GENEVA — A series of diplomatic moves bringing together longtime Middle East rivals has encouraged European leaders to believe they can play a greater role in the region.
Diplomats at the United Nations’ European headquarters in Geneva said they see the possibility of an initiative that would overtake the Middle East peace “road map” promoted by President Bush.
The idea, diplomatic sources say, is to limit the dominant role of the United States and stress what French President Jacques Chirac has called “a multipolar world.”
At the heart of the new European thinking is what diplomats think may be an emerging bloc made up of Iran, Turkey and Syria.
Syria and Turkey have negotiated several recent protocols on military and security matters, and the trade volume between the two countries has risen to $1 billion.
The effort culminated in a visit to Ankara last week by President Bashir Assad, the first by a Syrian head of state.
Diplomats said the visit was particularly significant because of Turkey’s close relations with Israel, and suggested that it could help pave the way for a warming of relations between Syria and Israel.
Syria and Iran remain on the U.S. State Department’s list of states supporting terrorism, though hopes for an improvement in U.S.-Iranian relations have risen after the American response to the devastating Dec. 26 earthquake in Bam.
Mr. Bush has threatened to impose sanctions on Syria, already approved by Congress, but some European diplomats think that simply would reduce U.S. influence in the region and open the door for a larger European role.
European diplomats do not foresee any quick breakthrough in Syria’s attitude toward Israel. Mr. Assad has said Syria will continue developing weapons of mass destruction if Israel does not abandon its nuclear arsenal, something no one expects it to do.
Iran, surrounded by pro-American states, has hinted that it wants to resume relations with Washington, severed a quarter-century ago.
Iranian Vice President Mohammed Ali Abtahi recently announced plans to restore diplomatic ties with Egypt, a key U.S. ally. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, however, said many hurdles remain.
The French government thinks it is time for Europe to intervene to end Iran’s international isolation.
According to Jacques Baros, a member of the French parliament, “Europe has a better chance of partnership with Iran because Washington still doubts the prospects of a complete opening in that country.”
Europeans also are encouraged by the emergence from isolation of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
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