Washington confirms request to Damascus to close Islamic Jihad offices
Syria-USA, Politics, 11/20/2002

The US Department of State yesterday announced that it had asked the Syrian authorities to close the offices of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Damascus.

US State Department spokesman Philip Reeker, said that the American ambassador in Damascus Theodore Qattouf "submitted this case to the Syrian government and expressed concern" after the Islamic Jihad announced from Damascus responsibility for the attack which took place last Friday ' in the city of Hebron.

Reeker explained that Qattouf explained "through our strong position that the Syrian authorities have to close the offices of these organizations like the Islamic Jihad which has been involved in acts of violence and terrorism in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza." Reecker continued "I think you know that Syria is on the list of terrorism sponsor countries, and this because they are supporting groups like the Islamic Jihad and that the Syrian government knows this our long concern."

Reecker added that "it is in the interest of Syria to join the ranks of the international community." Reecker was answering a question on Syria's rejection of the American request. The spokesman said " as for their limited reply ( the Syrians), I will leave this for the Syrian government. We will continue to express this very position" the same the US has been doing for a long time.

Previous Stories:
  Washington calls Israel to stop sorties over Lebanon; Damascus refuses closure of al-Jihad offices   (11/19/2002)
  Al-Hayat: Syrian- American dialogue   (11/16/2002)
  Al-Watan: Stumbled US contacts with the US on the Iraqi issue   (11/14/2002)

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