Syrian Foreign Ministry: U.S. has No Right to Interfere in the Content of
the Talks to Be Held during the Saudi King Visit to Damascus

Jul 29, 2010
www.sana.sy/eng/21/2010/07/29/300797.htm

Damascus, (SANA - Syrian news agency) - An official source at the Syrian
Foreign Ministry voiced Thursday the Ministry's astonishment over the
content of the statement made on Wednesday by the US State department
spokesman as it is neither of the United States' tasks, nor it has right to
outline our relations with the region countries, or to interfere in the
contents of the talks to be held during the Saudi King visit to Damascus.

The source underlined that Syria and Saudi Arabia are independent states
belonging to this region, and know more than others the interests of the
people of the region and how to work as to achieve these interests away from
any foreign interference, and are the most able to define their policies in
realization of security and stability in the region.

Al-Ibrahim/ Zahra
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Philip J. Crowley

Assistant Secretary of State
Daily Press Briefing

Washington, DC

July 28, 2010
www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/07/145324.htm
QUESTION: The visit by the king of Saudi Arabia with Assad to Lebanon have
lots of symbols. Do you see this as an effort, with your help, to distance
Syria from Iran?

MR. CROWLEY: Well, we have made clear that Syria's relationship with Iran is
of concern to us. And to the extent that Syria wants to advance its
relations within the region and around the world, it would be much better
for Syria to distance itself from Iran and move in a more constructive
direction.

The relationship between Syria and Iran gets Syria very, very little and -
but Syria has the opportunity to play a constructive role in the region. We
think it has failed to do so in recent years in significant ways. That's one
of the reasons why we have chosen to engage Syria to deliver that message
directly. And to the extent that Syria would listen to other leaders in the
region, such as King Abdullah, we think that President Assad and other
Syrian leaders should listen very attentively to what King Abdullah will
tell them.

QUESTION: What I was saying, P.J. - it's nothing new. (Laughter.) I have
said many times that what U.S. is doing --

MR. CROWLEY: Goyal, Goyal, Goyal, come on.

QUESTION: -- is at the United Nations level.

MR. CROWLEY: Thank you.

(The briefing was concluded at 2:20 p.m.)