Syrian ambassador welcomes U.S. engagement

A few observations about the visit of Syrian Ambassador Imad Moustapha to New London Thursday as the guest of the Southeast Connecticut Committee on Foreign Relations. Day Staff Writer Lee Howard covered his speech to the committee at Connecticut College. You can read Howard's story here.

Moustapha repeatedly made the point that Syria’s diplomatic relationship with the U.S. changed dramatically after President Obama took office. "The Obama administration sees us as part of the solution. The Bush administration saw us as the problem."

The "solution" he refers to is finding a way to end the longstanding hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians. There is no question any Middle East peace settlement must involve Syria, as well as Israel’s other neighbors, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. The latter two have signed peace agreements with the Jewish state.

Yet there is the danger of the pendulum swinging too far. The group Human Rights Watch reports that prior to the visit of U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns last month, Syrian security forces detained numerous human rights activists, journalists, and students who tried to exercise their rights to free expression and assembly.

While it was a mistake of the Bush administration to disengage from Syria, it would also be a mistake if the Obama administration sends the message that its only concern is external affairs, that is, Syria’s role in an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. A commitment by Syria to clean up its human rights record and take steps toward democracy must be part of any comprehensive solution to Middle East tensions.

Ambassador Moustapha included with his speech a slideshow about the rich history of Syria. He proudly noted that Damascus is 7,000 years old. Later, Jerry Fischer, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, asked about the prospects for Syria becoming a democratic state. Democracies, said Moustapha, take time to evolve.

Jeez, how much time do they need?

Another questioner asked about how the "Biblical Israel," the vow of a Promised Land for the Jewish people, would factor into the settlement of border disputes and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"God is not a real estate agent," replied the ambassador. "We live in a modern age and any negotiations will be based on internationally recognized borders … not bound by Biblical verse."

Amen to that. Diplomacy cannot depend on whose holy book is right.