March 30, 2004

Jordan Times

Listening to Reason

Editorial

The decision of US President George Bush to hold off applying sanctions against Syria could suggest that differences between the two sides are reconcilable. The US administration's second thoughts may have been induced by the globally condemned Israeli killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin last week. Better still, they may have been instigated by warnings from its Middle East envoys that sanctions on Syria could provoke a tougher position from Damascus. Whatever the reason, maybe Washington is listening to reason.

Syria is a very important country in the Middle East, and critical to the success of the peace process in the area. It is also pivotal to the restoration of peace and security in Iraq. The divide between Washington and Damascus is not so wide that it cannot be bridged with goodwill and statesmanship.

Regional security requires Syria's full and active participation, and any effort to erase all friction between Washington and Damascus would serve the broad cause of peace in the Middle East.

It is also encouraging to note that Damascus has repeatedly indicated its willingness to establish good and friendly relations with the US. This is where other Arab countries that enjoy friendly relations with the US can play a role in normalising relations between the two countries as soon as possible. Only yesterday, talks between Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Syria's chargÈ d'affaires in Canberra, ahead of the opening of a Syrian embassy there, centred on how Damascus could shirk its rogue image and be welcomed back into the international fold.

It has been said that while no war in the region can be conducted without Egypt, no peace on a regional basis can ever be attained without Syria. The Syrian government is on record as favouring the reestablishment of law and order in Iraq. It is also on record as seeking peace with Israel on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. It is also on record as seeking a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. On Lebanon, Damascus is on record as willing to withdraw its forces as soon as stability is restored to the country.

So isn't it time to talk with Syria rather than at Syria?