US Courting Syria

U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich called on international media not to engage in exaggerating the events in Syria and jumping to conclusions without talking to people and listening to what they want.

"There are some who want to give a wrong picture about what is going on in Syria," Kucinich said in a press conference held on Tuesday adding that things should be left to the Syrian people, government and leadership to decide for themselves the direction and the way to go for democratic changes.

The U.S. Congressman described what is taking place in terms of the meetings of opposition and independent figures who are expressing themselves and their views openly and freely as "a largely positive progress", clarifying that "President Bashar al-Assad cares so much about what is taking place in Syria, which is evident in his effort towards a new Syria and everybody who meets him can be certain of this."

"al-Assad is highly loved and appreciated by the Syrians," said Kucinich, voicing his belief that people in Syria are seeking a real change which is up to them.
Stressing that Syria has gone through hard time, the US official believed there is a very strong desire for unity and democratic change, and the difficulties Syria has faced over the past few months can be overcome."

He added that "at the same time, people know that their legitimate aspirations cannot be ignored...I came here to understand what these aspirations are and to convey this to the members of the U.S. Congress and the U.S. administration, as well as to the international community."

Answering a question on the American stance towards what is going on in Syria, Kucinich said that the U.S. government is worried about the violent acts taking place and that it is interested to know that an opposition has developed and is being greatly supported and working in a peaceful way to reach change.

"I met people from the government and the opposition. In case both sides come to common points at a later time, the international community should take knowledge of this because things are developing in Syria," said the U.S. Congressman.

"Syria is an important country and what is going on in it and the repercussions will not only affect it, but rather the region and the world as well," said Kucinich, hoping Syria and the Syrian people will overcome the difficulties in the way of democratic change.