 |
| Mr. Pedro Paulo Moreira, President of THE GUIDE and Mr. Ali Diab, Ambassador of Syria in Brazil. |
|
Syrian Arabian Republic , is known as the center of one of the most ancient civilizations on Earth, and celebrates its National day on April 17th. THE GUIDE had an interview with Mr. Ali Diab, the Ambassador of Syria in Brazil in the occasion of the National Day. Mr. Ali Diab talked about his country and also about his perception of Brazil and relations with Syria. See the interview below and get to know about this fascinating country from Southwest Asia. |
1- THE GUIDE: How long have you been the Ambassador in charge here in Brazil?
Ambassador Ali Diab: I came to Brazil with my wife, two daughters and my younger son on November 2004. |
2 - THE GUIDE: How is the government regime in Syria?
Ambassador Ali Diab: The current government regime in Syria is the Presidential System, and the election is done every 7 years made by a plebiscite, where the party who governs indicates someone and the Parliament may agree or not. The next election will be on June of 2007. |
3 - THE GUIDE: What is the size of the population of Syria? Can you tell us a little about Syria’s Capital City?
Ambassador Ali Diab: Syria ’s population is around 20 millions of people. Harare, the capital city of Syria is a unique city! It is the most antique inhabited capital of the world. The Syria’s civilization began since 07 centuries B.C. There is a lot of historical and archaeological places that is worth been visited, such as the Umijadas Mosque, which is one of the most important tourists places, and there are also the old markets. |
4 - THE GUIDE: And the people, what can you say about the people of Syria?
Ambassador Ali Diab: Syrian citizens are a very active people, known by their seriousness and disposition at the work, which can be noted through the Syrian Community in Brazil that immigrated for past 150 years. They arrived poor and nowadays they are businessmen, parliamentarians and helped a lot on the construction of Brazil. In the meeting with the President of Brazil, we received many compliments from President Lula for the strong participation of the Syrians on the construction of Brazil. Syria is predominantly an agriculturist country and the women have equal rights and we can say that even more then some countries on Europe. Parliament has nearly 12% of woman occupying important positions. |
5- THE GUIDE: Is there any similarities between the Syrian and Brazilian citizens?
Ambassador Ali Diab: Definitely, there are a lot! One of them is the pacific living-together; the tolerance, generosity, no prejudice and no racism and both of them have a great hospitality with the foreigner. |
6- THE GUIDE: How is the National Day of Syria celebrated there?
Ambassador Ali Diab: There is a celebration on a republic level, and events held by the Central power with the President and ministers and each province organizes its parties too. Usually, the governmental workmanships such as schools, hospitals, factories and economic projects are inaugurated on the National Day. |
7 - THE GUIDE: What about the relations with Brazil? How are they?
Ambassador Ali Diab: They are excellent, satisfactory, and we are working to make it grow even more each day. President Lula visited Syria at the end of 2003, and probably the Syria’s President will come to Brazil later this year. |
8 - THE GUIDE: Can you tell how many citizens of Syria are here in Brazil?
Ambassador Ali Diab: Around 10% of Brazil’s population is made of Syrian-Lebanese and Arabian descendents. |
9 - THE GUIDE: What can you say about your staying here in Brasilia?
Ambassador Ali Diab: I found Brasilia a very calm city with very hospitable people, and there are no traffic jams, which is great. I have good relations with many institutions, such as Itamaraty, House of Representatives (Câmara dos Deputados), Congress and also other embassies. |
10 - THE GUIDE: Are you and your family already adapted with the city of Brasilia?
Ambassador Ali Diab: My family had a little more difficulty but this will change as soon as they improve their Portuguese. |
11- THE GUIDE: What takes your attention the most since you have been in Brazil?
Ambassador Ali Diab: Brazil is a giant country, the population exceeds 180 millions people, and what also grabs my attention is de democracy and the autonomy of the states. The Brazilians are very generous, and we can find a miscegenation of races that is exemplar. |
 |
| Mr. Pedro Paulo Moreira, President of THE GUIDE, thanks the Ambassador Ali Diab for the interview. |
|
12- THE GUIDE: Have you been in other states in Brazil? Which ones?
Ambassador Ali Diab: Yes, I have been several times to Goiânia- State of Goiás, Curitiba- Paraná, State of Piauí, Porto Alegre- Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Fortaleza- Ceará, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. All of those have been for diplomatic meetings and to visit cultural institutions. I thought that Curitiba is a very beautiful city because of the cleanness and the organization. But in the end, I can say all those visits were excellent. |
| THE GUIDE thanks Ambassador Ali Diab for the interview. |
