DAMASCUS, Syria, May 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell Saturday called on Syria to "review the strategic context" of discussions about Iraq and the "road map" which he said is part of a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters shortly before he started a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, Powell said the talks were to focus on weapons of mass destruction, sealing the border with Iraq and Damascus-based Palestinian hard-line organizations "that have rejectionist agendas."
He noted that since his visit last year to Syria, major changes have taken place in the region, including "an entirely new situation in Iraq, a new significant element with the appointment of Abu Mazen as (Palestinian) Prime Minister and the presentation of the road map."
"There are two dynamics at work," Powell said. "A new opportunity of the people of Iraq to build their country on democratic foundations and an opportunity to move forward with the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians."
He said although the "road map" relates principally to the Palestinians and Israel, he will inform Assad that "the U.S. sees it as part of a comprehensive settlement that must be achieved and that must include Syria and Lebanon."
Powell said he was looking to listen to "Assad and his analysis" and expressed hope that both countries will "work more closely to bring peace to this part of the world and enhance relations."
But he emphasized the need for Syria to start having a different approach and called for changing "the strategic context in which we are discussing these issues."
"I am here to pursue diplomacy. The word hostilities is not on the table," Powell said in a softened tone. He dismissed as "mischaracterization" that Syria was on the U.S. list of nations that Washington was ready to attack after Iraq.
He however underlined the U.S. "serious concern about some of the actions taken by Syria in course of Iraq's frame" and said "we talked seriously" about "political, economic, diplomatic and military options."
Powell said U.S. goal remains to bring in a Palestinian state and to make sure that the Syrian and Lebanese tracks are not neglected "even if they are not touched in details in the road map."
"May be they (Syrian-Lebanese tracks) are not moved at the same time and at the same rate as the Palestinian-Israeli track but we are interested in a comprehensive solution that will involve a Palestinian state and resolve outstanding issues between Israel and Lebanon and Syria," he said.
He said Israel and Palestinian new leadership should recognize that violence and terror must end and that risks must be taken to get start with the road map.
Powell's talks with Assad were also to tackle Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group and needed calm in south Lebanon.
In what could be seen as a clear message, the reporter of al-Manar, Hezbollah's TV station, was prevented from attending Powell's briefing at the Sheraton Hotel in Damascus.
Information officials at the U.S. embassy confirmed to UPI that al-Manar's correspondent was asked to keep away and was not allowed to join the others journalists for the morning news briefing.
At midday, Powell was expected to fly to Beirut for similar meetings with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and other top officials.
