Syrian Editorial Welcomes US Speaker Pelosi Visit

Text of report by Syrian newspaper Tishrin website on 2 April

[Editorial by Izz-al-Din al-Darwish: "Behind the News ... And Pelosi to Damascus"]

US legislators from both the Republican and Democratic parties realize that there is disorder in the US policy towards the region. They also realize that they have to work to redress this disorder, beginning with the mistakes of the war on Iraq and relations with Syria and ending with US foreign policy in general.

In this context come the visits to Syria by US parliamentary delegations from the Republican and Democratic parties. These visits will reach their highest point tomorrow with US House of Representatives Speaker Ms Nancy Pelosi’s visit at the head of a large delegation consisting of seven deputies and 21 officials.

Ms Pelosi comes to Damascus having a large number of facts collected by previous delegations on the true Syrian constructive role in dealing with the issues of the region. This role was accurately sensed yesterday by US Republican deputies who came to Damascus before her – Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts, and Robert Aderholt. They held useful talks with Syrian officials, led by President Bashar al-Asad.

Ms Pelosi surely heard about the conclusions reached by the three US deputies in Damascus in the past two days and the conclusions reached by other deputies who visited Damascus before them. These conclusions prompted her to make this visit, which is welcomed by Syria.

Everyone both in and outside the United States knows that Syria is open to dialogue with Americans in the administration, Congress, and other institutions. Syria is interested in listening to the Americans’ views and also interested in ensuring that they know its true stands.

People can remove a lot of misunderstanding and learn about policies through dialogue and discussion. If we talk about Syria, its policy has always been based on respect for international laws, resolutions, and charters and on the work to establish a just peace, security, and stability in the region.

Syria is known at the world level for being committed to international legitimacy. It does not need to present evidence in this respect, and the Americans know this fact well. Syria asserted to them many times that it is interested in working with the neighbouring states to help Iraq overcome its tragedies, proceeding from the fact that Iraq is a fraternal country and a neighbour.

Syria also asserted to the Americans that it is interested in re- launching the peace process and achieving peace, security, and stability in the region in accordance with the Arab peace initiative and on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

That is Syria before, during, and after the visits by Ms Pelosi and other US officials: Inclination towards constructive dialogue, efforts to achieve peace, security, and stability, and adherence to international charters.

Ms Pelosi, welcome to Damascus, and there is great hope that balance will be restored to the US policy in the region.

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring Middle East. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.