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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Syrian President Seeks Dialogue to Improve Ties With US
2004-11-11
Syrian President Bashar Assad yesterday renewed his country's call for dialogue with the United States to improve strained relations. Assad spoke during a meeting with US Congressman Gary Ackerman, a Democrat from New York, Syria's official news agency, SANA, reported. SANA said the talks centered on the regional situation, including developments in Iraq and the occupied Palestinian territories, "as well as the Middle East peace process, terrorism and ways of combating it." The talks also dealt with strained Syrian-US relations, with Assad stressing the importance of dialogue "and the need to continue it for the benefit of the two countries." A press release issued by the American Cultural Center in Damascus said Ackerman's talks with Assad covered "a full range of topics relating to US-Syria relations and regional issues."
Posted by:Fred

#17  Knowing 4 more years of Bush is on the menu has sharpened his sense of self-preservation. Just imagine if K had been elected.

K: There'd be a summit

W: There are trembling hands.
Posted by: chicago mike   2004-11-11 2:41:30 PM  

#16  He definitely has a look that says "I'd rather be practicing opthamology." I agree with AP's assesment. Papa Assad left his family jewels in a vice.

I'd say he probably has a fairly realistic assessment of what's going on in Fallujah, not that he'd admit it.
Posted by: Dishman   2004-11-11 2:08:10 PM  

#15  "We're coming to take you away, ha ha, we're coming to take you away, ha ha, ho ho, hee hee,....."
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2004-11-11 1:51:37 PM  

#14  Scary, it's like maybe Delaware run wild.
Posted by: Shipman   2004-11-11 1:03:41 PM  

#13  I see he's got that Hitler moustache going too.
Posted by: Spot   2004-11-11 12:51:51 PM  

#12  1) cough up the WMDs
2) Shut the border with Iraq
3) Withdraw from Lebanon and quit supporting Hezbollah and Paleo terror groups

that's a start
Posted by: Frank G   2004-11-11 12:46:54 PM  

#11  HA! I knew Andy Kauffman wasn't dead!!!
Posted by: tu3031   2004-11-11 12:41:11 PM  

#10  He could become part of the solution if he were to make "sanctuary" even more difficult on the scurrying rats. If he coughed up some WMD that uncle Saddam stashed with him he could even pull himself out of US gunsites.
Posted by: Capsu78   2004-11-11 12:39:47 PM  

#9  Assad is just trying to cope. He serves as president at the pleasure of the goons and thugs, and terrorists around him. If he tries to purge them, he will be offed. If he plays the terrorist game, Israel and/or the US will smack him. Assad is weak and not really in charge, when it comes to power.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-11-11 10:50:20 AM  

#8  Of course he is worried -- look at that pitiful little mustache!
Posted by: trailing wife   2004-11-11 7:06:20 AM  

#7  what in the world is he always worried about?

The palace coup.
Posted by: Classical_Liberal   2004-11-11 1:44:52 AM  

#6  Ohh...has any one seen a photo of Baby Assad smile? He carries that draconian Hitler 'look' 24/7...what in the world is he always worried about?!!
Posted by: smn   2004-11-11 1:11:53 AM  

#5  Failing to come in from the cold and do a deal with Israel when Clinton was Prez is looking more and more like a life career limiting decision.
Posted by: phil_b   2004-11-11 12:37:11 AM  

#4  I'm sure the continuing images coming out of Fallujah (US Might) is "over casting a shadow" on his resolve, just as Kadafi 'saw the light' when Saddam was pulled out of that hole!
Posted by: smn   2004-11-11 12:21:12 AM  

#3  With Saddam in the clink, Syrian & Iranian terrorists being picked off like feas in Iraq & Yasser dead as a door nail, that only leaves, Dr. Assad, the Iranian Mullahs and a few top terrorists in al-Qa'ida. Bashar was educated in London and I don't think he favours hidding in caves. Can the Dr. be trusted? Of course not. Does the Dr. wish to remain alive. Yes.
Posted by: Mark Espinola   2004-11-11 12:15:31 AM  

#2  I guess that training as an Opthomologist did Baby Assad some good...

He can see things clearly...

Or - "Shit! That W. is gonna give me a healthy sized smart bomb right up my... "
Posted by: BigEd   2004-11-11 12:11:54 AM  

#1  Talk to the JDAM, dork.
Posted by: Laurence of the Rats   2004-11-11 12:04:04 AM  

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