Syria, US explore improving ties as Kerry visits

Source: AP

By SAM F. GHATTAS

DAMASCUS, Syria – The United States and Syria are exploring the possibility of a new era of better relations after years of tension — but questions remain over just how much common ground exists between the two.

A key sign that President Barack Obama is seeking better ties is the flurry of congressional delegations that have passed through Syria this week. Those were to be capped with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry scheduled to meet President Bashar Assad on Saturday.

The Democrat-led delegations carry the new message that America wants to engage countries it's been at odds with if they're willing, as Obama puts it, to unclench their fists.

On the face of it, the visits are proof of America's willingness to do away with the former Bush administration's policy of isolating Syria.

For example, when former President Jimmy Carter and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi came to Syria in 2007 and 2008 respectively, the Bush administration chastised them, saying their visits hurt U.S. interests.

The delegations stopping in Syria this week — including those led by Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman of California — will find a White House that's ready to listen when they return home.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090221/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_syria_us

The Israeli government.

Source: CBS

Kerry Meets With Syrian President

Senator John Kerry, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations committee, went into immediate talks on Saturday with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to encourage him to curb support for Islamist militant groups in return for a new policy of dialogue with the Obama Administration.

The Massachusetts Democrat, who is also set to meet with Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and other officials, arrived in the Syrian capital for a two-day visit, the last leg of a five-stop regional tour that has taken him to Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel. He also paid a surprising visit to the isolated, battle-scarred Gaza Strip, the first in nearly a decade by a U.S. lawmaker since the second Palestinian uprising broke out.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman, (D-Calif.), also arrived in the Syrian capital earlier in the day, to discuss how both countries can have better ties.

In a further sign of efforts in Washington to re-engage diplomatically with hostile regimes, Syrian Ambassador Imad Moustapha was set to meet with Jeffrey D. Feltman, the acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs next week, at Feltman's request.

“The upcoming meeting could be a chance to put all differing issues for discussion at the table,” according to a U.S. diplomat in Damascus.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/02/21/world/worldwatch/entry4817608.shtml

Nor have they ever had any problem when Kerry did so every year for the last 4 years. The only one that ever had a problem was the Bush administration - though Dr Rice actually gave Kerry and Dodd some questions to ask when they informed her of their 2006 trip.

The Senate and House Democrats actually kept up a dialog for the last 8 years. It likely is important that they did this as they now know the players in that area and are known by the Syrian leaders.

Calling the only democracy in the middle east a terrorist state is deplorable and childish.

heed to the meetings, but, thankfully for the US now, Kerry has a strong relationship with Assad and is considered an honest broker. Syria will be KEY to changing the dynamics in that region.