The Wall Street Journal: Secret talks between Washington and Damascus to release an American journalist
The Wall Street Journal revealed that the US administration has held new talks with Damascus to release the missing journalist in Syria, Austin Tice, and other Americans.
US officials revealed that US negotiators held a series of meetings in the Sultanate of Oman with Syrian officials to secure Tice’s release, but the talks have so far failed to achieve any breakthrough.
The Wall Street Journal pointed out that the talks may resume in the coming weeks, noting that the US negotiators encouraged Assad to take the talks seriously.
The Wall Street Journal added that US officials told Damascus that resolving the Tice case could help end its international isolation.
Damascus wants to ease US sanctions, and that Assad is very concerned about the US Captagon Act, which would hinder his return to the Arab League.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Washington Post newspaper that Washington is in intensive contacts with Syria and other countries about Tice, but White House spokeswoman Karen Jean-Pierre refused to confirm any meetings in this regard.
