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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad considered Western claims his government used chemical weapons were an "insult to common sense" and warned the United States it faced failure if it attacked, in an interview with a Russian newspaper published Monday.  "The comments (accusing the regime of using chemical weapons) made by politicians in the West and other countries are an insult to common sense... It is nonsense," Assad said. Assad accused the United States of first making the accusations that his government used chemical weapons in an attack outside Damascus, and only later starting to look for proof. He said the frontline in the area where the incident took place was not clear and the Syrian regime would have risked killing its own army forces if it used chemical weapons. "This contradicts elementary logic," Assad said. "Such accusations are completely political and the reason for them is a number of victories by the government forces against the terrorists."  "We are an independent state, we will fight against terrorism and we will build relations with whom we want for the good of the Syrian people." He warned the United States against attacking Syria and argued Washington's previous military campaigns in recent years had always fallen short of their aims. "The United States faces failure just like in all the previous wars they waged, starting with Vietnam and up to our days," he said. "America has taken part in many wars but could not once achieve its political goals for which the wars were started. Yes, it is true, the great powers can wage wars but can they win them?" he asked. Assad said he is in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin "from time to time", not by telephone, but by intermediaries visiting respective capitals. Asked about Russia's hugely controversial contract to deliver Damascus with S-300 missile systems, Assad said that "all contracts agreed with Russia are being fulfilled.""Russia is supplying Syria with what is needed to protect Syria and its people," he said. While hailing Russia’s stance, Assad said Qatar was a "sponsor of terrorists" while Turkey "trains and provides corridors for them". Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, was a country "which only has money and someone who has just money cannot create a civilized society," Assad said. Asked about the chances of organizing the so-called Geneva-2 peace conference backed by Russia and the United States, Assad replied: "We cannot start a political dialogue until the support from abroad for terrorism is halted." | ||||
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President Assad: Failure Awaits US If it Attacks Syria
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