France, U S agree useless to talk to Syria-Chirac

RIGA, Nov 29 (Reuters) France and the United States agree there is no point in talking to Syria because the conditions for an honest dialogue do not exist, President Jacques Chirac said today.

His comment came as U S President George W Bush is under strong domestic pressure to talk to Syria and Iran in an effort to reduce sectarian violence and avert civil war in Iraq.

Speaking after a NATO summit in Latvia, Chirac said he was always in favour of dialogue in principle provided it led to results and was based on honesty and a commitment to carry out what was agreed.

''In the current state of affairs, this is not exactly the characteristic of the dialogue which some European countries have started with Syria. I deplore that,'' Chirac said.

''I understand that the American president's position is exactly the same as France's,'' Chirac said.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem accused Paris on Tuesday of trying to destabilise his country.

France took the lead with Washington last year in a United Nations resolution to force the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, a close friend of Chirac.

REUTERS PDM BS1917