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Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121219416678734449.html
Syria Seeks U.S. Role in Talks
[Wall Street Journal] Jay Solomon - As Syria and Israel begin pursuing peace negotiations, Damascus is calling for the U.S. to play a direct role in brokering the talks, arguing that a successful outcome is unlikely without American participation. In an interview, Syria's ambassador to Washington, Imad Moustapha, said Damascus believes the U.S. is the only country that could realistically deliver a peace deal between the two countries. U.S. officials say the Bush administration is placing a priority on supporting Palestinian-Israeli peace talks in a bid to reach a comprehensive agreement before President Bush leaves office in January. They say they see the Israel-Syria track as too undeveloped to embrace aggressively. State Department officials say none of the parties has formally requested the U.S. to become directly involved. "If Syria and Israel jointly came to us, we'd certainly consider their request," State Department spokesman Tom Casey said. Some U.S. strategists say Syria's openness to talks is driven by its need to reduce diplomatic and financial pressure from the Bush administration - not a real commitment to a settlement. Washington charges Syria with covertly developing nuclear technologies and undermining pro-Western governments in Lebanon and Iraq. Private American representatives who have met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in recent months said he is intent on lifting U.S. financial sanctions.