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Bush rival breaks Syria boycott US Democrat set for Syria talks
(about 2 hours later)
US House speaker Nancy Pelosi has arrived in the Syrian capital for a visit which the White House has criticised as undermining US policy.US House speaker Nancy Pelosi has arrived in the Syrian capital for a visit which the White House has criticised as undermining US policy.
She was received in Damascus by Foreign Minister Walid Muallim and is expected to meet President Bashar al-Assad. She was received in Damascus by Foreign Minister Walid Muallim and will meet President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday.
The top Democrat brushed off criticism, saying dialogue with Syria was key to solving the Iraq and Lebanon crises.The top Democrat brushed off criticism, saying dialogue with Syria was key to solving the Iraq and Lebanon crises.
The Republican Bush administration has boycotted Syria since the 2005 murder of Lebanon's former PM Rafik Hariri.The Republican Bush administration has boycotted Syria since the 2005 murder of Lebanon's former PM Rafik Hariri.
President Bush said Ms Pelosi's trip to Syria sent "mixed signals" that undermined US-led efforts to isolate the Syrian president.President Bush said Ms Pelosi's trip to Syria sent "mixed signals" that undermined US-led efforts to isolate the Syrian president.
"Photo opportunities and/or meetings with President Assad lead the Assad government to believe they're part of the mainstream of the international community, when, in fact, they're a state sponsor of terror," Mr Bush said."Photo opportunities and/or meetings with President Assad lead the Assad government to believe they're part of the mainstream of the international community, when, in fact, they're a state sponsor of terror," Mr Bush said.
Before arriving in Syria, Ms Pelosi pointed to the visit of Republican representatives Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts and Robert Aderholt, who met President Assad on Sunday.Before arriving in Syria, Ms Pelosi pointed to the visit of Republican representatives Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts and Robert Aderholt, who met President Assad on Sunday.
"I didn't hear the White House speaking out about that," Ms Pelosi said."I didn't hear the White House speaking out about that," Ms Pelosi said.
'Brave lady''Brave lady'
Ms Pelosi, wearing a headscarf, visited the tomb that contains the head of St John the Baptist in the Old City of Damascus on Tuesday ahead of talks with Mr Assad on Wednesday.Ms Pelosi, wearing a headscarf, visited the tomb that contains the head of St John the Baptist in the Old City of Damascus on Tuesday ahead of talks with Mr Assad on Wednesday.
She also visited the outdoor Bazouriyeh market, chatting with locals who offered her dried figs and nuts.She also visited the outdoor Bazouriyeh market, chatting with locals who offered her dried figs and nuts.
Ms Pelosi is reported to be the highest-ranking US politician to visit Syria since bilateral relations deteriorated in 2003, when the US invaded neighbouring Iraq.Ms Pelosi is reported to be the highest-ranking US politician to visit Syria since bilateral relations deteriorated in 2003, when the US invaded neighbouring Iraq.
Syrian state media have hailed the visit as "positive", with the Syria Times describing Ms Pelosi as a "brave lady".Syrian state media have hailed the visit as "positive", with the Syria Times describing Ms Pelosi as a "brave lady".
"American legislators, Democrats as well as Republicans, are aware that US policy in the region, especially the war in Iraq and its ties with Syria, is a fiasco that must be repaired," said Tishrin newspaper."American legislators, Democrats as well as Republicans, are aware that US policy in the region, especially the war in Iraq and its ties with Syria, is a fiasco that must be repaired," said Tishrin newspaper.
"(Syria) is ready for serious and sincere dialogue with the US officials," it added, saying it saw "great hopes of a rebalancing of US policy in the region"."(Syria) is ready for serious and sincere dialogue with the US officials," it added, saying it saw "great hopes of a rebalancing of US policy in the region".
A UN investigation has implicated Syrian officials in the killing of Mr Hariri, despite a strong denial from Damascus.A UN investigation has implicated Syrian officials in the killing of Mr Hariri, despite a strong denial from Damascus.
Ms Pelosi has already held talks in Israel, and correspondents say she is expected to transmit Israel's views on the long-stalled Syria-Israel peace track.Ms Pelosi has already held talks in Israel, and correspondents say she is expected to transmit Israel's views on the long-stalled Syria-Israel peace track.
Syria demands the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel in 1967.Syria demands the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel in 1967.