Thursday, June 25, 2009

US moves to isolate Iran with full Syria embassy


Times Online

"President Obama has decided to dispatch an ambassador to Syria, ending a four-year freeze in relations with a country that may represent his best chance of making early progress on faltering Middle East peace negotiations....

Overtures to Syria, by contrast, have received a warmer response. A series of visits to Damascus by high-ranking US officials over recent weeks, including one by Mr Mitchell this month, were regarded as productive.

Improved relations with the US could mean a lifting of sanctions and new business deals — something many Syrians yearn for. Damascus promised to reopen an American cultural centre that was closed after a US raid last year into its territory against suspected al-Qaeda militants.

After his talks with President Assad of Syria, Mr Mitchell highlighted his host’s integral role in securing peace in the Middle East. Washington has asked Syria repeatedly to deny access to foreign fighters trying to cross the border into neighbouring Iraq and hopes to unpick its close relationship with Iran. The countries have a mutual defence treaty and provide support to Hezbollah, which the US branded a terrorist organisation.

Mr Assad is seen as holding at least one key to unlocking the Arab-Israeli peace process. Hamas and Islamic Jihad — armed Palestinian movements that do not recognise Israel’s right to exist — maintain political offices in Damascus...."

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