Word: syria
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...some ways, it is regrettable that the rotation does not make a bigger difference. That reflects the stalemate in the region more broadly. The Arab states, hostage to Syria and its unique style of diplomacy, cannot formulate a policy to confront their two big challenges: the Arab-Israeli conflict and Iraq-Iran war. Indeed for many, including the oil-rich Arab states of the Gulf, it is the latter which directly threaten them and has top priority. To some that may seem a good thing. But the Arab-Israeli conflict has a peculiar tenacity. If the results of the Gulf...
Jacobsen's dramatic trip to freedom capped a week of swirling diplomatic activity in the Middle East, centered on Britain's break in diplomatic relations with Syria on Oct. 24. That action followed the conviction of a would-be bomber of an El Al plane who had received assistance from Syria's embassy in London, whose trial exposed the Damascus terrorist connection that had been long suspected but never proved. The U.S. supported Britain by withdrawing its ambassador from Syria, and last week Secretary of State George Shultz characterized Syria's role in the foiled bombing episode as beneath contempt...
Stung by such signs of opprobrium, Syrian President Hafez Assad evidently embarked on a damage-control campaign by addressing the one issue that could restore some of Syria's image in the West: the 20 foreigners held hostage by Shi'ite extremists in Lebanon. As he has in the past when it served his purposes, notably in the release of TWA passengers hijacked to Beirut in 1985, Assad asserted his authority with the Shi'ite groups and apparently arranged for at least a token hostage release. Waite, whose patient efforts to end the hostage crisis were well known to Syria...
...Syria plays such a vital role in Middle East politics, thought, that most European countries were unwilling to rally behind Britain's diplomatic efforts against Damascus. At a meeting early last week of European Community foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Britain tried to enlist the support of its partners. The session, though, quickly became what one British participant called a "small disaster." The other countries made it clear that they wanted to play no part in the campaign for sanctions. Six of the twelve E.C. member nations did not even bother to send their foreign ministers. A British proposal that...
...representatives limited themselves to a statement declaring that they "shared the United Kingdom's sense of outrage" at the El Al incident and at the fact that "state agencies" were involved. Though Syria was never mentioned, Greece would not even go along with this mild rebuff...