PRESIDENT 3LST

The President said India is likely to register 8.5 per
cent growth in the current year, which should offer plenty of
opportunities for the Syrian business community.
She said that Indian companies are already involved in
the development programme of Syria. ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) is
engaged in exploring for and production of oil; Bharat Heavy
Electricals Ltd (BHEL) is putting up a power plant; and Apollo
International is extending assistance in the modernisation of
the Steel Rolling Mill in Hama.
"MECON is close to completing a feasibility report on
utilisation of phosphatic resources of Syria. This, I am
hopeful, would lead to greater Indian interest in this
sector", she said.
Earlier in the day, Patil visited AAMAL, a voluntary
organisation run by First Lady of Syria Asma Al-Assad for
helping the disabled.
At the banquet hosted in her honour by President Assad
on Saturday night, Patil said "West Asia is of vital
importance to us. We enjoy cultural and commercial links with
countries in this region. We share the perception that the
conflict in West Asia is essentially political in nature, and
cannot be resolved by force."
She said that India supports a negotiated solution
resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State
of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders,
side by side at peace with Israel, as endorsed in the
Quartet Roadmap and UNSC Resolutions 1397 and 1515.
"We have supported the Arab Peace Plan, which calls
for withdrawal of Israel to pre-1967 borders, along with the
recognition of Israel, and the establishment of the State of
Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital."
"We remain hopeful that the talks and negotiations
would lead to a comprehensive peace process for the final
resolution of the Middle East conflict," the president said.
She also appreciated the consistent support expressed
by Syria for India's permanent membership of the UN Security
Council. PTI