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March 7, 2009

US Envoys Hold 'Constructive' Talks in Syria
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=22B7E6F:A6F02AD83191E160D9D4139C64C0281FE55ED32ED25AB8F6&
 
Highest level talks between two countries since 2005 
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman (l) meets with Syrian
Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem in Damascus, Syria, 07 Mar 2009U.S.
envoys met with Syrian officials in Damascus Saturday, the highest
level talks between the United States and Syria since 2005.Acting
Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman said he and White House
official Daniel Shapiro discussed bilateral relations with Foreign
Minister Walid al-Moallem. Feltman described the talks as "very
constructive."The United States has not had an ambassador in
Syria since Damascus was implicated in the 2005 assassination of former
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Syria has denied involvement. In
Turkey, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. and Syria
are just beginning to explore the issues that must be discussed between
them. She said Washington has not decided on the next step. The
Obama administration has said that opening up a successful dialogue
with Syria will depend on whether Damascus rejects terrorism and
militants who oppose Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. Syria,
along with Iran, have been major supporters of Hezbollah, the political
wing of a Lebanese militant group that Washington considers a terrorist
organization. Before their visit to Syria Saturday, the senior
U.S. envoys met with Lebanese officials in Beirut to reassure them of
Washington's continued support. On Friday, a U.S. spokesman said the
U.S. will not follow Britain's move to establish "low-level" contacts
with Hezbollah.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.


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