Kerry: Syrian Leader Wants to Assist in Iraq (Assad Gives Communique to Jean Francois)

Boston Globe ^ | 12/21/06 | Rick Klein

[meg88]

Senator John F. Kerry said Wednesday that President Bashar Assad of Syria expressed a willingness to work with the United States to bring stability to Iraq, and said Assad personally offered assistance that Kerry plans to convey to the Bush administration.

Kerry -- who visited Syria along with Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, despite the administration's opposition to the trip -- said the meeting with Assad reinforced the need to follow the Iraq Study Group's recommendation that the US government directly engage Syria and Iran to find a way forward in Iraq.

"He offered some very direct and concrete ways in which they could be helpful in Iraq," Kerry said in an interview conducted by telephone from Damascus. "I came away with a distinct feeling that there are opportunities here. There are fronts in which we can work together if people are inclined to."

The Massachusetts Democrat said he would not publicly discuss the substance of his talks with Assad until he has fully briefed State Department officials about his visit.

But Kerry reiterated his position that President Bush is wrong to rule out direct talks with Syria and Iran. He added that he is interested in visiting Iran as well at an "appropriate time" that's well-removed from the country's recent conference for Holocaust deniers, which Kerry labeled "absurd and insulting."

State Department officials sought to dissuade Kerry, Dodd, and Nelson from going to Syria, though they helped set up logistics of the visits when the lawmakers insisted on making their trips.

Last week, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow blasted the visits as "not appropriate," saying that such meetings hand the Syrian government "a PR victory" by allowing officials to showcase what they portray as improved relations with the West.

[bushfamfan]

And to think of all the honorable men and women of our past who have loved their country and made it the world's greatest democracy to see it come down in such a way. This jerk is a US Senator and from the state that was instrumental in our independence. The Demonrats want to turn us over to the UN and destroy us with their open encouragement to our enemies. Such are the times. What is left to fight for when we are getting this bad?