- Title: SYRIA: Syria hopes for greater dialogue after Obama win
- Date: 6th November 2008
- Summary: (BN10) DAMASCUS, SYRIA (NOVEMBER 5, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF STREET SCENES
- Embargoed: 21st November 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVABYXMOWLPG7PTJ0VTPIOWGT2X7
- Story Text: Syrians are cautiously optimistic that Barack Obama's presidential victory may help ease tension in the region.
Syrians on Wednesday (November 5) expressed the hope that Barack Obama's U.S. presidential victory, and the end of the Bush era, would have a positive impact on world affairs.
Dr. Mahdi Dakhlallah, former Syrian Minister of Information, told Reuters why the new U.S. administration could help ease international tension.
"We think the atmosphere in the world will be positive because in politics not only the content matters but also the form, method and the atmosphere. Obama's atmosphere will have more dialogue and less domination although the general strategies of the United States will remain the same", said Dakhlallah.
On the streets of Damascus, barbershop owner Qassem al-Homsi was among those hoping the U.S. election result would improve the prospects for peace in the region.
"It does not matter who won, we just want a human being who understands our issues in the East; the Palestine issue and the issues of our countries. Also the attacks against us everyday. America attacks us and Bush attacks us. We hope this person Obama has good intention for the whole region to bring goodness to it."
Relations between the U.S. and Syria remain strained.
Four U.S. helicopters attacked al-Sukkari farm last week in the Albou Kamal area in eastern Syria and U.S. soldiers stormed a building there.
Washington blames Damascus for failing to stem the flow of al Qaeda fighters and other insurgents from crossing into Iraq. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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