US senator hopeful for Syria-Israel peace treaty

US Senator Arlen Specter told reporters on Wednesday that he hopes for an eventual Syria-Israel peace treaty despite the suspension of indirect negotiations between the two foes. Specter said that he was optimistic because Syria was much more interested "today than it was 20 years ago" to achieve peace with Israel. The Republican senator from Pennsylvania spoke to The Associated Press after wrapping up a two-day visit to Syria. In Damascus, he met with President Bashar Assad.