Syria, U.S. held side talks on improved ties, terrorism

WASHINGTON -- Syria and the United States held quiet military talks to discuss an improvement of relations including the prospect of U.S. aid to Damascus.

U.S. officials said the talks were held last week on the sidelines of Israeli-Syrian negotiations in Sheperdstown, West Virginia. They said the talks included military officials from the United States and Syria.

The negotiations focused on ways to improve relations between Washington and Damascus as the latter appears to be moving closer to a treaty with Israel. A key issue, the sources said, was how to remove Syria from the State Department list of terrorist sponsors.

"There has been an opportunity to talk more, to understand each other better," State Department spokesman James Rubin said.

U.S. officials said Washington will be unable to provide economic or military aid to Syria unless Damascus is removed from the list of terrorist nations. Moreover, most hi-tech items would also be banned.

The officials said Syria would have to expel or severely limit Palestinian and Kurdish insurgents in Syria and stop attacks on Israel by the Iranian-backed Hizbullah guerrilla. The United States also wants Damascus to cool relations with Iran, the leading ally of Damascus.

Over the next few weeks, U.S. officials said, several congressional delegations are expected to visit Syria. Several key members of Congress said they would oppose any removal of Syria from the State Department terror list even if it signs a peace treaty with Israel -- unless Damascus cracks down on terrorism.