Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Pelosi Says has Hope, No Illusions Over Syria Trip

NYT

BEIRUT (Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Monday she had ``no illusions but great hope'' for her talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad this week which she said would focus on the fight against terrorism.

Pelosi, speaking during a brief visit to Lebanon, said it was ``an excellent idea'' for her and her high-level delegation of politicians to visit Syria after the White House criticized the trip.

``When we go there we'll be talking about the overarching issue of the fight against terrorism and the role that Syria can play to help or to hinder ...,'' Pelosi told reporters after talks with Lebanese majority leader Saad al-Hariri.

``We think it's a good idea to establish the facts, to hopefully build some confidence between us,'' she said. ``We have no illusions but great hope.''

The White House has condemned Pelosi's plans to visit Syria and meet Assad, who the United States has accused of helping destabilize the region.

It reiterated its objection on Monday to Pelosi's visit.

``It sends the wrong message to have high-level U.S. officials going there to have photo opportunities that Assad then exploits,'' spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Pelosi said she would also discuss Syria's role in Iraq and its support of militant groups like the Palestinian Hamas movement and Lebanon's Hezbollah group. ......

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