Summons of Syrian ambassador by State Department made no mention of N-weapon at issue Feb. 25

Missoula, Feb. 27 (Al-Masakin)–Acting U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters at the daily press briefing this morning that the meeting between Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Syrian Ambassador Imad Mustafa Feb. 26 was “a very frank discussion” and that Ambassador Feltman pointed out “a number of concerns that the United States has about Syrian behavior and activities,” which, alluding to Syria’s support for Palestinian resistance groups, included “terrorist organizations,” Syria not being “good neighbor to Iraq,” and Syria’s alleged interference in the internal affairs in Lebanon. 

The United States does not distinguish between Palestinian groups resisting Israeli occupation and terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda.

He made no reference to “Syria’s acquisition of nuclear and non-conventional weaponry” as he had on a return to a question taken to the Secretary of State Feb. 25.

For his part, the Syrian Ambassador told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) “The meeting was constructive… it was characterised by a mutual respect, the discussions mainly concentrated on finding solutions, not registering stances…both sides agreed to hold other meetings to continue dialogue on different raised issues.”   

Senators John Kerry and Howard Berman visted Syria Feb. 21 in an effort to boost dialogue between Damascus and Washington.

EHC / EHC

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