War (of Words) with Syria

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Friday, Oct 17, 2003

Israel "very happy" after US House votes to sanction Syria
AFP via SpaceWar -- October 16, 2003

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Thursday he was "very happy" after the US House of Representatives voted to sanction Syria for its alleged ties to terrorist groups and purported efforts to obtain nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

"I am very happy that the legislation has been passed for this will lead to the isolation of Syria," Shalom told public radio.
- mark 10-17-2003 11:29 am [link]

US House of Representatives passes Syria sanctions act
The Jerusalem Post -- October 16, 2003


- mark 10-17-2003 11:26 am [link]

Is Syria Next?
The Nation -- October 16 2003


- mark 10-17-2003 11:23 am [link]

Syria on alert in case of Israeli attack
Reuters -- October 16, 2003


- mark 10-17-2003 11:17 am [link]

Facing US sanctions, Syria responds with olive branch
Christian Science Monitor -- October 17, 2003


- mark 10-17-2003 11:15 am [link]

Monday, Oct 13, 2003

Iran warns Israel over reports of planned air strike
Ha'aretz -- October 13, 2003

By News Agencies and Haaretz Service
TEHRAN - The Iranian government issued a warning to Israel over reports appearing in a German news magazine Monday that Jerusalem was researching how to strike Iranian nuclear sites.
- mark 10-13-2003 11:23 pm [link]

Sneh dismisses report Israel modified Harpoon missiles on submarines
Associated Press via Jerusalem Post -- October 12, 2003

Israeli and foreign defense experts Sunday dismissed a report that Israel had modified submarine-based missiles to carry nuclear warheads, saying such a modification was technically impossible.

The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday that Israel had modified some of its nuclear warheads to fit US-made Harpoon cruise missiles and upgraded the missiles so they could hit targets on land in addition to maritime ones, according to two US officials and one Israeli official.

Israel made the modifications in response to Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions, the Times reported. Both the US and Israel see Iran as an implacable enemy and say it is close to developing nuclear weapons that might be used against Israeli targets.

Former Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Efraim Sneh called the assertion that Israel had made the Harpoon nuclear "impossible."

"Anyone with even the slightest understanding of missiles knows that the Harpoon can never be used to carry nuclear warheads," Sneh told Army Radio. "Not even (Israel's) extraordinarily talented engineers and its sophisticated defense industries can transform the Harpoon into a missile capable of doing this. It's simply impossible."

Ted Hooton, editor of Jane's Naval Weapon Systems in London, echoed Sneh's assessment, saying that problems with payload weight would put the Harpoon out of balance, drastically limiting its range and accuracy.
- mark 10-13-2003 10:25 pm [link]

Sunday, Oct 12, 2003

Israel plans to invade Syria: Mahathir
AFP via Khaleej Times and Al Jazeerah -- October 11, 2003

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia - Israel plans to invade Syria and drag the United States into the war, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Saturday.

“Israel has been urging America to invade Syria, but America seems to be reluctant. So, in order to force the hands of America, Israel is going to invade Syria,” Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.
- mark 10-12-2003 10:14 am [link]

Syria, Israel Engaged In War Of Words
IslamOnline -- October 11, 2003

DAMASCUS (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Syria and Israel were engaged in a war of words Saturday, October 11, with Damascus saying it reserves the right to retaliate Israeli attacks and Tel Aviv arguing that countries "harboring terrorist organizations" are legitimate targets.
- mark 10-12-2003 10:07 am [link]

Sharon Acts Tough, Sensing U.S. Assent
New York Times -- October 12, 2003


- mark 10-12-2003 10:02 am [link]