John Kerry played a key role in breaking the logjam between Syria and the US

[karynnj]

The long-stalled U.S. diplomatic engagement with Syria is moving forward -- thanks to an unusual bit of mediation by Sen. John Kerry.

<snip>

Kerry reportedly played a key role in breaking the logjam between the two countries, which had worsened after the Obama administration announced last month that it was renewing sanctions against Damascus under the Syria Accountability Act. The Syrians had been expecting that move, but they were upset by a presidential statement accompanying the renewal, which repeated harsh Bush administration language that said Syria posed an “unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.” The Syrians said that unless this sharp language was withdrawn and the bilateral relationship improved, they wouldn’t provide the security assistance that Centcom wanted.
<snip>
According to Syrian diplomatic sources, Kerry and Syrian President Bashar Assad have been developing a relationship of “respect and friendship,” including a long private dinner between the two men and their wives at the Narenj restaurant in the old city of Damascus when Kerry was there in March.
<snip>
Kerry’s role in all this is intriguing for two reasons: First, it shows that the former Democratic presidential candidate is carving out a role for himself as a foreign-policy player -- courageously taking on issues that are sensitive in political and policy terms. Second, it shows a fluid and creative foreign-policy process in the Obama administration, in which people outside the White House inner circle are able to get the president’s attention and push the envelope.

That last paragraph says it all - both in terms of Kerry's role and Obama's willingness to listen to him. It is interesting that Teresa has accompanied him on that Middle Eastern trip, even to Gaza and Syria, the Pakistan/Sudan trip and the China trip.

(I found this because it was picked up by the Project on the Middle East Democracy -which google picked up.)

David Ignatius reports on a hopeful renewal of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Syria, crediting Senator John Kerry with easing the diplomatic impasse that followed the renewal of U.S. sanctions on Syria. Since Kerry’s visit to Damascus in March, he and President Bashar al-Assad have developed a correspondence to explore avenues for improving U.S.-Syrian relations.

This dialogue culminated in a call between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem last Sunday. They discussed a visit by the U.S. Central Command to Syria to discuss cooperation in stabilizing Iraq and the plans for a “road map” to friendship and formal relations. This development comes at an important moment in recognizing Syria as a power broker and ally in the peace process.

<snip>

http://pomed.org/blog/2009/06/john-kerry-the-new-lion-of-damascus.html/

(I posted the WP article here - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8447790 )

[Inuca]

1. This is EXTREMELY interesting and hopeful n/t

[MBS]

2. very, very nice

Thanks so much for posting this. Nice to see this recognition, praising JK (and Obama administration) for who he really is, and what he really does.And just to see news about good things happening is good in itself.

[beachmom]

3. CNN: U.S. to send ambassador back to Syria

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/23/US.syria.ambassador/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama has decided to send a U.S. ambassador back to Syria, a dramatic sign of reconciliation between the two countries, senior administration officials tell CNN. The announcement is expected to be made this week.

"It's in our interests to have an ambassador in Syria, a senior administration official told CNN Tuesday night. "We have been having more and more discussions, and we need to have someone there to engage."

The official said that the decision was not in any way related to the election crisis in Iran, although the Obama administration has maintained engaging the Syrian regime could weaken Syria's strategic alliance with Iran.

John Kerry does not get any credit, but that is to be expected, as it is a bit unusual to have the SFRC Chairman credited for work done by the executive branch.

Here is the original link to David Ignatius's column (and thank you for catching this, Karynnj):

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2009/06/_the_long-stalled_us_diplomati.html

[karynnj]

4. It looks like the Syrian paper covered the Ignatius article - so at least Syrian know the role he

played.

This really is good news. It has to be better to have someone there than to not have someone there - and Kerry and everyone in the administration knows. I suspect that most of the foreign policy experts and pundits know as well, because I assume they know more than we do.

(Not to mention I am childish enough to be happy that Kerry has this breakthrough, the Sudan breakthroughs and the breakthrough at Bali are 3 important, significant foreign policy achievements - all done without the titles and positions that typically have these achievements - while so far the closest to an achievement HRC's strongest supporters have claimed is wording favoring democracy when Cuba was let into the OAS. Whether the media covers it or not, Obama and HRC both know this. Yeah - I did asy childish.)