'A Long Road Ahead'

We have given priority to the economy. Four months ago, we established the first private bank in 40 years. A few months before we [established] private universities. In the field of politics and human expression, about 18 months ago we had the first private newspapers. Private radio stations will start soon. But there are also many factors driving us backward: the general situation in the Middle East; the Iraq situation. Two years ago the priority was the economy, now the priority is security. Last month we had the first terrorist explosion in 19 years. This is a result of the war in Iraq and other factors. Now the Syrian people are asking for stricter security measures.

Who was responsible for that explosion in Damascus?

We are going to interview the accused [two Syrian men who survived the blast] on TV on Saturday. They're not part of any organization. This is an individual act. It was just revenge, hate, motivated by Iraq. They wanted to attack any of the Western embassies that support the [U.S] policy in Iraq. [But] they just [attacked] an empty U.N. building. They killed two women with no reason.

Are you expecting more such attacks?

You cannot say that what is happening here is not related to what is happening in the rest of the world. When you have war, what are the side effects? Prosperity? Love? [No], this is a normal result of war.

Does Syria have weapons of mass destruction? [Washington says Syria's weapons include an advanced chemical-weapons capability and a stockpile of the nerve gas sarin.]