ineffective;
conservative religious leaders; Muslim Brotherhood

International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,
CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA,
IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO,
ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU,
WHO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Walid MUALEM
chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313
FAX: [1] (202) 234-9548

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher W. S. ROSS
embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street No. 2, Damascus
mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone: [963] (11) 333-2814, 333-0788, 332-0783
FAX: [963] (11) 224-7938

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with two small green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line
centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen, which has
a plain white band and of Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an
Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band;
also similar to the flag of Egypt, which has a symbolic eagle
centered in the white band

Economy
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Economic overview: During 1990-92 Syria's state-dominated economy
benefited from the Gulf war, increased oil production, good weather,
and economic reform. Economic growth averaged roughly 10%. The war
led to a Syrian aid windfall of nearly $5 billion from Arab,
European, and Japanese donors. Most positive economic trends ended
in 1993 due to the dissipation of the Gulf war boom, a domestic
financial crisis, and economic policy missteps. Economic growth has
dropped below 5%, income inequality is increasing, the government
budget deficit is growing, and international accounts are weakening.
For the long run, Syria's economy is saddled with a large number of
poorly performing public sector firms and low industrial
productivity. Oil production is likely to ebb by the end of the
decade. Unemployment will likely rise as the more than 60% of the
population under age 20 moves into the labor force. The economic
benefits of any peace treaty with Israel will depend in large part
on the pace of economic reform.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $91.2 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4.4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $5,900 (