Israeli Ambassador Yosef Tekoah, responding to Syrian protests Monday against Israeli raids around Damascus, suggested yesterday that “Instead of keeping accounts of one-sided resolutions and distorting even such dubious texts, it would behoove Syria to begin abiding by its international obligations.”
This, said Tekoah in a letter to Secretary General Kurt Waldheim for circulation among United Nations members, means that “Syria is duty-bound to eliminate the terrorist bases within its borders, to stop enrolling officers and soldiers of the Syrian Army in the ranks of the terror organizations, and to prohibit all activities by these groups on Syrian soil.”
Syria’s failure to do this means that “its complaints concerning Israel’s counter-war against terrorism must be regarded as mere sanctimoniousness.” Tekoah wrote.
The Israeli envoy contended that Israel’s Oct. 30 action “was part of its war on Arab terror warfare of wanton bloodshed and atrocities which is directed against innocent civilians and threatens to plunge mankind into barbarism.” Referring to Ambassador Haissam Kelani’s description of those killed in the raids as “innocent victims,” Tekoah stated that “All Arab news media confirm that the targets struck…were terrorist bases.”
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