Syria President Dismisses U.S. Peace Proposals

President Hafez Assad, in a speech marking 25 years of Baath Party rule in Syria, today dismissed U.S. Middle East peace proposals and indicated that a long struggle with Israel lies ahead.

Referring to the U.S. plan put to Arab and Israeli leaders by Secretary of State George P. Shultz, Assad told an anniversary rally:

“I can say in brief . . . they are the same proposals, same spirit, same essence, though the words were different. . . . (There is) nothing new in the matter.”

The plan envisaging an international conference and limited self-rule for Palestinians received a mixed reaction during a nine-day tour of the region by Shultz which ended last week.

‘Do Not Be Deceived’

Assad, who has ruled Syria with a firm hand since 1970, told the rally:

“Do not be deceived. . . . Israel does not want peace for Arabs. It wants the capitulation of Arabs.

“I say to my Arab brothers . . . if we are unable to achieve victory today . . . why this rush to impose defeat on ourselves?”

Diplomats say Assad and his party followers face tough decisions at a time when the country is beset by economic difficulties, including foreign debt and inflation unofficially estimated to be running at between 40% and 80% over the last year.

Syria champions military confrontation with Israel and opposes compromise. Diplomats say it owes Moscow about $14 billion, mainly for arms purchases.

Shamir’s Peace Plan

“Syria simply cannot afford another war (with Israel) in the short to medium term,” one Western diplomat commented. “It would destroy much of what has been achieved so far.”

In Jerusalem today, meanwhile, a spokesman said Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir will present his own Middle East peace plan in Washington next week as a counter to the U.S. initiative.

“The prime minister is preparing his own proposal, a peace plan he will submit to President Reagan and Secretary of State George Shultz when he meets them in Washington between March 14 and 17,” Avi Pazner said.

Shamir is currently drafting his plan but details will not be divulged before his departure, Pazner said.