In what may be a sign that the recent hardline American position towards Syria is softening, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem met with US Secretary of State Condeleezza Rice last week, and with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch on Monday to discuss various issues concerning the region, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.
Photo: AP [file]
According to the report, Rice and Moallem held brief talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Moallem then had a more detailed meeting with Welch a few days later.
"[Rice] expressed her satisfaction with the situation moving forward in Lebanon, also about the indirect talks between Syria and Israel," the Syrian foreign minister told the paper in an interview on Monday. "She said they support these talks and they are ready to assist.
"I consider this a good progress in the American position," he added. "We agreed to continue this dialogue."
However, a State Department official downplayed the meetings, telling the paper that they did not represent a shift in American policy, but were rather an opportunity for the United States to share its grievances with Syria over its human rights violations and its ties with Hizbullah and Iran, as well to voice concern over other issues.
"The international community still awaits a credible demonstration of Syria's willingness to renounce their sponsorship of terrorism," the Wall Street Journal quoted the official as saying.
Later in his interview, Moallem went into more detail about Syria's position on the indirect negotiations with Israel, and on how such talks would affect the close relationship Damascus has with Teheran.
"We had four rounds of talks, promising talks, in Istanbul. We agreed to have the fifth round... But because of the situation in Israel, the Israeli side asked the Turks to postpone it," he said. "We are waiting to see what the position will be of Ms. Livni's government."
"So are they ready to resume or not?" the Syrian foreign minister asked. "The most important thing is not to continue or not. But to have the will, the political will, to achieve peace based on the Madrid terms of reference and land-for-peace."
"Peace between Israel and Syria is part of a comprehensive peace involving the Lebanese, the Palestinians, and Israel also," Moallem said. "If we reach this point, it will have strategic implications for the entire Middle East. Whether we accept it or not, Iran is an important player in the region. And Iran always supported Syria's right to liberate the Golan Heights and the Palestinian people's rights."
"If we achieve this through peaceful means, I don't see the Iranians opposed," he concluded.
In recent months, news of indirect peace talks between Jerusalem and Damascus has facilitated a break in the isolation which the international community imposed on Syria over the past few years. Among those world leaders to reach out to Syria was French President Nicholas Sarkozy, who visited the country last month.
