And Yet Another Republican Visits Syria While Bush Criticizes Pelosi But Ignores GOP Trips

AP reports: DAMASCUS, Syria: A visiting U.S. congressman held talks with President Bashar Assad Thursday, a day after a congressional delegation headed by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparked controversy by meeting the Syrian leader. U.S. President George W. Bush has rejected direct talks with Damascus and criticized Pelosi for her visit. Commenting on Bush's criticism, California Republican Darrell Issa said the president had failed to promote the necessary dialogue to resolve disagreements between the U.S. and Syria. "That's an important message to realize: We have tensions, but we have two functioning embassies," Issa told reporters after separate meetings with Assad and his foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem. Issa, a Lebanese-American who frequently travels to the region, said he and other members of Congress would continue to encourage the Bush administration to engage Syria. via Think Progress