Possible US-Syrian dialogue sparks interest

[Blackaxe]

Lebanese political circles are waiting for the end of this month to verify the possibility of a US-Syrian dialogue opening up, according to ministerial sources who said intensive contacts have taken place over the past three months.

Parties concerned with the Lebanese presidential elections - both those supporting and those protesting a possible extension of President Emile Lahoud's term - are showing a close interest in the development of any such dialogue, knowing it could have a critical impact on their cause.

Supporters of an extension believe that such a dialogue indicates a trend toward calming US-Syrian relations and reaching a consensus, even if temporary, between Washington and Damascus to deal with some delicate pending issues. Supporters feel if there were such a consensus, Syria would no longer be embarrassed (of the US) to support the extension of Lahoud's term.

Those supporters believe that if a consensus was reached over certain US demands - such as Syria ending its support of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and Hizbullah, agreeing to army deployment in Southern Lebanon and setting a timetable for its pullout from Lebanon - the chances for an extension would be improved. Syria's excuse would be that it needs the trusted rule of Lahoud in Lebanon to implement such changes.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=6117

[mzmolly]

1. I see it as a beginning of the excuse process leading to Bush's next war.

:(

Vote Kerry 04!