Crown Prince Abdullah Speaks 6-6-2001

[Guest guest]

STATEMENT BY

 

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND COMMANDER OF THE NATIONAL GUARD

 

HRH CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH

 

Syria, June 6, 2001

 

"We have come to our sister Syria to discuss the current situation

and future potential of Arab and Muslim issues, convinced that

whoever has legitimate right on his side and depends on God Almighty

will never hesitate nor speculate in voicing his demands: rights

cannot be begged for. We have the strength of incontrovertible proof

and argument against the usurper of our rights, who elevated the

voice of power over that of reason, forgetting the fact that violence

only begets violence.

 

"We remind Israel and its extremist representatives, led by Ariel

Sharon, that the premises and given facts of peace implemented since

the conference in Madrid are now crumbling one by one. The Madrid

conference received the acceptance of the Arabs and the Muslims, who

extended the bridges of dialogue, hoping that this would bring about

a future of co-existence for all parties according to the principles

of justice and land for peace.

 

"This vision from Madrid is what led the Arabs to shake hands with

Israeli negotiators, even though for more than fifty years they had

rejected the extending of a friendly hand to any Israeli party.

Today, what has happened to Madrid and its commitments, and what

about the peace process in all its forms?

 

"Israel has gone too far in its violence and intransigence: Israeli

bullets have been gunning down the elderly, women, and infants. The

ill-will entertained by Sharon and his supporters has reached out to

all symbols of Arab pride. Tall trees seemed to him to represent the

image of proud and youthful Arabs, and thus he stretched out his hand

to root out all plants, thinking that force will lead to the

achievement of his objectives.

 

"We are aware that Israel sees itself as strong: we are also aware

that this could be the case for another ten to twenty or fifty years

to come or even more. However, we believe that perpetual power is the

prerogative of God Almighty alone.

 

"Would there be any sane person on earth who thinks that any human

being will accept injustice forever and that the wounded will

silently nurse their wounds and the weak will be saved through their

weakness? Is there any nation on the face of earth, believing in God

and in God's messengers, that would consider abandoning its rights or

failing to articulate them? Whoever thinks this possible, is simply

deluded.

 

"Sharon can do what he likes: for today might be his day. Yet

tomorrow, God willing, is ours. Every single drop of Arab blood that

has been spilled on our usurped Arab territories will be duly wrested

from those who dared to shed it. Arabs and Muslims are not people who

accept less than their full rights.

 

"The womb of every Arab woman carries retribution and every fallen

martyr has left behind a loud roar, vibrating in the chest of every

child who is looking towards martyrdom.

 

"Israel must therefore allow wisdom to assume its role before the

face of peace turns pale and gloomy in our eyes.

 

"We call upon all honorable communities in the world to embody the

real meaning of honor and contribute effectively and impartially to

implementing a just and comprehensive peace. We call upon the wise in

the United States and in Europe, and in the world at large, to assume

their historical role towards peace. Hope and good intentions

motivate our call. Yet bitter are the disappointed hopes when

swallowed by despair.

 

"From here, from steadfast Syria and at the outskirts of the occupied

Golan Heights, we call upon the rationality of the rational and the

prudence of the wise, to hear - in an Arab tongue and a believing

heart - this call, which is not overblown or exaggerated."