War (of Words) with Syria
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Saturday, Apr 19, 2003
UPI via Washington Times -- April 19
Analysis: On the road to Damascus
By Claude Salhani
DAMASCUS -- Accusations by several Bush administration officials that Syria possesses chemical weapons and may be harboring some of Iraq's leading Baathists -- now on the run -- have been received in Damascus with concern and trepidation.
The concern stems from what the United States might do next as it consolidates its position in Iraq and pursues its vision of the Middle East road map. Many officials here in Damascus fear this map is set on a course that could lead to disaster for them, as well as for the United States.
"We are afraid," admitted a senior government official to United Press International. "These are the same warnings the Americans made to Iraq six months ago. It started out with small accusations and ended up with an invasion of the country."
At the same time the Syrian official warned the Americans that they, too, should be worried. "They are awakening religious consciousness in the Arab world that is very dangerous and that will come back to haunt them."
The official, who asked not to be named, explained America's invasion of Iraq could unleash Islamic forces that could turn Iraq into an Islamic country. "This is not something America wants and not something Syria wants either," he added.
AP via Salon.com -- April 18
Syria divides Democratic candidates
Nedra Pickler
WASHINGTON -- Now that Saddam Hussein has been removed from power in Iraq, a new military issue is dividing Democrats running for president, how to deal with Syria.
Presidential candidate Bob Graham, a Florida senator who voted against the resolution authorizing force against Iraq, suggested military action against Syria might be necessary.
"We threw a few cruise missiles into the terrorist training camps in Afghanistan ... that's what we may have to do in Syria," he told the Orlando Sentinel after an appearance during the weekend in his home state.
[An overview of recent moves to ease tensions: visa restrictions, US congressional delegation, softer tone in Syrian government press.]
Ha'aretz -- April 19
Syria tightens visa restrictions on Iraqis
DAMASCUS - In an apparent effort to counter U.S. charges that it is giving safe haven to former members of Saddam Hussein's regime, Syria has banned any Iraqi not already holding a visa from entering the country, airline sources confirmed Saturday.
The conciliatory gesture was another sign that Syria is seeking to ease tensions with Washington over Iraq ahead of an expected visit soon by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the United States Congress arrived Saturday in Damascus to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad to discuss the U.S.-backed road map for Middle East peace and U.S. accusations against Syria.
[This opinion piece out of Beirut discusses the reshuffling of the Lebanese cabinet.]
The Daily Star -- April 19
Prepared for the worst
Michael Young
It was a pity former Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf was not in Beirut this week. He would have been ideal to sell the preposterous official line that the change of government in Lebanon had nothing to do with American pressures on Syria.
Several things can be said about the new government. First, neither President Emile Lahoud nor Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is happy with it. The two never got along, but the previous arrangement gave them enough followers so that they were satisfied. The latest team will mostly include men whose primary loyalty is owed to Syria, so that what we now have is a government of obdurate apparatchiks.
...
The government also provides the Syrians with several options. It has the ideological coloring necessary to allow them to stifle Hizbullah if that becomes imperative, but also to cover for a full or partial Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon if Damascus deems this necessary to protect its eastern flank. One should watch and see what Syrian President Bashar Assad does in the coming weeks, particularly if the Bush administration raises the heat on him by making demands on Hizbullah and on Damascus-based militant Palestinian groups.
...
There is another problem: By turning the government into a bastion of pro-Syrian diehards, Damascus has brought Lebanon into the front lines of its dispute with the United States. We should expect to get hit by Washington’s backhands, whether directed against Hizbullah or the economy. That’s a pity. Acting tough is useful only if you have the resources to endure. Syria and Lebanon do not.
At least we can take solace in the fact that by standing united we might fall much the same way.
Michael's blog, beirut calling
[Some detail on the proposed sanctions.]
NewsMax -- April 19
The Return of the Syria Accountability Act
In 2002, well before the war in Iraq focused attention on Syria’s terrorist connections, Saddam sympathies, and military aid to the enemy, elements in the U.S. Congress were ready to unload sanctions on the Arab country. Now that stalled effort is back on track with new momentum spawned by a White House that is calling the Hezbollah- harboring country a “rogue nation.”
Last year, Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn., introduced the Syria Accountability Act -- only to see it languish as the Bush administration reportedly worked behind the scenes to quash it as a distraction from Iraq and as inappropriate considering Syria’s ostensible cooperation with the U.S. in ferreting out al-Qaida.
But Rep. Eliot L. Engel, D-N.Y., reintroduced the Syria Accountability Act in the House a week ago, remarking, "I just think it is really time to get tough with Syria."
CNN - April 19
Iraq neighbors urge U.S. to leave
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- The U.S.-led coalition must bring stability and security to Iraq and then remove its "occupying" forces from the country as quickly as possible, foreign ministers from neighboring countries have said.
Represented at the meeting were six countries that border Iraq -- Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait and Jordan -- as well as Egypt and Bahrain.
The ministers meeting in Riyadh Friday also endorsed a proposal floated this week by Syria to make the Middle East a region free of weapons of mass destruction. They also criticized recent comments by Bush administration officials accusing Syria of giving refuge to members of the deposed Iraqi regime.
[An old story, but worth repeating.]
Ha'aretz -- February 18, 2003
Sharon says U.S. should also disarm Iran, Libya and Syria
By Aluf Benn
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday that Iran, Libya and Syria should be stripped of weapons of mass destruction after Iraq. "These are irresponsible states, which must be disarmed of weapons mass destruction, and a successful American move in Iraq as a model will make that easier to achieve," Sharon said to a visiting delegation of American congressmen.
Sharon told the congressmen that Israel was not involved in the war with Iraq "but the American action is of vital importance."
via antiwar.com
Ha'aretz -- April 19
Analysis / Assad begins to fold as the U.S. demands Damascus behave appropriately
By Zvi Bar'el
The verbal missiles cruising in recent days between Washington and Damascus obscured an even more interesting statement made this week. Iranian President Mohammed Khatami said in public that "Iran won't defend Syria if it comes under attack by the United States,"and that "if the U.S. changes its behavior toward Iran, it is possible to consider a change in Iran's policy toward the U.S."
Khatami's statements have a special significance in light of the tensions between the U.S. and Syria, even though they do not have an immediate practical implication.
Islam Online -- April 17
U.S. Presses Syria To Kill Anti-Israel Resistance: DFLP
By Abdul Raheem Ali
CAIRO - The current American and Zionist pressures on Syria are aimed at bringing to a cessation all forms of support rendered by Syria to Arab movements resisting the Israeli occupation, particularly Hezbollah, Secretary General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) Nayeef Hawatma told IslamOnline.net Thursday, April 17.
[Non-information.]
White House -- April 16
Press Gaggle with Scott McClelland, spokesman
Q Any indication that Syria is cooperating?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Syria knows our views. And they know what they need to do. I think there are people closer to the situation there that would be in a better position to brief you on the exact specifics of it -- of the current situation.