March 26, 2004
RUNNING TO THE GOOD COP:
Syria seeks our help to woo US (John Kerin, 27Mar04, news.com.au)
SYRIA has appealed to Australia to use its close ties with Washington to help the Arab nation shake off its reputation as a terrorist haven and repair its relations with the US.Secret talks between the two nations have been under way for months but have become more urgent as rogue nations reconsider their role in allowing terrorists to thrive, in light of the US determination to take pre-emptive military action.
A Syrian embassy will be opened in Canberra in weeks and Australia is considering reopening its mission in Damascus.
Australia's close relationship with Washington, and its much higher profile in the Middle East, have prompted Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara'a and parliamentary speaker Mahmoud Al-Ibrache to appeal to Canberra to help bring their country back in from a US-imposed diplomatic freeze.
"You're his partner, can't you talk to him? We'll do anything he wants!" Posted by Orrin Judd at March 26, 2004 5:17 PM
Open the dialogue with a good faith gesture: have Syria offer OBL refuge so we can nab him. Then we'll talk.
Posted by: John Resnick at March 26, 2004 5:58 PMOr, have Syria sign a peace treaty with Israel, kick all of the known terrorists who live in Damascus into Lebanon, and freeze all the terror organizations' bank accounts.
They can even have the Golan Hights back, as I believe Israel offered once before.
Posted by: Michael Herdegen at March 26, 2004 6:58 PMOpen up the Bekka Valley.
Posted by: Sandy P. at March 27, 2004 12:02 AMOh please, Mr. Howard, keep that deranged maniac Bush off our backs ! And could you arrange for a meeting with Mr. Blair, like Khadaffi got ? We'd be very pleased to serve him tea and cookies.
Posted by: Peter at March 27, 2004 9:19 AM