Official: Syria ready for direct U.S. talk

DAMASCUS, Syria, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Syria is fully prepared to begin talks with U.S. officials without an international mediator's assistance, Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said Saturday.

The Syrian official said it's up to U.S. officials to prompt such "dialogue" on issues of import between the two countries, such as control of the Golan Heights in the Middle East, the Kuwait News Agency KUNA reported.

"There are direct relations between the two countries. When the U.S. wants to launch this dialogue, we will be ready just as we used to be," al-Muallem said.

The foreign minister suggested U.S. officials examine Europe's change of attitude toward Syria before initiating talks. European countries such as France have recognized Syria as a stabilizing force in its geographic region, al-Muallem said.

The official also downplayed any potential talks between Syria and Israel with the United States serving as an active player in sponsoring such negotiations, KUNA reported.

"The basic thing in this sponsorship is the U.S. role due to the existing strategic relation between the U.S. and Israel." al-Muallem said. "The U.S. is not ready for peace."