Syria Transcript: US Sends Ambassador so Damascus Can Challenge Hezbollah

On Saturday, State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley briefed the press on the appointment of Robert Ford as the ambassador to Syria. His explanation of the decision was far from consistent. If the matter  has nothing to do with "placing ambassadors in countries with which Washington has significant disagreements", why is there no ambassador to Tehran or an attempt to build official dialogue with Hamas-ruled Gaza? Why just Damascus?

The answer? Washington wants to assign "a constructive role" to Syria, such as dealing with the "Hezbollah concern" in Lebanon and in the region:

Crowley: To continue on with the rest of the world, so to speak, earlier this afternoon, the Secretary of State swore in as the new United States Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford. He is one of our most qualified U.S. diplomats. He is tough, principled, and skilled with a proven track record. He is exactly the right person for this job.

We have significant interests in Damascus and across the Middle East. Being without an ambassador serves no purpose other than to disadvantage the United States. A high-level representative in Damascus will make it possible to deliver strong, consistent messages to the Syrian Government and further U.S. interests and security. Putting an ambassador in Damascus should not be viewed as a reward to the Syrian Government. It improves our ability to deliver firm messages to the Syrian Government and to articulate clearly our concerns and priorities to Syria. 

Question: Can I go back to the appointment – to the assumption of duties by Ambassador Ford for a second? You mentioned, Mr. Crowley, that this should not be perceived by Syria as a reward. How should it be perceived? Is it – I mean, are relations back on track? Is there improvement in relations? And how do – how should we interpret this? 

Crowley: We have ambassadors in place in countries with which we have significant disagreements. Our ambassador is there to serve the U.S. interests and to, on a daily basis, be able to communicate our views to the Syrian Government. I would say if other groups, including Hezbollah, have the opportunity to communicate with Syria every day, the United States should have that same opportunity.

QUESTION: Okay, but just a quick follow-up. Considering that the former ambassador was pulled out at a very low point in U.S.-Syrian relations, should we consider that we are now beyond that low point, that we are at a better point?

Crowley: That’s a tough one to answer. We obviously want to see Syria play a constructive role. It has at times. We have great concerns about activities that Syria has engaged in, in the context of its ongoing support for Hezbollah. So – but this is why we have chosen to place our ambassador in Damascus at this time.