U.S. Relations With Syria Icy

Relationship On Downward Slide, Reduced To 'Diplomatic Contact'

(AP) 
The spokesman said the administration wanted Syria to stop supporting groups that were violently opposed to peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians. And, he said, "we want them to stop allowing their territory to be used by those who are violently against the attempt by the Iraqi people to form their new government."

A senior U.S. official, speaking only on condition of anonymity, said Syria had acknowledged the presence of only one of 30 Iraqi Baathists believed to be in the country.

In the past, Boucher said, Syria sometimes cooperated with the United States on the al Qaeda terror network and "there were a few things they did with regard to the border" with Iraq.

But now, he said, Syria no longer was cooperating in practical terms.

Boucher said the Bush administration also was concerned about reports that Syrian security forces had arrested all eight members of the country"s only active political forum.

"Syria should be moving more in step with the rest of the region, moving more toward an open society and making the kind of changes its citizens want," Boucher said.