Powell Arrived in Damascus: Syria Facing US Pressure

03/05/2003| IslamWeb

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has arrived in Damascus for talks aimed at convincing Syria to stop supporting militant groups opposed to peace with Israel. Speaking to reporters en route, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said the US wanted to see "specific action and performance" by the Syrian Government. The secretary of state will meet Syrian President Bashar al-Assad today to press Washington's view that the overthrow of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and a possible resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks create a "new strategic dynamic" in the region. He urged Syria to bear in mind that Congress had revived a Syria Accountability Act which threatens sanctions, and that some embargo provisions of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 could apply to Syria. "Frankly, Syria would be a lot better off if they would move away from some of these policies of the past. Why hang on to policies that no longer have the same relevance?" he said. The visit is Powell's first trip to Syria for more than a year and follows a period of tension between Washington and Damascus over allegations that Syria was trying to undermine the US during the Iraq war. Powell also said the US was interested in a comprehensive Middle East settlement and would listen to Syria's view on the Golan Heights, which was captured by Israel in 1967 and annexed in 1981. Washington's main concerns are Syrian support for the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah and for Palestinian groups opposed to the new peace plan. The United States has long included Syria on its list of what it calls "state sponsors of terrorism". Tensions rose sharply this year over allegations Syria had let military equipment and volunteer Arab fighters cross its border into Iraq and that it had allowed Saddam aides to flee. Powell was met at Damascus airport by Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Sharaa, who cautioned earlier that Syria wanted dialogue not ultimatums from Washington. "He can put to us his ideas within the framework of dialogue [and] explain his views on events in the region," Sharaa said. "We will respond to these points without a spirit of aggressiveness." But he added: "We will not respond to demands." Since US forces took Baghdad, Washington has increased the pressure on Damascus, accusing it of hosting members of Saddam Hussein's deposed regime. Syria rejects the charges and has tried to redirect the focus of attention to what it says is Israel's occupation of Arab lands. **PHOTO CAPTION*** US Secretary of State Colin Powell (L) and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Sharaa (L), (Photo by Reuters)