London taps Damascus for peace by Khaleej Times editorial

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On the Arab-Israeli Conflict

London taps Damascus for peace

by Khaleej Times editorial

27 November 2008

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DUBAI - At least Britain seems to have realised that the road to peace in the Middle East goes through Damascus. Thus the visit of British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to Syria is a welcome initiative. It has generated a wave of euphoria and optimism as the countries have vowed to work for peace in the region.

Miliband’s epoch-making visit to Damascus comes on the heels of talks in London with his Syrian counterpart, Walid al-Moualem. It is the latest in a series of overtures between Syria and European nations, particularly France and Britain, seeking an end to the Arab country’s strained relations with the West due to its support for Iran, and the alleged interference in Lebanon.

Thankfully, the diplomatic gestures from the West are not perfunctory in nature. A host of diplomatic moves on the part of Syria has won it the needed space in asserting its sincerity for peace in the region. They include secret talks with Israel with the help of Turkey; restoration of diplomatic relations with Lebanon after years of tension and acrimony; opening up of a mission in Baghdad; and learning to strike a balance in relations with Iran and the West.

To begin with, Britain and Syria have agreed on a confidence building exercise in sharing data on counter-terrorism measures and removing Damascus from the list of usual suspects. Similarly, it is a welcome gesture that Miliband has promised to further the European Union’s anti-settlement initiative in the Palestinian territories. It will help bring some respite to the Palestinians reeling under Israeli occupation.

Let’s hope the Miliband visit and the Western overtures to Syria will lead to the new administration of President Barack Obama taking steps to resolve the dispute of Palestine and Arab lands under Israeli occupation.

Coaxing Syria back into the international fold will have dividends of its own. The country boasts a couple of undeniable credentials: its influence over Hezbollah and Palestinian groups, and the strategic axis of being the only Arab ally of Iran.

Thus any meaningful understanding between Damascus and the West will go a long way in walking the walk of bringing peace to the world’s most turbulent region.

London’s rapprochement with Damascus can be a prelude to permanent peace in the region. But as President Bashar al-Assad says, it should be accompanied by an ‘honest-realisation’ on the part of Israel that it cannot achieve peace without recognising and accepting the rights of Palestinians and others in the region. Washington needs to emulate London in embracing Damascus for a renewed strategic opening in the Arab world.

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* This article is distributed by the Common Ground News Service (CGNews) with permission from Khaleej Times.

Source: Khaleej Times, 23 November 2008, www.khaleejtimes.com
Copyright permission is granted for publication.


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