US Secretary of State Colin Powell has written to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad asking for Damascus's help to bring peace to Iraq. The letter from Powell — and a separate congratulatory letter from President Bush — were delivered by U.S. Ambassador Margaret Scobey during a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa. Powell's message "explains the dangers of the developments in Iraq" and urges Syria "to give any possible help that could contribute to easing the situation there in a way that serves the country's unity and preserves its security and stability," SANA said. The agency did not say what Bush's message contained.
| Perhaps a suggestion that we won't be pleased if Syria doesn't cooperate? |
In a televised address Tuesday, Bush said Iraq's neighbors "have responsibilities to make their region more stable." He said he was sending Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage to "discuss with these nations our common interest in a free and independent Iraq, and how they can help achieve this goal." Syria, a staunch opponent of the U.S.-led war on Iraq, is the only country of seven on the U.S. list of states accused of sponsoring terrorism to have full diplomatic relations with the United States. |