U.S. Seeks to Keep EU Deal With Syria on Hold
The Bush administration wants the European Union to delay signing a trade and aid pact with Syria, citing doubts the regime has withdrawn all intelligence agents from Lebanon and concern about its role in Iraq, U.S. and European officials said.
Diplomats said some in Europe were preparing to push ahead with signing the Association Agreement to reward Syria for pulling its soldiers out of Lebanon after nearly 30 years. But a U.S. official said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told an EU delegation last week that such a step would be premature.
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