Rice Meets Syrian Foreign Minister.

Secretary of State Condi Rice met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem for thirty minutes today during an international conference on Iraq held in Egypt.

"The meeting was frank and constructive. We discussed the situation in Iraq and how to achieve stability," Moualem told reporters.

According to the Rueter's report "The meeting marks an abrupt change in the policy of U.S. President George W. Bush, who stopped contacts with Syria on the grounds that Damascus had not complied with U.S. demands."

Secretary Rice also exchanged pleasantries with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki during lunch.

Thank you Madam Speaker for showing Condi how to do her job. Now if her boss would just follow your lead we might find our way safely out of Iraq.

Baby steps, Condi, baby steps. This diplomacy stuff is hard work, hard work, but you will get the hang of it. Maybe you ought to call your "big sister" Madeleine Albright. I am sure she can give you some pointers.

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For those wondering about the Madleine Albright reference, Secretary Albright's father was Condi Rice's professor and mentor.