Reuters: Iraq's Talabani calls for Syria-U.S. talks

[Eugene]

Iraq's Talabani calls for Syria-U.S. talks

Reuters
Sunday, January 21, 2007; 3:54 PM

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said in remarks aired on Sunday
he will push for dialogue between the United States and neighboring Syria, which
he said was helping Baghdad clamp down on terrorism.

Talabani, who paid a landmark visit to Syria earlier this month, said he had not
received any request to mediate between Damascus and Washington from either
nation.

-snip-

"Syria wants ... stability in Iraq and is backing us in fighting terrorism. There
is no justification for a stern (U.S.) stance on Syria," said Talabani, who lived
in Syria in exile in the 1970s.

"It would be more appropriate for the United States to have a dialogue with Syria,"
Talabani said when asked what would be his advice to President Bush, who had
rejected direct talks with Syria and Iran, ignoring a recommendation by the bipartisan
Iraq Study Group.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/21/AR2007012100579.html

Also: Syria vows to help stabilise Iraq, condemns rebels - Reuters

[babylonsister]

1. How ironic if Iraq 'forced' dimson & co. into trying diplomacy.What a concept! nt