Iraq's Talabani visits Assad seeking closer ties

[cal04]

President Jalal Talabani, on the first trip to Syria by an Iraqi head of state for 30 years, met President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday during a visit expected to focus on stabilising Iraq and preventing insurgents crossing their long border.

Talabani, who lived in exile in Syria in the 1970s, wants to use his six-day trip to discuss ways to stem the violence in Iraq and stop what the United States says is a flow of men and arms across the border to help the insurgency in Iraq.

The two neighbours restored diplomatic relations only last month after a breach in the 1980s when Syria, alone in the Arab world, sided with Tehran during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

"We hope this will be a successful visit. We have a desire to develop ties in all fields," Assad told Talabani when they met at a hilltop palace overlooking the Syrian capital.



http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L14373440.htm

[MADem]

1. It wouldn't surprise me if Assad is delivering messages from the House of Saud NT

[rodeodance]

2. Iraq president on landmark Syria visit by Roueida Mabardi

Iraq president on landmark Syria visit by Roueida Mabardi
36 minutes ago



DAMASCUS (AFP) - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani arrived in Syria on the first such high-level visit in three decades to a country accused by the United States of fueling the violence in his homeland.

"We are determined to establish better relations between the two countries," he told reporters at the presidential place as he went into talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.

Talabani's trip, his first since Baghdad and Damascus restored diplomatic ties in November ending a 26-year rupture, comes just days after US President George W. Bush vowed to take tough action against alleged meddling in Iraq by both Syria and its main regional ally Iran.

It also coincides with a Middle East tour by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is seeking to shore up Arab support for Bush's new strategy in the war-ravaged nation.

Assad vowed his support for reconciliation and stability in Iraq, the SANA news agency said following the talks.

"Syria is ready to help the Iraqis achieve national reconciliation as well as unity, safety and stability for Iraq," Assad was quoted as saying.
..........
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/iraqsyriadiplomacy

[rodeodance]

3. specter, kerry dodd others have been there, yet Bush will not

talk with them.

[daleo]

4. The religious makeup of Syria

Syria Syria Arab Republic Sunni 74; Other Muslim 16; Christian 10

http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_coun2.htm