Syria Says Wants Dialogue, Better Ties with U.S.
Reuters ^ | January 05 2004
Posted on 01/05/2004 12:41:01 PM EST by knighthawk
DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara, whose country faces possible U.S. diplomatic and trade sanctions, told Washington's new envoy Monday that Damascus wanted better ties and a positive dialogue. Shara "emphasized the importance of the establishment of a positive and constructive dialogue between the two countries to create a better understanding for their respective stances," the official news agency (SANA) reported.
Shara, speaking to Margaret Scobey after she had presented her credentials, "welcomed Ambassador Scobey, wishing her... success in improving ties between Syria and the United States," SANA said.
Traditionally tense ties between Syria and the United States worsened after the start of the U.S.-led war in neighboring Iraq, which Damascus vehemently opposed.
The war of words between the two raised concern in the Arab world that Syria might be the next American target after Iraq, especially when Washington accused Syria of developing chemical weapons and helping aides of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to flee.
The United States has since accused Syria of turning a blind eye to militants crossing its borders to attack U.S.-led occupation forces in Iraq -- charges Syria has denied.
Syria in turn has often accused the United States of trying to promote the interests of Israel, its main regional ally, at the expense of those of Arabs.
The White House nominated Scobey in October. A month later U.S. lawmakers voted to impose economic and diplomatic sanctions on Syria to punish Damascus for backing militant groups hostile to Israel, keeping troops in neighboring Lebanon and failing to secure its border with Iraq.
Syria argues that its support for Lebanese and Palestinian "freedom fighters" is political and says its presence in Lebanon is based on a bilateral arrangement with Beirut.
The bill, signed later by U.S. President George Bush, gives him the authority to waive the sanctions on Syria if he deems it in the national interest.
Scobey, who served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia, replaces Ambassador Theodore Kattouf, who left Syria in August.