Syria Update: Interview with mayor of Tartus, Syria

Syria Update: Interview with mayor of Tartus, Syria

December 19, 2013




In this interview, mayor of Tartous, Syria talks about refugees, related problems, and the future of Syria.


Q. Mister Mayor! You became mayor more than a year ago. What problems did you encounter back then and what problems are you facing now? What is done and what is to be done yet?

A. Good evening to all journalists and to friendly Russian people, who are always supporting what is just. We have a high opinion of Russia’s position, especially in recent times when international coalition has declared war on Syria. The aim of this war is to foster the interests of the U.S.A. and their allies in this region as well as to get rid of the terrorists, who have accumulated in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and a number of European countries, by sending them off to Syria. Also, the aim is to weaken the Syrian Republic in its fight against Israeli invaders. The only side that truly wins in this war, which has continued for almost three years, is Israel. However, the fortitude on the part of Syria along with the support of her allies – Russia, China, Iran – has led their aggressive plans to nothing.

The more fierce are the fighting and the combat battles the closer this war is to its end. When we watch and listen to those untruthful media channels, such as Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera, we understand that their aim in this war is to control the Middle East.

I have taken this post one year and a half ago. Sure, many things have happened since that time. Since Tartous and the coastline area have been least effected, while eastern and central parts of the country – Homs, Aleppo, Idlib, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and elsewhere – due to ongoing terrorist activities there have become real hot spots, people started leaving their own cities and moving on here, as these are more peaceful places.

According to our government decree, we have set up 21 refugee centers here. We have accepted about 600, 000 refugees from troubled areas. We have made everything possible to provide adequate standard of living. Inside those centers, we have built hospitals where doctors keep 24-hour emergency services. We have created additional seats in schools, from first to 12th grades. All children were accepted in schools and provided with free textbooks and notebooks. All teachers were provided to work at local schools, based upon their previous work records and salaries.

At mayoral office, we have been doing everything necessary to provide our refugees with all they need. From the very beginning, all the refugees were provided with drinking water to address their daily needs.

Thanks to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the U.N., the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, Occupational Ministry, we have responded to the increased numbers of refugees by increasing the amount of freely distributed food aid from seven to 32 consumer baskets of goods. We are trying to provide the refugees with maximum of comfort and everything that they lack. The city residents took large numbers of refugees into their apartments. Now, they are sharing their food, clothes, and medicines with them. We act upon all the decrees of our government in this regard.



Q. Sir, you are said to be “the man who prefers a hands-on approach”, according to your fellow-citizens. What is currently being done, from humanitarian point of view, to alleviate the plight of those families, whose bread-earners have been killed in this war?

A. There are certainly many people, in Tartous, who have their soldiers killed. For example, I remember how a woman told me about her family that her husband, a major-general, her brother, a brigadier-general, and her son, a lieutenant, all had been killed.

We, this country’s government and our mayoral office, as officials responsible for this country, express our condolences to such families and take part in their funerals. Funerals usually turn into dialogue with the citizens during which they address their requests and problems. All people come forward with their problems, starting with the bereaved family members and all the way to the residents of the townships where the burial took place.

We certainly provide material and humanitarian assistance. According to our government’s decree, we provide with state-funded job at least one relative of the deceased – be it his brother, his son, or his mother – so that the family would be provided with a sufficient income. If such a family does not have its own dwelling place, we assist in obtaining one.



Q. That Syria is going to win the war no one has any doubt about it. Besides, it will happen in the near future. Judging from your experience, when rebuilding the new peaceful life, what major problems do you think are going to face you socially and economically?

A. As you have said, the outcome of this war is clear. The army will certainly defeat the terrorists, as our course it is just. The strength of Syria is in its people, who support their army and provide for it. Syria has a strong economy. Modern Syria began to build its economy in 1970. A lot has been done since then: many schools and free universities were built; state healthcare is freely distributed, which is not available in many countries. The economy is strong in Syria; and after the war, we will begin to rebuild everything anew.

The next year, 2014, is full of hopes. A good budget is being planned and we are going to rebuild our country even better than it used to be. I would like to express enormous gratitude to Russia, Iran, China, countries of Latin America, and all the countries that support justice.



Q. Mister Mayor! I would like to thank you for the interview.