On Sept. 29, Assistant Secretary of State David Welch met Mualem for a
detailed discussion of a reconciliation. Officials said Welch raised several
options for an improvement in relations over the next few weeks.
"The two reviewed Syrian policy, particularly its role in Iraq,
relations with Iran and Lebanon," another official said. "The discussion was
comprehensive."
So far, the State Department has not acknowledged a reassessment of U.S.
relations with Syria. On Oct. 6, State Department spokesman Robert Wood
warned Syria against a military buildup along the Lebanese border in wake of
a car bombing in Damascus on Sept. 27.
"The recent terrorist attacks that took place in Tripoli [Lebanon] and
Damascus should not serve as a pretext for, you know, further Syrian
military engagement or, should not be used to interfere in Lebanese internal
affairs," Wood said. "The Syrian government is well aware of our views with
regard to any kind of military activity along the border."
Officials said Ms. Rice has been closely following the unrest within the
Assad regime. Two senior Syrian officers, including Assad's military
adviser, were assassinated in attacks believed to have stemmed from a
neighboring Arab state.
"We are detecting increasing willingness by Assad to come to a deal,"
the official said.
Josh Landis, a leading U.S. analyst on Syria, said the Defense
Department, State Department and U.S. intelligence community have long urged
the administration to reassess policy toward Syria. But Landis said he
doubted whether President George Bush would significantly improve U.S.
relations with Damascus.
"The stories on the U.S. being on the verge of lifting sanctions on
Syria, seem too good to be true," Landis said. "I doubt any action will be
taken to improve relations with Syria so long as President Bush sits in the
White House."
