US lawmaker visits to Syria unhelpful-White House

[cal04]

The White House sought on Thursday to head off further visits to Syria by U.S. lawmakers, saying such trips undermine President George W. Bush's message that Damascus must stop meddling in Iraq and Lebanon.

A Democratic senator who met this week with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the administration should explore what he said was an opening for dialogue.

But White House spokesman Tony Snow brushed aside the advice from Florida Sen. Bill Nelson and said meetings like his offer a public-relations win to Syria's leaders.

(snip)
Other senators are also expected to go to Syria in the next few weeks, including Democrats Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and John Kerry of Massachusetts.


http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N14334197.htm

[neoblues]

1. A problem--especially if the Congressman is a...

Democrat.

[Monkeyman]

2. Yep White House does not want a talk to happen