People do not only live on interests; they also live on beliefs, especially in very ideological areas. Unless you understand the ideological aspect of the region, you cannot understand what is happening.
BASHAR AL-ASSADPeople do not only live on interests; they also live on beliefs, especially in very ideological areas. Unless you understand the ideological aspect of the region, you cannot understand what is happening.
BASHAR AL-ASSADSome of these agendas wanted me to quit, very simply, so they said “we have all the guarantees if you want to leave, and all the money and everything you want.” Of course, you just ignore that.
BASHAR AL-ASSADThis is reality. If [the American officials] want to believe, that’s good, that will help them understand the region and be more successful in their policies.
BASHAR AL-ASSADOf course, when Secretary-General is objective, he can play an important role in dealing with different officials in the United Nations in order to bring the policies of the different states – mainly Russia and the United States – toward more cooperation and more stability regarding Syria.
BASHAR AL-ASSADWhen our interests matched, the Americans have been good to us, and when the interests differed, they wanted us to mold ourselves to them, which we refused.
BASHAR AL-ASSADToday, the Iraqi citizen sees that America is coming and wants to occupy his country and kill him, and he is willing to experience for himself what happened in Palestine.
BASHAR AL-ASSADTerrorists have been supported by tens of foreign countries, so Syria alone wouldn’t be able to face this kind of war without the help of its friends.
BASHAR AL-ASSADWe are fully free, not partially, fully free, in everything related to the future of Syria.
BASHAR AL-ASSADWe have hopes that we can see rational American presidents; fair, obey the international law, deal with other countries according to mutual respect, parity, etc., but we all know that this is only wishful thinking and fantasy.
BASHAR AL-ASSADAt the end, I said [chemical weapons] is something not to be discussed with anyone.
BASHAR AL-ASSADWe’ve been living in difficult circumstances and we prepare ourselves for every possibility. But that doesn’t mean if you’re prepared things will be better ; it’s going to get worse with any foolish strike or stupid war.
BASHAR AL-ASSADThe problem with every American candidate regarding the presidency, I am not talking only about this campaign or elections, but generally, that they say something during the campaign and they do the opposite after the campaign.
BASHAR AL-ASSADThat the rebels or the terrorists used the chemical weapons in northern Aleppo five months ago [in 2013].
BASHAR AL-ASSADAny cooperation that doesn’t go through the Syrian government is not legal. If it’s not legal, we cannot cooperate with, and we don’t recognize and we don’t accept.
BASHAR AL-ASSADLebanon was under Israeli occupation, up to its capital, but we did not consider that a disaster. Why? Because it was very clear that there are ways to resist.
BASHAR AL-ASSADThink of the war against terrorism. In my view, Washington’s approach can be compared to a doctor constantly banging away at a tumor instead of removing it surgically.
BASHAR AL-ASSAD