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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran | |
| Western politicians take the road to Damascus | |
| 2006-12-23 | |
| The streets of Damascus are echoing these days with a sound largely unheard in the last couple of years: the sirens of convoys carrying important guests through the capital's congested streets. Since the summer, a stream of European and more recently American visitors has been beating a path to the doors of the Syrian government. This week, two US senators - Chris Dodd and the former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry - were in town for talks with President Bashar al-Assad.
In Syria, the diplomacy is seen as an important change in the western policy of isolation that started with Syria's opposition to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. It reached its peak a year ago when Damascus was forced to withdraw its troops from Lebanon after the killing of Rafiq Hariri, the former prime minister. A UN investigation into the murder, which many Lebanese blamed on Syria, is regarded in Damascus as a hostile attempt to undermine Keep whistlin', Shifty Not long ago, strained ties with the US, Europe and many important Arab countries had created a sense of siege among Syrians. Now officials say a string of events has vindicated its tough stance. On Iraq in particular the Syrians point to the recent Iraq Study Group report and the Democratic victory over President George W. Bush's Republicans in November as an admission of US failings. Item 1: Repudiated Item 2: Don't believe everything you read in the op-ed section of the New York Times. The strong showing of Syria's Palestinian and Lebanese allies, Hamas and Hizbollah, in conflicts with Israel and domestically, is also contributing to increased confidence in Damascus. "I don't want to say there is a sense of 'I told you so' but there is a sense that people are realising in western capitals that if you want to be influential in the Middle East, you have to come through Damascus," says Mr Dardari. Which is true, but not in the sense that "Mr." Dadari means. While Syria says it is interested in a dialogue with the US and its allies, it is emphasising its refusal to accept what it calls "dictates" from Washington. When we're done talking, Bashar will be the first to know. | |
| Posted by:mrp |