan Heights thousands of Syrians gathered to mourn the late president after failing in their attempt to cross the border on Monday to attend the funeral. Tuesday, 13 June, 2000 Golan Syrians bid farewell The Syrians who live on Israeli-controlled land have been desperate to cross the border to attend President Assad's funeral. But the border has never been open and on Monday even those with special permission were not allowed through. The Syrians living in the Golan Heights, which was captured by Israel from Syria in 1967, saw President Assad as the embodiment of the nation they still call HOME.

Elite members of Syria's military carried the coffin of late President Hafez Assad through the streets of Damascus on Tuesday at the biggest funeral in Syria's modern history. Thousands of mourners watched the passing of the coffin draped with the Syrian flag. Many broke into a traditional Muslim funeral chant: "There is no God but God." Some collapsed in the streets, overcome either by the heat or by emotion.

Earlier Saturday in Damascus, the city exploded in shouts, honks and tears as hundreds of bereaved Syrians poured out into the streets to mourn Assad’s death. June 11 — Thousands of buses packed with Syrian workers began rolling into Damascus Saturday as news of the death of Hafez Assad began trickling into Lebanon. At least one man fainted, overcome by emotion. Young men, many of them wearing black with black bands on their foreheads, circled the streets leading up to the presidential palace and Assad’s private residence. As police looked on, the crowd cried "Allahu Akbar!" or God is great, and shouted slogans expressing support for Bashar Assad. "With our souls, with our blood, we will protect you, oh Bashar," the crowd chanted. The government declared a 40-day mourning period. Syria’s red-black-and-white flags were lowered to half-staff. Stores were quickly shuttered. Secondary school exams were postponed until next week. Loud speakers at government buildings, hotels and other establishments resounded with verses from the Koran, Islam’s holy book, in the traditional Islamic way of mourning. "I never thought I would see another leader. I thought he was immortal," said Mohammed Kurdi, a 30-year-old taxi driver. Today, shopkeepers hung black-bordered portraits of Assad on shuttered store fronts. Most women in the streets were dressed in black, and verses from the Islamic holy book, the Koran, were being played at low volume through loudspeakers in government offices and hotels. Syria’s red, black and white flags were flying at half-staff. Secondary school exams, scheduled for this weekend, were postponed until next week. "Our beloved president has left us. There are no words to describe my sorrow," said Bassem Soudan, a university student who had taken off his shirt and taped a picture of Assad on his chest. A crowd of people gathered outside the presidential palace in Damascus, crying and chanting Bashar’s name in support. "With our souls, with our blood, we will protect you, O Bashar," the crowd said. Syria’s red-black-and-white flags were lowered to half-staff. Stores closed and secondary school exams scheduled this weekend were postponed until next week. Loudspeakers at government buildings, hotels and other establishments resounded with verses from the Koran, Islam’s holy book.

Standing in a bus station in Beirut along with another 75 Syrian workers, Selim Daba was one of many getting ready for the three-hour trip to Damascus. "All my friends will be going back," said Daba, a 32-year-old handyman, who lives in Beirut and regularly sends money to his wife and two children in Syria. As he flipped through his wallet, he showed pictures of the 69-year-old leader. "This is my father. This is who I love," he said

Information minister: Syria clings to national principles Syria's Information Minister Adnan Omran made a speech at the council of the Arab information ministers which on Wednesday started its 33 rd session in Cairo with the participation of 14 Arab ministers of information.  Omran said that among other things: "Our great leader (the late President Assad) was of a strong opinion that Syria's security and progress are an integral part of those of the Arab nation." He added that according to the late president who devoted his life working in defense of firm national principles, the dignity of Syria is part of the dignity of the Arabs. He added as saying: " It is my duty to appease brothers ( Arab brothers) that the Syrians will to defend rights and lands is firm and unshakable, and their will to continue protecting the nation's security and to confronting challenges will remain unwavering thanks to recent decisions made by the country's different constitutional establishments to elect Lt. Gen. Bashar Assad a new leader of the party and the State,. Minister Omran said describing the traits of Bashar al-Assad: "

Since the very beginning, the new leader has reiterated full abidance by firm national principles, by the nation's values, by maintaining fraternal ties among the Arabs and by reactivating unceasing efforts to sustain a joint Arab action." He added that "the feelings of sympathy and condolences offered by leaders of Arab countries over the loss of our President as well as your sympathetic expression with us will enhance our will to go on following the right and firm drive run by our late great leader." He said: " we are meeting today amidst critical and very grave regional and international changes that may have impact on the future of our HOMEland and nation. All-out and collective efforts must unceasingly be exerted by all of us to revive the national feelings, to strengthen the position and the role of the Arab nation, to ensure successes in the battles  of the comprehensive socio- economic development and to confront all forms of challenges manifested through the perpetuation of Israel's occupation of Palestine, the Golan and parts of Lebanon and the embargo imposed on some Arab states." He added " During the meeting of the Arab leaders recently held in Cairo, the Arab nation has reiterated its strategic option to achieve a just and comprehensive ME peace based on the implementation of UN  international legitimacy resolutions, on Israel's pullout from all occupied Arab territories and the recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people to self determination, to an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and to the return back of the Palestinian refugees to their native HOMEland of Palestine. Omran continued:" There is no doubt that clinging fast to this unified stand and supporting the national resistance, which had attained historic victory in Lebanon, are the bases of confronting successive Israeli governments policy of maneuvering, intransigence and suppression against our people in Palestine and the Golan." He stressed that "the great and accelerating developments in the fields of information and telecommunications which we witness at the beginning of the new century and the spread of globalization phenomenon in its cultural and information dimensions, will leave deep and big reflects on all societies and states. This requires that we have to adopt unified and coordinated strategies and the blueprints to face these development. And despite that we have taken positive steps at the regional and pan- Arab levels in consolidating our national information structures, we still much work to do at all levels in order to convey our information and cultural message," the minister said. The participants in the meeting observed a one- minute silence in memory of the late President Hafez al-Assad. At the opening session the Arab ministers stressed in their speeches that the late President al-Assad is a great loss for Syria and the entire region, due to the late President's brave and wise stances in defending the Arab nation's dignity and rights." The speakers expressed their total confidence in the continuity of Syria's main role under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Dr. Bashar Assad. In their speeches the Arab information ministers called for backing Syria, wishing all success to Bashar al-Assad in his national responsibility.

Lt. Gen. Bashar Assad hold separate meetings with several Arab, world leaders

14/6/2000

Lt. Gen. Bashar Assad on Tuesday, while accepting condolences on the death of late President Hafez Assad held several separate meetings with several leaders. He held a separate meeting with the US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the chairman of the Russian Duma council Genady Selzenyof who ( the Russian official) handed him a message of condolences from the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lt. Gen. Bashar also held meetings with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Iranian President Muhammad Khatami, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, President Najdat Ahmad Sezeir of Turkey and with the French President Jacques Chirac.

Lt. Gen. Bashar also held separate meetings with the Jordanian King Abdullah II, the ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and the British Foreign Minister Robin Cook. Talks during these meetings dealt with the situation in the region, ME peace process developments and bilateral relations between Syria and these countries.

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