  By ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press Writer DAMASCUS, Syria - Iraq (news - web sites)'s interim leader said Saturday that diplomatic relations between Syria and Baghdad likely will be restored soon, after years of hostility and recent tension over foreign fighters sneaking into Iraq along their shared border. Speaking to reporters after meeting with the Syrian president, Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said new formal ties "will surely happen. " "Relations will be restored and they will be strong," Allawi said. "It is clear that our visit here is the beginning of a bright chapter in relations between our two brotherly people.
We are opening a new page with Syria. " Syria's official news agency, SANA, said Allawi and Syrian President Bashar Assad agreed to resume diplomatic relations "as soon as possible. " The two countries broke off ties in the early 1980s when war began between Iraq and Iran. -- Somehow I think this is a bad idea. Hmmm...I wonder why? Negotiating with Assad, the chinless wonder. Andrew B. 
