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US resuming talks with Syria about Iraq border

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-12 06:48

WASHINGTON: The United States is sending a delegation to Syria for talks this week on infiltration of foreign fighters into Iraq.

The talks also are likely to deal with prospects for Mideast peacemaking. The mostly military delegation includes Frederic Hof, an assistant to George Mitchell, a former Senate Democratic leader who oversees U.S. Mideast peacemaking efforts.

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An earlier round of talks was held in June. Hof has been rumored to be in line for nomination as U.S. ambassador to Damascus. The post has been vacant for four years.

"A significant topic of discussion will be, again, ongoing efforts by Syria to help stabilize the situation in Iraq," P.J. Crowley, the State Department spokesman, said.

He said later he was referring to infiltration into Iraq of fighters funneled through Syria.

The talks are part of an acceleration of U.S. engagement with the Arab world and U.S. hopes that Syria can play a constructive role.

Jeffrey D. Feltman, acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, and National Security Council official Daniel Shapiro both have visited Damascus at least twice this year as part of talks aimed at bettering U.S. relations with Syria.