October 8, 2001	Monday	Rajab 20, 1422

AMMAN, Oct 7: Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa Miro said on Sunday in Amman that Israel represents “state terrorism” and should not be part of the international coalition to fight against terrorism.

“Syria calls for the non-participation of Israel in any international effort linked to the fight against terrorism,” said Miro, speaking at the inaugural session of the joint Jordanian-Syrian high committee, which he and his Jordanian counterpart Ali Abu Ragheb both chair.

“Israel, by pursuing its aggressive and expansionist policies against the Palestinians, by shirking the resolutions provided by international law and by sabotaging all efforts for a fair and comprehensive peace in the region, is a perfect example of state terrorism,” he said.

Whilst reiterating his country’s condemnation of the September 11 terror attacks against the United States, Miro called for “an international conference to be convened by the United Nations to define terrorism and establish a distinction between terrorism and the right of peoples to resist occupation.”

For his part, Abu Ragheb voiced Amman’s support for the Palestinian people and their Authority in their struggle to recover all their legitimate rights, including the right to an independent state with Al-Quds as its capital.”

On arrival, Miro met with Jordan King Abdullah II with whom he discussed the developing international situation and bilateral relations, royal palace sources said.

His visit comes only days before the October 10 meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Qatar, ahead of which Syria is seeking to promote an unified Arab and Muslim stance on the definition of terrorism.—AFP