Syria seeks to downplay US accusations

Syria today insisted it is engaged in quiet, constructive diplomacy with the United States.

Washington has accused officials in Damascus of sheltering members of the toppled Iraqi regime and of harbouring chemical weapons.

“Things are not so bad. I don’t think the (US) statements are that negative the way the media tries to present them and I think the diplomatic channels are much quieter and much more constructive,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Bouthayna Shaaban said.

“I really take all these statements with a positive tinge to them. The objective is to engage and talk about issues rather than to threaten,” she said in Damascus.

Senior US officials, including President Bush, have accused Syria of providing Iraq with war material, giving haven to senior Iraqi officials and letting Syrian fighters join the war against the Allies.

The tough comments sparked fears that Syria could be the next target for the US-led coalition that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Yesterday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell toned down the administration’s rhetoric.

“There is no war plan to go and attack someone else, either for the purpose of overthrowing their leadership or for the purpose of imposing democratic values,” he said, although he did reiterate the accusations against Syria.

Other US officials said Syria had been helpful quietly in the war against the al-Qaida terror network – and there was no evidence that help was abating.

Shaaban said today that Syria was willing to co-operate with anyone as long as that “served the Iraqi people’s interests and the Arab people’s interests”.

“In the future as in the past, every action that Syria will take will be motivated by interest for the Iraqi people and Syria’s concern for the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq,” she added.

Shaaban reiterated Syrian denials that it gave safe haven to senior Iraqi and Baath party officials, saying all such charges were initiated in Israel and were “absolutely groundless”.

“The Syrian-Iraqi borders are closed except for medical help ... this is the decision of the Syrian government,” she said.

She also said Syria does not aim to acquire chemical weapons and that it plans to introduce a draft UN resolution on behalf of the UN’s 22-nation Arab Group declaring the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction.

Syria is the only Arab nation on the Security Council.

Shaaban said Saddam’s former Iraqi regime and the Syrian government ”simply cannot be compared,” adding it was a pity the American people could not see the “striking” differences.

“Syria, for the last 30 years has been a very constructive and active member in the international community. It is an extremely different system and leadership that makes Syria a positive player both in the regional and the international arena,” she said.

“Syria has always committed itself and adhered to international law and legitimacy,” she added.