Adverse impact is expected on Syrian - US relations

The US administration on Monday strongly criticized Damascus over what it called the "failure... on the part of Syrian security officials to bring the demonstrators under immediate control," as demonstrators attacked the US embassy and ambassador's residence during a protest on Saturday against the US - British attacks on Iraq last week.

US State Department deputy spokesman James Foley said that Syrian security measures were "woefully inadequate," adding that a strong US objection was presented to Syrian sides in the US and Damascus. He added that Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa has submitted a full apology, but he noted, "We are deeply concerned about their failure to provide adequate security in accordance with international legal obligations."

Foley added that among these was the failure to control the situation as soon as the demonstrators started to attack the American properties and destroy them. "We also hold the Syrian government fully responsible for the damages caused."

Western sources in Damascus expected "adverse consequences" on bilateral relations between Damascus and Washington, noting a decision taken by the US embassy to stop granting non-immigrant Syrian citizens entry visas to the US indefinitely.

The sources added that Washington's decision to "limit" the importance of what its embassy had undergone has been revealed it its "calm behavior" towards this problem, contrary to its usual reaction in similar cases. The sources attributed the American "cool reaction" to two factors: Washington does not want to open a new door for escalation with the countries of the region after the confrontation with Iraq, and US State Department will take protective measures to ensure its security.

The sources asserted that al-Sharaa submitted "a high" apology to the US ambassador in Damascus, Ryan Crocker, and that al-Sharaa asserted that what happened was not done with the consent or at the request of the Syrian government.

The western sources stated that the attack on the American embassy was a result of the rush of the Syrian youth, in response to what had taken place in Iraq. It ruled out any Communist, ethnic or Islamic attitudes or background for the said rush.