Syria: We helped in Iran-Britain dispute

[madokie]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/iran_britain_syria



DAMASCUS, Syria - Syria played a key role in resolving the standoff over the 15 British sailors and marines held by Iran, two government officials said Wednesday.

"Syrian efforts and the Iranian willingness culminated with the release of the British sailors," said Information Minister Mohsen Bilal.

He said Syria had been asked "to help positively in the issue of British" crew members since their March 23 seizure by Iran in the Persian Gulf.

(snip)

Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem told reporters that "Syria exercised a sort of quiet diplomacy to solve this problem and encourage dialogue" between Britain and Iran.

[Casper Alabaster]

1. I know! :) n/t

:smoke:

[Ino]

2. Hmmm... I wonder who asked them to help?

"Al-Moallem, who also did not give any details on the Syrian mediation, spoke at Damascus international airport before the departure of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for Saudi Arabia."

:toast:

[annabanana]

3. According to Corpomedia, she didn't say anything about them and

Syria said "nossingk, NOSSINGK!"

This will get no coverage. It doesn't support the party line.

[KiraBS]

4. This is really interesting....

The Americans has been chomping at the bit to attack both Syria and Iran but
this hostage situation has made it impossible for the British to get involved as the route to diplomacy has been opened up. Iran has made a peace offering gesture, Britain has work on diplomatic channels and got our 15 sailors freed with Syria's help and made Iran look reasonable.
I never did believed the Blair was interested in war with Iran because he is about to leave office, it is just the wrong timing and we are starting to withdraw our troops from Iraq. I wonder whether that has closed the line of communication down between him and Dubya, which allowed our government to approach Nancy Pelosi who then just happened to be going to Syria.
That works well too because she is well received, Syria are not the dark force that hates the west but is useful and the benefits of diplomacy and not bombs has been championed, which is embarrassing to the hawks in Washington DC.
The US media may attack her but the result is better relations and 15 families in the UK are very relieved.