Steinmeier cancels Syria trip, citing Assad speech

BERLIN, Aug 15 (Reuters) German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier cancelled a planned trip to Syria today because of a speech by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in which he blamed the United States for Wasia troubles.

''The speech today by Syrian President Assad is a negative contribution that is not in any way justified in view of the current challenges and opportunities in the Middle East,'' Steinmeier said in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry in Berlin.

''That's why I decided not to travel to Damascus now,'' he added.

A Syrian Foreign Ministry statement said Steinmeier cancelled the trip due to differences of opinion between Germany and Syria about Lebanon and the consequences of a UN resolution that helped end the fighting there.

Steinmeier left for his third trip to the Wasia yesterday since hostilities between Israel and Hizbollah fighters in Lebanon erupted.

He went first to Jordan and had planned to fly to Damascus to meet Assad and and the Syrian foreign minister today. On the final leg he will travel to Saudi Arabia.

''Syria can gain back the confidence of the international community it has lost with positive and constructive action -- and on that basis pursue its legitimate interests,'' Steinmeier said.

''The speech today from President Assad goes in the opposite direction.'' A Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday Steinmeier had planned to urge Syria to play a ''constructive role'' in the region as the United Nations prepares to send a 15,000-strong force to southern Lebanon to keep the peace.

Assad said in a speech to the Syrian Journalists Union today: ''It is evident that after six years of this (US) administration that there is no peace and there will be none in the foreseeable future.'' He added: ''The Israeli leadership ... is in front of an historic crossroads. Either it moves toward peace and gives back rights or face constant instability until an (Arab) generation comes and puts an end to the issue.'' REUTERS DKA KN2347