The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Damascus

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said that Damascus values dialogue with Washington in a meeting with visiting US Senator Arlen Specter on Saturday, official media reported. Muallem stressed the "importance of dialogue between Syria and the United States on the basis of mutual respect," the state SANA news agency said. He said it was "necessary for the two sides to agree a common platform which would contribute to resolving crises" in the Middle East. Specter arrived in the Syrian capital earlier in the day accompanied by Congressman Patrick Kennedy. Relations between Damascus and Washington have been strained since the US-led invasion of Iraq of 2003. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying his "patience ran out" on the Syrian leader "a long time ago." "So if he's listening, he doesn't need a phone call, he knows exactly what my position is," Bush said at a year-end press conference.