France will not sever its diplomatic relations with Syria, Prime Minister Jacques Chirac announced Wednesday in Parliament. Chirac said he has “no proof whatsoever that any foreign state had taken part in the recent terrorist attacks in France.”
The Premier said in reply to a question by former Socialist Prime Minister Laurent Fabius that Syria plays a central role in Middle Eastern affairs and that France will not break off its ties without first having conclusive evidence directly implicating Damascus.
Chirac stressed that should such evidence be forthcoming, “France will take all the necessary measures against any country which has taken part in committing terrorist attacks.”
The 12 European Economic Community member-states are scheduled to meet November 10 in London to consider once again Britain’s request for a show of solidarity after London severed its diplomatic ties with Syria and recalled its Ambassador in Damascus after a London court found Syria deeply implicated in Last April’s attempt to blow up an El Al jet at Heathrow Airport.
Chirac’s statement in Parliament indicates that France will once again oppose a joint EEC communique branding Syria as responsible for the London attempted terrorist attack.
At an earlier meeting of the EEC’s Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg last month, Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, called on Europe to show its solidarity and back Britain. West Germany and Belgium have recalled their Ambassadors to Syria for consultations but both governments have stressed that this is only a temporary measure.
Chirac denied in his statement that France is selling arms to Syria. He said that since his government was elected last spring, no weapons have been sold and that he has ordered a freeze on all outstanding arms sales to Syria.
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