Syria Woos Eu in the Person of the Spanish King

Syria lavished its hospitality on the king of Spain yesterday at the start of a state visit which is seen as bolstering the country despite Israeli and American pressure.

The four-day visit - the first by King Juan Carlos - comes two weeks after Israel bombed an alleged terrorist camp near Damascus and as legislation to impose sanctions on Syria goes through the US Congress.

At the People's Palace yesterday, the king and President Bashar al-Assad smiled and chatted as officials signed deals to boost tourism and investment, and then toured the historic Umayyad mosque in the old city.

Spanish support is especially comforting for Damascus because Spain gave strong backing to the US-led invasion of Iraq. It has since broken ranks with Washington over Syria, making it clear that it does not view Syria in the same light as pre-war Iraq.

Although Syria has long been on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, the Spanish defence minister, Federico Treo, said recently that Spain disagreed.

Spain also condemned the Israeli air strike against Syria on October 5, which, says Israel, hit a training camp used by militants. Syria says the base was abandoned years ago.

The Syrian foreign minister, Farouk al-Sharaa, said yesterday that the king's visit "reflects the historical ties between Spain and Syria" although many observers say that Damascus sees good ties with the EU as a way of protecting itself against the US.

Mr Sharaa, who said that Syria hopes its association agreement with the EU will be signed this year, insisted Syria was not trying to play off the Europeans against the US.

"We want dialogue with the Americans," he said.

Washington shows little interest in dialogue at present. Last week, the House of Representatives approved the Syrian Accountability Act - instigated mainly by supporters of Israel - which aims to penalise Syria for keeping its forces in Lebanon and backing militant groups opposed to Israeli occupation. It still has to be approved by the Senate.

There is thus the bizarre prospect of the US imposing sanctions while Europe offers enhanced trade.

Yesterday, Mr Sharaa said that Syria's attitude toward terrorism had been misunderstood. "We have never been friendly with al-Qaida."