England Foreign Relations Syria

British hostages in Lebanon will be freed if London restores relations with Damascus, severed four years ago amid allegations of Syrian involvement in terrorism, a government newspaper said in Damascus. The daily Tishrin accused British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's government of blocking efforts to free the four Britons, who are among 11 Westerners held by pro-Iranian Muslim extremists.

British hostages in Lebanon will be freed if London restores relations with Damascus, severed four years ago amid allegations of Syrian involvement in terrorism, a government newspaper said in Damascus. The daily Tishrin accused British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's government of blocking efforts to free the four Britons, who are among 11 Westerners held by pro-Iranian Muslim extremists.

In October, 1986, a spectacular court case in London ended with a rare display of Western resolve. A concerted international campaign was mounted against Syria following allegations that the Damascus government was deeply involved in international terrorism. Britain broke relations with Syria. The United States withdrew its ambassador and imposed economic sanctions. Member nations of the European Economic Community suspended financial aid and banned high-level visits.

In October, 1986, a spectacular court case in London ended with a rare display of Western resolve. A concerted international campaign was mounted against Syria following allegations that the Damascus government was deeply involved in international terrorism. Britain broke relations with Syria. The United States withdrew its ambassador and imposed economic sanctions. Member nations of the European Economic Community suspended financial aid and banned high-level visits.

Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe told his Saudi Arabian counterpart on Wednesday that Britain has no intention of restoring ties with Syria, British officials said. During talks with Prince Saud al Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, Howe said that ties with Damascus will not be restored until Britain has proof Syria is no longer involved in terrorist activities, they said.

Britain is deporting a number of Iraqi Kurds to Syria after rejecting their requests for political asylum, the British government said. London newspapers reported that a Kurdish woman and her 20-year-old son slashed their wrists when told of the decision. Reports on the number of Kurds affected varied from 12 to 13 to 25, and the Home Office declined to release a figure.

Britain is deporting a number of Iraqi Kurds to Syria after rejecting their requests for political asylum, the British government said. London newspapers reported that a Kurdish woman and her 20-year-old son slashed their wrists when told of the decision. Reports on the number of Kurds affected varied from 12 to 13 to 25, and the Home Office declined to release a figure.

Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe told his Saudi Arabian counterpart on Wednesday that Britain has no intention of restoring ties with Syria, British officials said. During talks with Prince Saud al Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, Howe said that ties with Damascus will not be restored until Britain has proof Syria is no longer involved in terrorist activities, they said.