Posted on 07/03/2009 4:06:59 AM PDT by Son House
LONDON - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he would be willing to meet US President Barack Obama in Syria to discuss Middle East peace efforts, in a British television interview. “We would like to welcome him in Syria, definitely. I am very clear about this,” Assad told Sky News.
Asked whether this could happen soon, the president said: “That depends on him.
“I will ask you to convey the invitation to him,” he told the news channel in the brief interview broadcast Thursday.
Assad’s outreach comes as Washington tries to engage with its former foe after President George W. Bush froze relations with Damascus following the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005.
Asked by Sky News if such a meeting could herald a new era of cooperation in the region, Assad said it could, if peace could be secured.
“It’s normal to have differences between different cultures, between different nations and states. But I think the United States has a special role as the greatest power,” Assad said.
He said that “any summit between any two presidents is something positive”.
“That doesn’t mean you have to agree about everything. But when you discuss, this is how we can close the gap.”
The Syrian president conceded that a meeting with his US counterpart would be only the first step in a rapprochement.
“A big change comes when you make actions. An invitation is about dialogue, dialogue is about having common ground, a common vision. Then you have to make a plan then, later, you take action,” he said.
The Syrian president also said he was in favour “as a principle” of renewing indirect talks with Israel.
Assad’s comments came after the Obama administration said Wednesday it would send an ambassador back to Syria after a four-year absence.
In another sign of the detente, Obama last month sent his Middle East envoy George Mitchell to Syria to hold talks with Assad.
. Wonder what they talked about? How many American Troops in Iraq were killed because of Syria's enemy support?
after President George W. Bush froze relations with Damascus following the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri in 2005.
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President George W. Bush just keeps coming up on the right side of history
Obama will be there.
Just give him time to pack his kneepads.
Wonder what this will cost us?
Will they be having gay sex.
LLS
Maybe Obama is upset with Syria since Christians enjoy a great deal of protection from the secular Assad government. Can’t have that.
Maybe he will decide to stay.... (I can dream...can’t I?)
The cost will be first and foremost felt by Israel.
Obama is so ego laden, he will again show it by having such a meeting.
The US will gain nothing. Syria will continue to arm Hezzbully and Hamas via Iran. Syria will cash the transit checks from Iran. And also take US money that Obama will offer.
Assad will laugh all the way to the bank. Just watch.
This clearly shows that MUZZIES only deal with other MUZZIES!
Does he not realize that going TO visit those two-bit “leaders” is a sign of weakness?
Oh. Yeah. He probably does.
Now what can the two of them possibly discuss?
Almost seems like the story of the two wolves and the one sheep discussing what to have for dinner.
There are one million Christians in Syria, 10% of the population.
After Obama Finishes off are Missle Defense when he Meets with the Russians he will Be off to Syria to sell out the Israelis some more and then It should be time to Meet with Iran again . I hope BIBI is watching and Preparing
These ME leaders seem to just LOVE American women...
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