Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 5/15/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SYRIA/KHATAMI (S)

NUMBER=2-303235

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Iran's president is in Syria for talks expected to focus on U-S pressure for an end to support for terrorist organizations. VOA's Greg LaMotte reports from our Middle East Bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: The issue of support for anti-Israeli groups like Hezbollah is expected to be high on the agenda Thursday when Iranian President Mohammad Khatami meets with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.

Hezbollah is on the State Department's list of terrorist organizations.

The United States is calling on both Iran and Syria to end their support for terrorists, with particular pressure on Syria, which has closer ties to the west. On Wednesday, White House national security adviser Condoleezza Rice again accused Iran and Syria of sponsoring terrorism.

Syria's ruling Baath party newspaper (al-Baath) said Thursday Mr. Khatami's visit to Damascus indicates Iran and Syria have something to say about Washington's pressure.

Mr. Khatami arrived in the Syrian capital Wednesday from Lebanon, where he said the differences between Iran and the United states are serious and huge.

(Signed)

NEB/GL/AWP