DAMASCUS, Syria -- Secretary of State Colin Powell on Saturday turned aside the idea of immediate U.S. support for an Arab-backed U.N. resolution on ridding the Middle East of weapons of mass destruction -- a proposal obviously aimed at Israel.
Going into his meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, Powell said clearing destructive weapons from the region is a longstanding U.S. goal, but now is not the time to address that matter.
Syria introduced such a resolution in the U.N. Security Council on Friday. Ambassador Mikhail Wehbe said it could enhance the chances for peace in light of the new U.S.-backed "road map" to peace that is now before Israelis and Palestinians.
"I think it is a goal that we have to pursue over time, and not ... at the moment of any particular declaration that might be put forward for political purposes, or to highlight the issue," Powell told reporters.
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