Transcript: Syrian president Bashar Assad

CURRY: Because you've had a history of dealing with terrorism.

BASHAR ASSAD: Exactly. 'Til the '50s.

CURRY: In the '50s.

BASHAR ASSAD: Since the '50s.  

CURRY: The US wants to believe that you're doing all you can to stop these fighters.  What evidence-- because a lot of this is perception is reality.  What evidence can you offer that Syria's doing everything possible to stop these foreign fighters?  Because these foreign fighters are linked to these car bombings that are killing thousands of Iraqi civilians, US troops in Iraq.  Are you doing enough?

BASHAR ASSAD: You can ask yourself-- very  question.  What do I have? What's my interest in having care for Iraq?  When you have chaos, as I said, it's contagious.  So when I help both, I'm helping-- affecting Syria directly.  

And again, as I said earlier, I work for Syria and Iraq.  I don't work for the United States.  So it doesn't matter what this administration think.  The most important thing, where-- where is my interest lies?  Regarding this issue, when they say "Do you have interest in this administration?"  In controlling the border, stopping those terrorists from crossing the border, I have the same interest.  But... I work for myself and my country.

CURRY: So are you saying to me this morning, are you saying that Syria's doing everything it can to stop these foreign fighters, for its own interests?

BASHAR ASSAD: Exactly.  But when you have the-- one-- airplane with more than one captain, you can't ask one of them, "Where are you going?"  You have to ask all of them, "Where are you going?"  But we're not the only player.

Iraq has border with six countries.  And United States is inside it.  And they can take control of everything.  And they are the (ones) responsible of everything.   When asked (a) question and they say "yes" or we can see that they are doing their job, we can ask the others.  But you don't start from the neighbors.  You start from Iraq itself.

CURRY: So you're asking whether the US is doing enough inside Iraq to control its borders?

BASHAR ASSAD: They do nothing.

CURRY: You're saying the US in Iraq is doing nothing to control the borders?

BASHAR ASSAD: Exactly. Because the issue is political.  While they deal with it as a number of soldiers.  How many numbers - you raise the number of soldiers or you go down the number of soldiers. That’s not the issue.

CURRY: You acknowledge then that foreign fighters are crossing in significant numbers through Syria into Iraq?

BASHAR ASSAD: This normal 'cause nobody can seal this border. 

CURRY: You're saying "yes"?

BASHAR ASSAD: Yes every country in the world has (border problems) all over the world.  All the time.

CURRY: But in this particular case, we're talking about people who are causing car bombs exploding in Iraq.  So you're saying "yes"?

BASHAR ASSAD: I know-- we don't know.

CURRY: Do you know how many?

BASHAR ASSAD: No, no.  We don't know who cross or not.  We don't know.  We don't have information that somebody crossed as a terrorist to go and do such action.  I said any country and especially in our region, you have smuggling (weapons and) everything.  People.  You don't know if they are terrorists or people going to work or drug dealers or whatever.  You don't know.

CURRY: But what about this report?  Last week the US military said that your government is taking more steps to stop the fighters from crossing the border.

BASHAR ASSAD: Yes.  'Cause we want to protect Syria as well.

CURRY: But at the same time, the state department also said in the report, quote, foreign fighters and terrorists continue to transit Syria's borders into Iraq.  True?

BASHAR ASSAD: We don't have information who is crossing the border.  We should be very precise.  Is it terrorist or not?  But because our border has been used forever, like your border with Mexico, it cannot be controlled.

So nobody can talk about controlling the border completely.  This is not realistic.  But who's crossing we don't know.  They have to tell us because they go to Iraq.  Did they catch them?  Do they have any evidence?  Any information?  They have to tell us.  So far they haven't-- provided us with any beneficial information about it.  Just allegation.

CURRY: Actually a senior intelligence officials go further.  They tell NBC News, quote, the Syrian government is the biggest external supporter of the Iraqi insurgency.  There is certainly some suggestion of top government involvement.  Is your government involved in supporting the insurgency in Iraq?

BASHAR ASSAD: You have to say why first.  This is false allegation and logic.  This is devoid of logic.  Again, how can I work against myself?

CURRY: Your answer is "no"?

BASHAR ASSAD: Of course no.

CURRY: This is not happening?

BASHAR ASSAD: No, no, no.  It's devoid of logic, what they say.  It's against me if I do that, as I said.

CURRY: Why?  Why would it be against Syria for you to support the Iraqi insurgency?

BASHAR ASSAD: As I mentioned, because those terrorists are killing innocents.  They created chaos in Iraq.  When you have chaos and you have  civil war, that will be contagious.  That will affect Syria.

So we have no interest in doing so.  And this is from one side.  Second, they don't work against the United States.  They work against the Iraqis.  They explore for the cause in Iraq regime, not in the — American military camp.  What's the logic?  Where's the logic that Syria is supporting this?  They don't have any logic or explanation.

MORE FROM TODAY

Today Section Front

Meet Hunky Santa: Brawny guy, mall savior Obama family lights National Christmas Tree Extend the life of your vehicle in 10 easy steps Poe’s first book sells for record $662,500 ‘Sexting’ bullying cited in teen girl’s suicide Obamas reuse ornaments from Christmas past Are you having an affair ... with your baby? Al’s Book Club goes retro: ‘Nancy Drew,’ ‘Hardy Boys’ Baxter’s TV hubby supports her coming out 'Family Ties' mom: ‘I am a lesbian’ Today Section Front   Add Today headlines to your news reader: