ARAB AFFAIRS - Nov 21 - Iraq And Syria Agree To Restore Relations.

Syria and Iraq announces the formal restoration of diplomatic ties, nearly a quarter of a century after they were suspended. The move comes as the US and other western powers are exploring the option of enlisting Syrian and Iranian help in stabilising Iraq. But there are no signs yet that Damascus is preparing to change its policies on the ground in Iraq, where it has been accused of supporting the insurgency. Syria's FM Walid Moalem, at a press conference in Baghdad with his Iraqi colleague, Hoshair Zebari, said that Syria now hoped to turn a new page in its relations with the US. "I do not want to go back to the former accusations. We seek future co-operation in all fields", he said. Syria has invited Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, to Damascus. The restoration of ties was welcomed by Kofi Annan, the UN Sec Gen, as well as by the Arab League. The US administration also expressed cautious approval. "We've always encouraged Iraq's neighbours to take a role in supporting and assisting the unity government in Iraq", said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House's national security council. But he added that "one of the first steps Syria could take was to strengthen its border with Iraq and stop the flow of foreign fighters into that country". In Damascus, some officials said that this was unlikely to be the case, at least for now. "Syria is waiting for an incentive", said Samer Ladkani, of the Al-Sharq think-tank which has close ties to the government. He cautioned that "there may be just diplomatic ties without any results on the ground". News of the restoration of ties with Iraq was greeted with indifference by many Syrians. They did not expect a change in Iraq as long as US troops remained. Syria is seeking a "package deal" with the US that would see its demands in the region met, said analysts and diplomats in Damascus. These are said to include a US withdrawal from Iraq; a restoration of Syrian influence in Lebanon and a halt to the UN investigation into the murder of Rafiq Hariri; the complete return of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the establishment of a Palestinian state; and a general recognition of Syria's status as a regional power. The Syrian government considers itself to be in a position of strength after Hizbullah's "victory" against Israel in Lebanon in the summer. Some in the leadership are said to credit Syrian support for the insurgency in Iraq with what they see as the defeat of Pres Bush in the recent mid-term elections in the US, when the Democrats wrested control of Congress from the Republican party.