"Middle East Ready to Begin New Dialogue"
Trust in Syria's New Government... Hope for Gaza Ceasefire
Expectations for Improved Turkey-Israel Relations
Tom Barrett, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria, is seen getting out of a vehicle escorted by security personnel as he arrives at the government building in Beirut, Lebanon, on the 19th (local time) to hold talks with Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon. Photo by AP Yonhap News
Tom Barrett, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria under President Donald Trump, stated on the 29th (local time) that he hopes the recent war between Israel and Iran will serve as an opportunity to ease tensions in the Middle East, and that Israel will begin discussions for peace with Syria and Lebanon, both of which have been its traditional adversaries.
In an interview published that day by Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, Ambassador Barrett said, "President Ahmed Alshara of Syria has made it clear that he does not hate Israel, holds no religious grudge against Israel, and wishes for peace along the border," conveying this message.
Ambassador Barrett stated, "What happened between Israel and Iran is an opportunity for all of us to say, 'Let’s stop now and open a new path,'" adding, "The Middle East is ready to begin a new dialogue."
He further emphasized, "Everyone will return to the Abraham Accords." The Abraham Accords, which normalize relations between Israel and historically antagonistic Islamic and Arab countries in the Middle East, are one of President Trump’s key foreign policy initiatives.
On this day, Ambassador Barrett also said, "There are misunderstandings regarding territorial claims," and expressed his hope that "discussions and communication will take place between Syria and Israel, as well as between Lebanon and Israel."
Ambassador Barrett said, "Why can’t we live peacefully? Whatever my religious practices may be, they are simply personal beliefs and are separate from politics," predicting, "Syria will be the first to go through this process, and Lebanon will follow suit."
He specifically mentioned, "The only country we are dealing with is the Syrian government," expressing confidence in the current transitional government that ousted the Bashar al-Assad dictatorship in December last year.
Ambassador Barrett also addressed the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, which has lasted for over 18 months since October 2023, saying, "I believe a ceasefire will be achieved in Gaza in the near future," and adding, "There will be progress as Israel goes through steps to resolve the conflict."
He also commented on the recently heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel, saying, "We can return to the excellent relationship we had in the past."
Ambassador Barrett officially assumed the position of U.S. Special Envoy for Syria on the 23rd of last month. It was the first official visit by a U.S. ambassador to Syria in 13 years, since the United States closed its embassy there in 2012.
Since the Bashar al-Assad regime was ousted after losing the Syrian civil war in December last year, the United States has moved to normalize relations with Syria's new government. During his Middle East tour last month, President Trump met directly with President Alshara and lifted sanctions against Syria.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
