President Bush states that there are indications that Syria has begun cooperating with the U.S. request not to shelter ousted Iraqi officials. Mr. Bush, speaking after Easter Sunday services, expressed his belief that Syria has understood Washington's message. He did not provide further details, but two congressional representatives said that Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, has promised not to grant asylum to high-ranking officials of the overthrown Iraqi regime and to expel those currently in Syria. Nick Rahall and Darrell Issa, two representatives who met with Dr. Assad for two hours in Damascus, told ABC News that the Syrian president is very eager to maintain positive dialogue with the Bush administration. Syria has already denied U.S. accusations that it has sheltered former Iraqi officials and possesses chemical weapons. Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State, has stated that he will soon visit Syria to discuss these issues.
President Bush: Syria has begun cooperating with the U.S. request not to shelter ousted Iraqi officials - 2003-04-20
President Bush announced that Syria has started cooperating with the U.S. by agreeing not to shelter ousted Iraqi officials. This development follows a meeting between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and U.S. congressional representatives. The situation is significant as it reflects shifting dynamics in U.S.-Syria relations post-Iraq invasion.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
President Bush announced that Syria has begun cooperating with U.S. requests to not shelter ousted Iraqi officials. This development follows discussions between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and U.S. congressional representatives.
- Syria has promised not to grant asylum to high-ranking officials from the overthrown Iraqi regime.
- Colin Powell is scheduled to visit Syria to discuss these issues further.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to significant changes in Middle Eastern geopolitics, with countries like Syria and Iran reassessing their positions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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