IRAQ AND SYRIA RESTORE DIPLOMATIC TIES

The governments of Iraq and Syria have signed an agreement restoring diplomatic ties after twenty four years of broken relations between the two countries. Many see this as a breakthrough and a possibility of quelling the violence that has been troubling Iraq and especially the entrance of fighters from the two neighboring countries of Iran and Syria. From a strictly diplomatic stand point this on the surface looks like the major breakthrough that Iraq has been seeking as they work to build a Democracy and allow their citizens the protection and security that any country would want yet has evaded Iraq because of terrorism and sectarian violence. The problem as is well known stems from the participation of both Iran and Syria in supplying arms and personnel to continue the fight against a free Iraq. So again on the surface this looks to be a breakthrough in ending the insurgency and insuring a free Iraq. Beneath the surface there are several questions concerning the true intentions of Syria and Iran. I mention both together even though the agreement was with Syria since it is also well known that the two countries work in conjunction with each other so this agreement was not without the consent of Iran.

Question number one - is Syria serious about becoming a partner in a Democratized Iraq ? Democracy is a far cry from what the Syrian government offers to their own citizens and they have also shown that it is a form of government that they do not desire in the region. Evidence this by their continued involvement in Lebanon. Inspite of an elected government in the country Syria has undermined through Hezbollah the overtures for Democracy in Lebanon and caused the current government to collapse. Why would one think that they have different intentions and design for Iraq ?

Question number two - as a new partner will Syria stop the flow of 50-75 new insurgency fighters that enter Iraq each day seeking to destroy the fledgling Democracy ? Syria and Iran despite the fact that the entire world knows that they are behind much of the violence that is taking place in Iraq and calls by The United States and other countries for their involvement to end continue to pour fighters, weapons and financing into the insurgency. If Syria is serious about becoming a partner in the new and Democratized Iraq then they must show a willingness by stopping the flow of insurgency from their borders.

Question number three - is Syria sincere or is this another ploy by Syria with the backing of Iran to deceive Iraq into a false sense of security with her neighbors to give them opportunity to make a move in over throwing the Democracy of Iraq ? Both countries have a history of using diplomatic means as a ploy of deception to allow time to develop weaponry, military strategy or just to bring a false sense of security in order to allow Iran and Syria to make a move against those with whom they are sending diplomatic signals. Iran is using a similar strategy in the current nuclear situation in order to continue unabatedly to develop their nuclear program. Why would either country who have been proven untrustworthy in the past change their stripes now to create a diplomatic and peaceful relation with a Democratized Iraq ?

Question number four - is Iraq and the coalition so tired of the situation in Iraq that they are willing to accept this agreement with Syria at face value and not with a great deal of apprehensiveness and caution ? To be quelled into a false sense of security with Syria and Iran especially with the deceptive history of both countries would spell disaster for Iraq and all possibilities for the full establishment of the Democratized government and stability in the country.

Iran and Syria have proven that they are countries that cannot be trusted. Signing a diplomatic agreement to restore relations with Syria is a good step but this new found, "partnership, " should be watched as a soldier would watch as he tries to sleep on a battlefield, with one eye open and weapon at the ready and his buddy standing guard.

Ken Taylor