Berlin acknowledges criticism from Beirut, Washington over Moallem visit
Germany confirmed Friday that the United States and Lebanon had complained about this week”s visit of the Syrian foreign minister to Berlin but denied it had “rolled out the red carpet” for him. Deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said Chancellor Angela Merkel”s office had received criticism about the invitation extended to Walid Moallem to talks with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier and members of Parliament.
Steg said it was “not unusual for allies” to raise questions or objections after diplomatic meetings are announced, when asked about reports on the complaints from the US and Lebanon.
“The chancellery forwarded these declarations on to the Foreign Ministry,” he said.
Spokesman Martin Jaeger of the Foreign Ministry, which invited Moallem to the meetings on Thursday, said only Berlin had “made note of this position.”
Steg said it was unclear why the US and Lebanon had sent the letters to the chancellery and not the Foreign Ministry.
The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported Friday that the United States and Lebanon had complained that Steinmeier”s invitation to Moallem was a premature reward before Syria had proved it was ready to play a “constructive role” in resolving conflicts in the Middle East.
Several newspapers also reported criticism from Merkel”s conservative Christian Democrats over the invitation made by Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, noting that the chancellor had not received Moallem.
Moallem offered assurances after his talks with Steinmeier Thursday that Damascus would work toward progress the Middle East peace process and Lebanon, as the German foreign minister held out the prospect of stronger European ties if Syria made “visible, constructive” efforts.
Jaeger indicated that the talks between Moallem and Steinmeier behind closed doors had been open and frank and sharply rejected the conservatives” criticism.
“We did not roll out the red carpet,” he said.
Jaeger added that Merkel had said publicly this week that she expected Syria to help foster the peace process between Israelis and the Palestinians and an end to the Lebanese political crisis.
He added that Steinmeier was actively courting Syria as a key potential partner for peace following Washington”s own invitation to Damascus to a conference in November in Annapolis, Maryland.
At that meeting, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to set the end of 2008 as a target date for a comprehensive Middle East peace agreement.