The Hindu : International : Differences growing: U.S.

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Thursday, Feb 17, 2005

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International

Differences growing: U.S.

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, FEB. 16. The U.S. has stepped up the pressure on Syria by announcing that its Ambassador in Damascus, Margaret Scobey, is being recalled for urgent consultations even as the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, talked of "growing differences" with Syria.

"The Syrian Government is unfortunately on a path right now where relations are not improving but are worsening," said Dr. Rice after a meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister.

U. N. concern

The Security Council expressed grave concern at the killing of the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri, and a Presidential statement approved by all the members called for a report from the Secretary-General on the "circumstances, causes and consequences" of the killing. It also expressed concern over the "further destabilisation" of Lebanon and called on all parties to "cooperate fully and urgently" for the implementation of a resolution that called for Lebanon's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

The U.S. has not directly accused Syria of a hand in the assassination but has used the developments to point to Damascus' role in Lebanon. "When something happens in Lebanon, Syria needs to help to find accountability for what has happened there. There is a part of the destabilisation that takes place when you have the kind of conditions that you do now thanks to Syrian interference," said Dr. Rice calling for a "full investigation."

The State Department spokesman said the American Ambassador, Ms Scobey, delivered a message to Damascus expressing "profound outrage" at the "heinous act of terrorism."

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