Following are excerpts from an interview with Syrian university professor Munzir Halum, aired by Al-Alam TV on May 5, 2006:

Dr. Munzir Halum: When there is advanced technology in politically unstable societies, with a social and political despotic and tyrannical environment, it is difficult to predict where this advanced technology might lead. It may do more harm than good.

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Do we have enough energy for our development plans? So far, in my opinion, in most, or maybe all, the Arab countries there is sufficient non-nuclear energy. But this is directly related to our development plans. Unfortunately, the governments in Arab countries have no plans whatsoever, except for plans to remain in power for all eternity.

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I am afraid that no one, not even Iran itself, has any interest in Iran's nuclear development.

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We must make sure that others have an interest in our development, an interest in our survival, and in our being equal to their peoples. We must adapt ourselves to the process of global development. This is, in fact, the difference between us and our enemies. Israel knew how to benefit from the changes that took place after World War II, when it bet on the wining horse, and it knows how to benefit now from globalization. Unfortunately, to this day, we are focusing, to a great extent, on stubbornness and antagonism.