Syria shows openness to US relations

Syria seeks to resume full diplomatic relations with the White House, saying the Obama administration has made a positive impression. 

In an interview with The Guardian, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad touched on a recent Damascus visit of a high-ranking US congressional delegation as "important" and as a "good gesture" but hoped that Washington would send an ambassador to cement ties. 

"We have the impression that this administration will be different and we have seen the signals. But we have to wait for the reality and the results," he added. 

A delegation of US senators headed by Benjamin Cardin, a member of the foreign relations committee, arrived in Damascus on Tuesday for talks with President Bashar al-Assad on Syria-US relations and the Middle East peace process. 

Referring to the peace talks, al-Assad said Syria has adopted a pivotal position on the issue, saying, "We are a player in the region. If you want to talk about peace, you cannot advance without us." 

On efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, al-Assad expressed hope that Washington would act as the "main arbiter," saying, "There is no substitute for the United States." 

He also promised to welcome a visit to Damascus by General David Petraeus, head of the US Central Command, to discuss cooperation on Iraq and other issues. "We would like to have dialogue with the US administration. We would like to see (Petraeus) here in Syria," he said. 

The Bush administration withdrew its Damascus ambassador after the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri, accusing Syria of plotting the assassination. Syria has denied charges of involvement. 

Another bone of contention for the two countries is the October bombing of a Syrian village near the Iraqi border by the US Air Force. The operation killed eight civilians, including four children. 

Following the incident, Syria summoned the US and Iraqi envoys to the country in protest at the attack. Syria also closed a Damascus-based American school and a US culture center in response to the operation.