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US Democrat Pelosi in Syria talks US Democrat Pelosi in Syria talks
(about 2 hours later)
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a visit to Syria that has angered the White House. The US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has assured her in talks that he is ready to resume peace talks with Israel.
President George W Bush has said her visit undermines US foreign policy. In Damascus, Ms Pelosi also said she gave Mr Assad a similar message from Israeli PM Ehud Olmert.
Ms Pelosi brushed off criticism, saying dialogue with Syria was key to solving the Iraq and Lebanon crises. She also voiced concerns over Syria's alleged connections to Hamas and stressed Damascus' role in peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel.
A top Syrian official said he welcomed the visit as the start of a dialogue between the two countries but had no illusions about what it could achieve. Her visit angered President Bush, who said it undermined US foreign policy.
Ms Pelosi sat with President Assad for a photo opportunity at his palace overlooking Damascus before their meeting began. Mr Bush has said Ms Pelosi's trip to Syria sent "mixed signals" that undermined US-led efforts to isolate the Syrian president.
She met earlier with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem and Vice President Faruq al-Shara. Assad 'ready'
'Mixed signals' Speaking in Damascus after the talks, Ms Pelosi praised Mr Assad's attitude towards Israel.
Ms Pelosi has said she intended to push Syria on its suspected support for Iraqi insurgents and its backing of Islamist militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas. The meeting with the president enabled us to communicate a message from Prime Minister Olmert that Israel was ready to engage in peace talks as well Nancy PelosiUS House Speaker class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6525249.stm">Pelosi in Mideast press class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6107062.stm">Nancy Pelosi profile "We were very pleased with the assurances we received from the president that he was ready to resume the peace process," she said.
President Bush said Ms Pelosi's trip to Syria sent "mixed signals" that undermined US-led efforts to isolate the Syrian president. "He's ready to engage in negotiations for peace with Israel. The meeting with the president enabled us to communicate a message from Prime Minister Olmert that Israel was ready to engage in peace talks as well"
We think if we achieve the comprehensive and just peace there will be no more justification for the existence of armed groups in the region Fayssal MekdadSyrian deputy foreign minister class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6107062.stm">Nancy Pelosi profile She said that she and other members of her congressional delegation raised concerns about Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah.
The Republican Bush administration has boycotted Syria since the 2005 murder of Lebanon's former PM Rafik Hariri. Syria's own relationship with the militant Islamist groups was also discussed, she said, as well as the issue of fighters illegally entering Iraq from Syria.
"Photo opportunities and/or meetings with President Assad lead the Assad government to believe they're part of the mainstream of the international community, when, in fact, they're a state sponsor of terror," Mr Bush said. Earlier, Ms Pelosi met Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem and Vice President Faruq al-Shara.
Ms Pelosi's office has said that it is worth engaging with "every country that has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq". 'Chaotic Iraq'
The bipartisan Iraq Study Group recommended last year that the US should begin direct talks about Iraq with both Iran and Syria - something the White House has rejected.
The visit also has a domestic purpose for Ms Pelosi, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington, by showing the Democrats' clear difference with the White House
It causes problems for Mr Bush, our correspondent says, because the Democrats are showing clear differences with the White House, not just over isolating Iran and Syria but also over the conduct of the war in Iraq.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives - controlled since November by the Democrats - have recently passed bills setting deadlines for a military withdrawal from Iraq.
'Wrong policies'
Ms Pelosi is reported to be the highest-ranking US politician to visit Syria since bilateral relations deteriorated in 2003, when the US invaded neighbouring Iraq.Ms Pelosi is reported to be the highest-ranking US politician to visit Syria since bilateral relations deteriorated in 2003, when the US invaded neighbouring Iraq.
The US and the European Union have criticised Syria's regional policies and its support for militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian movement Hamas. Speaking on Tuesday Mr Bush was sharply critical of her visit, describing Syria as a "state sponsor of terror", and not part of the mainstream of the international community.
But Syria's deputy foreign minister said it was US policy in the region that fostered these groups. HAVE YOUR SAY Even if you disagree with Bush's policies, Speaker Pelosi is over-stepping her authority Richard, Leeds class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5956&edition=1&ttl=20070404115127">Send us your comments Ms Pelosi's office has said that it is worth engaging with "every country that has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq".
"The mere presence of such forces is a reflection of the wrong policies of the United States," Fayssal Mekdad told the BBC's Kim Ghattas. The bipartisan Iraq Study Group recommended last year that the US should begin direct talks about Iraq with both Iran and Syria - something the White House has rejected.
He welcomed Ms Pelosi's visit, saying "true dialogue is the only way for solving the very grave problems in the region." The visit also has a domestic purpose for Ms Pelosi, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington, by showing the Democrats' clear difference with the White House over whether to engage with Syria and Iran.
But he added a note of caution. The Bush administration has boycotted Syria since the 2005 murder of Lebanon's former PM Rafik Hariri.
"We have no illusions that in a first visit of this type with such an administration in the United States we can reach the expected results".
A UN investigation has implicated Syrian officials in the killing of Mr Hariri, despite a strong denial from Damascus.A UN investigation has implicated Syrian officials in the killing of Mr Hariri, despite a strong denial from Damascus.
Ms Pelosi has already held talks in Israel, and correspondents say she is expected to transmit Israel's views on the long-stalled Syria-Israel peace track. In the past, Israel has tied peace talks with Syria on Damascus ending support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and hard-line Palestinian groups.
Syria demands the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel in 1967. For its part, Syria has demanded the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel in 1967.