Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk A-Shara told a Kuwaiti newspaper Sunday that Syrian-American ties were at their lowest because of Washington's blind support of Israel.
"The Syrian Accountability Act is a violation of international law and was passed under Israeli pressure," Shara said.
However, he reiterated the Syrian stance which states the best way to solve its problems with the U.S. was through dialogue. "We didn't want (ties with Washington) to reach a deadlock, but nevertheless Syria sees no alternative for dialogue, and we declared this stance in the latest Arab summit in Tunis."
Meanwhile, Shara said Damascus was interested in renewing peace talks with Israel. The interview with Kuwait's Al Qabas was granted ahead of Syrian President Bashar Assad's arrival in Kuwait Sunday for an official visit.
"We would like to renew negotiations from the point at which they were stopped," Shara was quoted as saying.
"However, the question remains whether [Israeli prime minister Ariel] Sharon's government is interested, or whether it wants more aggression and killing," Shara added.
Shara's statements followed a similar statement by the Syrian president last week. At the end of a visit in Spain, Assad said, "We in Syria are certainly interested in a comprehensive peace process, but you can all see what is happening in Israel. Palestinian civilians are being systematically killed."
In the meantime, Shara also denied claims that Syrian relations with Egypt have deteriorated of late, following the recent Arab League summit in Tunisia.
"As distant as Egypt may be, it will always be close to Syria," Shara made clear and added that "at the base of our relations is mutual respect, despite all the disappointments and damages of the past." (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
