Syrian Attitude

Today's attack on the US Embassy in Damascus, Syria, followed the fifth anniversary of the 11/9 attacks (as I insist on calling them). This event was marked in Syria by the staff of the US Embassy observing a minute's silence and taking part in a short ceremony. The Syrian public largely boycotted the event and the government of President Assad took no part in it. Perhaps one could not expect a mass outpouring of grief on the streets of Damascus, but to expect the participation of a representative of the government is surely not too much to ask?

This event just goes to show the attitude of the Syrian public towards America; they don't just dislike US foreign policy (as much of the world does), they dislike the superpower to the extent that they have no sympathy for the 2,800 people who died 5 years ago yesterday. And when you realise how much they hate America, multiply that several times to reach the extent to which they hate Israel. Although Syria funds Hezbollah partly to retain some influence in Lebanon, it is seen by the Syrian public as a way to attack its most hated neighbour, perhaps to destroy it one day.

The US Government (rightly, IMHO) withdrew their ambassador from Damascus some time ago. (The embassy is now run by staffers.) Perhaps this move was prescient, given today's attack, but its wider significance is that it represents the way in which America responds to those who violently disagree with their foreign policy: it refuses to engage with them. The attitude of the US Government seems to be, "Hey, there's this isolationist state whose government hates our foreign policy - let's further isolate them by cutting diplomatic ties! All those in favour..."

This tactic has been shunned by the two main Palestinian political parties, Fatah and Hamas. While I intensely dislike both of these groups (Fatah for their corruption, and the suffering this brought upon the Palestinian people, and Hamas for their murderous tendencies, to put it mildly), their recent statement of a wish to cooperate in a government of national unity is very promising. It could easily lead to a de facto recognition of Israel and, therefore, to renewed peace talks. PM Olmert has already agreed to hold talks with Chairman Abbas, although he is still refusing to talk to PM Haniyeh of Hamas. Perhaps this Palestinian coalition as a whole will constitute a "partner for peace", as the Israelis call those with whom they feel they can talk.

With this development, and the gradual deployment of UN forces in Lebanon, my optimism is growing by the day.