Meeting of Syrian Foreign Minister with New U.S. Ambassador in Damascus - 2004-01-05

The Syrian Foreign Minister stated that his country seeks better relations and constructive dialogue with the United States. According to the official Syrian news agency, Farouk al-Shara expressed this view on Monday during a meeting with Ms. Margaret Scobey, the new U.S. Ambassador in Damascus. Relations between the two countries have cooled over the past year, with the U.S. accusing the Damascus government of allowing Arab insurgents to cross from Syria to fight against U.S. forces in Iraq. A month ago, President Bush signed a law threatening Syria with diplomatic and economic sanctions, stating that sanctions would be imposed unless Syria secures its borders, withdraws its troops from Lebanon, ceases efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction, and ends support for extremist groups attacking Israel. In response, Syria denies attempts to procure prohibited weapons, claims its forces are in Lebanon based on a bilateral agreement, and states that its support for anti-Israeli groups like Hamas is politically motivated. Syria also accuses the U.S. of advancing Israeli interests at the expense of Arabs in the region.